MV Happenings - Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council

June 24, 2015
QUICK LINKS:
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
HIGHER EDUCATION
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY GROUPS
ARTS, CULTURE, NATURE, RECREATION
Gov. Charles Baker has released a capital spending plan that earmarks $5.9 million for
design of a new courthouse complex in Lowell’s Hamilton Canal District.
 The Lowell Sun: Gov juices Lowell Judicial Center with $5.9M design promise
 The Boston Globe: Baker unveils long-term financial plan
The New York Times featured an editorial about the ongoing success of
the turnaround of the Lawrence public schools.
 New York Times: Massachusetts Takes On a Failing School District
Developer David Piscatelli plans to convert Lowell s Highland Building into about 50 highend apartment units. The former mill complex is Located close to the former Prince Spaghetti factory,
where the Markley Group will invest $200 million to create a data-storage center.
 The Lowell Sun: Turning mills into living space
UMass Lowell has opened new business incubator facilities aimed at growing
startups in the fields of medical devices and technology. The facilities, located in Lowell’s Hamilton
Canal District complement the existing Medical Device Development Center (M2D2) medical device
incubator at the Wannalancit Business Center, also in Lowell.
 The Lowell Sun: Two floors, no ceiling on invention
 Boston Business Journal: UMass Lowell has new incubator program for medical devices,
innovation
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Newburyport-based Opportunity Works Inc., which
assists adults with disabilities and their families, is opening its new facility in Haverhill.
 WHAV: Opportunity Works Opens Haverhill Building Next Week
The Boston 2024 Olympic Committee is considering a number of Merrimack Valley
venues for Olympic events, including Lowell, Westford and Billerica.
 The Lowell Sun: Billerica takes its shot at Olympic spotlight
 Boston Business Journal: Boston Olympics plan to use Nashoba Valley is news to owner
of Nashoba Valley
1,164 electricity-generating solar panels have been added on the roof of the Leewood building in
Haverhill. Northern Essex Community College is buying the output of the additional arrays. NECC
expects to save $250,000 in energy costs over the next 20 years and NECC students will benefit from
a “living solar lab” as part of the agreement.
 WHAV: Northern Essex Buys Solar Power From Newark St. Rooftop
Eleven Merrimack Valley employers will receive a
total of more than $900,000 to provide customized training to their employees in the latest round of
state Workforce Training Fund grants:
 American Science & Engineering, Billerica - $110,200
 Insulet Corp., Billerica - 167,680
 Qvidian Corp., Chelmsford – $110,260
 Morgan Scientific, Haverhill - $25,200
 Greater Lawrence Community Action Council, Inc. - $45,000
 Cortron, Inc., Lowell - 198,576
 Enterprise Bank & Trust Company - $170,970
 Berkshire Manufactured Products, Inc., Newburyport - $70,650
 Bradford & Bigelow, Inc., Newburyport - $246,762
 Spincraft – MA, North Billerica - $90,630
 Innovative Products and Equipment, Tyngsborough - $53,195
 Baker Administration Awards More Than $10.4 Million in Workforce Training Grants
 WHAV: Haverhill Medical Supply Firm Receives $25K Training Grant
 Thursday, June 25, 9:00 - 10:30a.m.: Information Forum on the Workforce Training Fund
Program, Council Chamber, Lawrence City Hall, 200 Common Street; open to all businesses
in the Merrimack Valley; limited seating – RSVP online.
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MassDevelopment, the state’s quasi-public economic
development and financing agency, has named Noah Koretz as a “Transformative Development
Initiative” (TDI) fellow to work in Haverhill.
 WHAV: MassDevelopment Names Koretz to Aid Downtown Haverhill District
 WHAV: Downtown Haverhill Businesses Eligible for New Loan Program
MassDevelopment CEO Marty Jones recently appeared on Comcast Newsmakers,
discussing the agency’s role in transforming the Commonwealth’s Gateway Cities.
 Comcast – Marty Jones
With assistance from MassDevelopment, the former Varnum Elementary School in Lowell has been
converted to housing for veterans.
