In an interview with Invest:, Joe Bevilacqua, president and CEO of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, discussed the advantages that the Merrimack Valley offers for businesses and people to relocate. He also talked about how the chamber of commerce collaborates with both the business community and all levels of government to provide assistance to local businesses.
What have been the most significant economic developments in the Merrimack Valley region over the past year?
The local economy is impacted by what happens on the state, national, and international levels. I am proud of the fact that our economy is still moving forward. We still see investment, new development, and new housing construction. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding what is going on at the international level, and whether inflation will come down or go up again. There is also concern regarding supply chain issues and hiring people as employers cannot find the employees that they need.
What is the role that small and midsize businesses play in the Merrimack Valley business environment?
We are bullish on small business in the Merrimack Valley. We do a great deal of promotion for small and midsized companies as well as with women- and minority-owned companies and young people in business. We are trying to help all those who need assistance, whether it be mentoring or counseling, helping them with financing, or helping them find sites and locations. I am proud that a member of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce was named the Small-Business Person of the Year for Massachusetts.
We are on the New Hampshire border, where there is no income or sales tax. Nevertheless, the Merrimack Valley is very competitive and will continue to grow and be the location to be in Massachusetts.
What sectors have the most potential for growth in Merrimack Valley and how is the chamber supporting business in these industries?
We are concerned about manufacturing in the Merrimack Valley. We have a lot of research companies, but we want to encourage manufacturing. We do that by providing the available industrial space and buildings, labor force, utilities, and a positive tax climate. We do a great deal of that type of assistance.
Additionally, we offer a program of vocational jobs as many manufacturers do not just need Ph.D.s, but also technicians. We also have a program with the vocational high schools Whittier Tech and the Great Lawrence Technical High School. As part of that program, we talk about the importance of vocational jobs. We bring in a businessperson from one of the industries who speaks about why they need those skills.
While we are actively involved in manufacturing, healthcare and education continue to be major employers and other industries, such as tourism and hospitality, are also important. As the board director of the North of Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, we have created a program for tourism, hospitality, and culture. We want people to recognize that there is so much opportunity in the Merrimack Valley, and that you become a visitor once your business meeting is over. We want to showcase our restaurants and our historic and cultural sites.
What is the strategy of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce to deliver value for its members?
Our chamber does not take the membership lightly by any means. Whenever our members call, we go visit them to see what they need and to make connections with them. For instance, we are promoting a winery in North Andover that grows its own grapes. We also have new industries making high tech components for electric vehicles, medical companies such as Pfizer making medicines, as well as hospitals, nursing facilities, and educational facilities.
How is the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce working to bring together public officers and the local business community?
That is very important to us, and we have a good working relationship with government officials. The Merrimack Valley Chamber holds what we call the Government Affairs Series, where we bring business and government together. We recently brought together the mayors and town managers of the Merrimack Valley, the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, federal Congressman Seth Moulton, and Massachusetts state senators from our region.
We have more programs planned as we go forward, but in two and a half months we have had three major government entities. We want the business community to know that the government leaders work with them and with us, and that they are there to help you when you need something. We do at least one ribbon-cutting every week for new and expanding businesses, and we always make sure to invite the mayor or town manager as well as state-elected officials to come and show how their involvement helps businesses grow, expand, and employ people.
What factors make the Merrimack Valley the best place to come and do business?
Merrimack Valley is located 30 miles north of Boston. While Boston continues to experience many transportation issues, the Merrimack Valley does not have those kinds of traffic problems. We also have available land. Many new building designs require new space so people can build horizontally, while also elevating the building to several stories. Those sites are available, and we also have buildings available. We have mills that have been modernized through adaptive reuse to create opportunities for offices, healthcare clinics, financial institutions, restaurants, and housing. We are helping people find spaces in those buildings.
Moreover, Merrimack Valley has a good transportation network with I-93 and I-495. We are also located in the center of New England and close to Manchester Airport in New Hampshire and Logan International Airport in Boston. We also have a small airport right here in North Andover that is owned by the city of Lawrence. Because of that, air transportation to bring people and supplies is very much available.
In terms of labor, we have the educated workforce that everyone needs at different levels and skills. We also have two community colleges, two four year colleges, and two vocational high schools serving us. Whether it is the sites, the buildings, favorable government action, or a workforce development program, we have all those advantages in the Merrimack Valley, and the cost is much lower than in a major city, such as Boston.
What advice would you give to someone who is starting their entrepreneurial journey in the Valley?
The most important factor is to talk to as many people as possible. You should talk to different people including the chamber of commerce and the people in the city or town government, and see what they have to offer in terms of assistance. The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce provides free business counseling in English and Spanish for women- and minority-owned businesses as well as for people who are starting or expanding their businesses, and people who want to relocate to this region. There are many good people who are here to help you come to the Merrimack Valley. This is the best place to do business.