 The Lowell Sun: Lowell's Varnum School morphs into veterans housing
Billerica-based American Science and Engineering Inc. has landed an $11.6 million
multiyear contract from a Latin American government agency. AS&E employs about 300 people at its
Billerica headquarters,
 The Lowell Sun: AS&E lands $11.6M contract in Latin America
Congratulations to Rumbo News, the only bilingual newspaper in the
Merrimack Valley, now beginning its 20th year of publication.
Entrepreneurship for All – “ EforAll” has named three new team members - Franky
Descoteaux, Executive Director, Lowell - Lawrence; John Conley, Chief Operating Officer; and
Mary Beth Burwood , Program Manager, Lowell – Lawrence; info
Two Merrimack Valley life science companies have received Milestone Achievement Program
grants from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. Cre8MDI in Chelmsford received $200,000, and
Akita Innovations, Inc. in Billerica received $168,955.
 The Lowell Sun: Biotech companies land state grants
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
 MVPC’s 2014 Annual Report focuses on regional economic development, which has been a
priority of the Merrimack Valley Mayors and Managers Coalition.
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City of Lowell - Office of Economic Development
 The Lowell Sun: International data-storage firm to purchase Prince plant
 The Lowell Sun: Lowell City Council OKs tax break for Prince site
 The Lowell Sun: Saturday Chat - City should honor Meehan
 The Lowell Sun: State bullish on Lowell's Hamilton Canal
 The Lowell Sun: Saturday Chat - Working together is key to success
 Video: City of Lowell, MA- Alive Unique Inspiring
 MVEDC/Comcast video: Lowell: Portrait of a Creative City
City of Lawrence
 Thursday, June 25, 9:00 - 10:30a.m.: Information Forum on the Workforce Training Fund
Program, Council Chamber, Lawrence City Hall, 200 Common Street; open to all businesses
in the Merrimack Valley; limited seating – RSVP online.
City of Haverhill
WHAV: Fiorentini Hosts Mayors for Transportation, Education Talk Wednesday
WHAV: Downtown Haverhill Businesses Eligible for New Loan Program
WHAV: Harbor Place Commercial Building to Become ‘Pentucket Bank Plaza’
All five floors of downtown Haverhill’s Harbor Place project, planned for the site of the former
Woolworth building, are now sold or leased. Two floors will be occupied by a satellite campus
of UMass Lowell.
 WHAV: Accountant Buys Top Floor of Harbor Place; State Adds to Investments
 The Eagle-Tribune: Harbor Place ‘sold out’ - Downtown rebirth rolls on in Haverhill
 MVEDC/Comcast video: Haverhill – 21st Century Renaissance
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HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS
UMass Lowell news & events
Northern Essex Community College
 WHAV: English Classes Come to Three Haverhill Food Firms
 Register for Non-credit Courses and programs
 NECC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education offers credit and non-credit courses
and assists Merrimack Valley employers with writing workforce training grants.
Middlesex Community College
 The Boston Globe: Community colleges customize offerings for local workforce
 MCC’s Community Education and Career Training programs offer open enrollment,
professional development courses on the Bedford and Lowell campuses, including MS Excel; MS
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Access; Technical Writing Certificate, Web Design Certificate, Project Management/PMP Exam
Prep; Meeting and Event Management; HR Essentials; SHRM Exam Prep; RN Refresher; info
 MCC Business and Industry Programs - workforce training grants; credit & non-credit courses
 Community Education at Middlesex Community College -May Newsletter
Merrimack College news & events
Salem State University Enterprise Center at Salem State University
Suffolk University MBA -North Campus, Riverwalk, Lawrence
Cambridge College Lawrence
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY GROUPS
Entrepreneurship for All
 EforAll news – May 27, 2015
Middlesex 3 Coalition
 Middlesex 3 Transportation Management Association (TMA)
 The Boston Globe: Suburbs, businesses eager to attract and retain millennials
 Bedford Minuteman: Middlesex towns inaugurate Alewife-to-work shuttle service
 The Lowell Plan - Video "Lowell: A 2020 Vision,"
The newly formed Lawrence Partnership is bringing together an
array of public and private sector resources in the city, focused on economic development.
 The May-June issue of Merrimack Valley Magazine features an article on The Lawrence
Partnership
 Rumbo News: Latino businesses meet with Lawrence Partnership
Essex County Community Foundation
Greater Lowell Community Foundation
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Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
North of Boston Convention &Visitors Bureau
Greater Lawrence Young Professionals Network (GLYPN)
Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board
ValleyWorks Career Center
Greater Lowell WIB
Career Center of Lowell
Merrimack Valley Small Business Center
 MVSBC news - May 22, 2015 edition
Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce
Young Professionals of Greater Lowell
Salisbury Chamber of Commerce
Amesbury Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Foundation
 The Daily News of Newburyport: Cerasuolo to step down as Chamber director
Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
WHAV: Mortimer Becomes Chairman of Greater Haverhill Chamber
Billerica Community Alliance
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Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 Newburyport Chamber News – June 15, 2015 edition
Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce
Groundwork Lawrence
Lawrence CommunityWorks
 Mill Cities Leadership Institute
United Teen Equality Center (UTEC)
Team Haverhill
 Team Haverhill news – June 10, 2015 edition
 WHAV: Ninth Shoe Bench Joins ‘Soles of Haverhill’ Series
Merrimack Valley Transportation Management Association (TMA
Junction Transportation Management Organization, Inc. (JTMO)
ARTS, CULTURE, NATURE, RECREATION
Merrimack Valley Radio 980 WCAP – Thursdays, 9:10 a.m.:
MVEDC’s Dave Tibbetts offers highlights of this week’s “Merrimack Valley happenings”
 Listen online.
MVArts.info - convenient on-line ticketing for Merrimack Valley. arts and culture
The May-June issue of Merrimack Valley Magazine features an article on The Lawrence
Partnership
Click here for dozens of fine restaurants in the Merrimack Valley
Athenian Corner, 207 Market St., Lowell
 Thursday Night Concerts on the Corner - Thursday, June 25, 8:00 p.m.: “Thr33”
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Cobblestones of Lowell, 91 Dutton Street, Lowell
 Thursdays, starting June 25, 5:00 p.m. to sunset: “Thirteen Thursdays” - Weekly Summer
Patio Parties - grill, live music, drink specials
Life Alive, 194 Middle St., Lowell
 The Boston Globe – Life Alive provides an urban oasis for vegetarians
SeaGlass Restaurant & Lounge – on the Atlantic Ocean at Salisbury Beach - made the
People.com Top Ten list of restaurants with spectacular views!
Heritage Farm Ice Cream & Restaurant, 163 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell
Monday Nights, 6:00 p.m.: classic car show; 7:00 p.m.: free outdoor concert, Sampas Pavillion,
Pawtucket Boulevard, Lowell
Blue Ocean Music Hall on the ocean at Salisbury Beach
 Friday June 26, 8:00 p.m.: 92.5 The River presents The Weight; reserved table seating: $25
- $35, + $3 additional day of show
Creative Haverhill- Discover Haverhill
 Haverhill Gazette: Haverhill Art Market opens in restaurant district
Essex Chamber Music Players
 Sunday, June 28, 2:00 p.m.: “ Growing Up in North Andover 1872 -1894” by Horace N.
Stevens, music by William Thomas McKinley; Hartleb Technology Center, Northern Essex
Community College, Haverhill; $15; $10 seniors and students.
o NECC Newsroom: Historical Memoir Is Focus of Chamber Concert
Winnekenni Castle, Kenoza Lake, Haverhill
New Moon Coffeehouse, Universalist Unitarian Church, 16 Ashland St, Haverhill
Buttonwoods Museum, 240 Water St., Haverhill
John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, 305 Whittier Rd, Haverhill
 Weds; Fri., 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Sunday: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
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CITY OF LOWELL CALENDAR
The Cultural Organization of Lowell – COOL - has launched a new website and logo
to reflect the City's diverse and dynamic cultural community: http://www.cultureiscool.org/
 COOL Arts & Entertainment News – June 18, 2015 edition
African Festival - Saturday, June 27, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. -–
music, dance, food, crafts; Sampas Pavilion, 160 Pawtucket Blvd., Lowell
Zeitgeist Gallery, 167 Market Street, Lowell
Mandarin Asian Bistro, 24 Market Street, Lowell
 Through June 30: contemporary landscape painter Debra Bretton Robinson
Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra
 Sunday, July 12, 3:00 p.m.: Summer Pops Concert, Shedd Park Pavilion: 433 Rogers St. (Rt
38), Lowell; free; bring beach chairs and a picnic
Lowell Film Collaborative
” LFC Tuesdays”at The Luna Theater - specially curated independent films & documentaries every
Tuesday; Luna Theater, Mill No. 5, 250 Jackson Street, Lowell; $9.75 adults, $8 students & seniors
Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell
Arts League of Lowell, 307 Market St., Lowell
ALL Cooperative Gallery - Wednesday.-Saturday, noon-6:00 p.m., Sunday, noon-4:00 p.m.
Ayer Lofts Gallery, 172 Middle Street, Lowell
Whistler House Museum of Art, 243 Worthen Street, Lowell
 June 24 - July 25: Lydia Martin: Lotería ll and The Light in Small Towns: Priscilla Levesque;
opening reception Saturday, June 27, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
119 Gallery, 19 Chelmsford Street, Lowell
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The Brush Art Gallery & Studios, 256 Market Street, Lowell
 June 14 – July 26: “Journeys: 13 Perspectives” – 33rd Annual showcase for the thirteen artists
of The Brush
Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell
Loading Dock Gallery at Western Ave. Studios
American Textile History Museum, 491 Dutton Street, Lowell
 Through December 31: Wonder of Wool: Ancient Fiber to Modern Marvel
Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market Street, Lowell
More than half a million people visited Lowell National Historical Park in 2014, making an economic
impact of more than $40 million on the Greater Lowell area.
 The Lowell Sun: Report: National park brought $40M to Lowell area in 2014
Lowell Summer Music Series - Boarding House Park, 40 French Street, Lowell
 Friday June 26, 7:30 p.m.: Mike Gordon; $34 advance, $40 day of concert
 Thursday July 9, 2015 7:30 p.m.: The Wood Brothers; $35 advance, $40 day of concert
 Friday July 10, 2015 7:30 p.m.: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo; $49 advance / $55 day of
Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell
MillWORKS Gallery, Appleton Mills, 219 Jackson St., Lowell
Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell
 Through July 26: Seasonal Palette: Studio Art Quilt Associates
Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St, Lowell
Westford’s Parish Center for the Arts
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Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Road, Chelmsford
 Friday, June 26, 7:00 p.m.: 4th Friday Acoustic Cafe Open Mic; $5; perform or listen
 Saturday, June 27, 7:00 p.m. - Jazz – The Kevin Burgess Project; $15
 Sunday, June 28, 1:00 p.m.: - Ragtime Tea Dance - Commonwealth Vintage Dancers; $20
Essex Art Center, 56 Island Street, Lawrence
June 26 – August 13: opening reception Friday, June 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
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Chester F. Sidell Gallery - : “Theater Things”: costumes, props, set pieces, and various items
crafted for the stage - design and construction by artists for Acting Out Theater Company
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Elizabeth A. Beland Gallery: Kate Delaney - A Show Within A Show Within A Show, a
storytelling experience
Acting Out Theater, 56 Island St., Lawrence
Lawrence History Center, 6 Essex St., Lawrence
Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, North Andover
Crossroads Music Series, North Parish Church, North Andover
ACT Theater Company, 1632 Osgood Street, North Andover
Pentucket Players Inc.
 July 10-12: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum;” Rogers Center for the Arts,
Merrimack College, North Andover
Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover: Free, open to the public;
Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00–5:00 p.m.
 Through July 31: Light/Dark, White/Black
Friday, September 18, 7:30 p.m.: Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood: Two Man
Group, from the television comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” to benefit Northern Essex
Community - College; Collins Center, Andover High School; tickets $50; 978-556-3870 or online
NECC Newsroom: Two Man Group Brings Big Laughs to Merrimack Valley for NECC
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Methuen Memorial Music Hall
 Wednesdays through August 26, 8:00 p.m., Organ Recitals; tickets $12, children: $5
June 25 - July 4: Amesbury Days – sidewalk sales, farmer’s market, concerts
Whittier Home Museum, 86 Friend Street, Amesbury, Open Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lowell’s Boat Shop, 459 Main St., Amesbury
Blue Wave Art Gallery has opened at 52 Main Street in downtown Amesbury
“All things Newburyport” – Stay in the Loop – June 2015
Museum of Old Newbury
Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water Street Newburyport
Joppa Flats Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Newburyport
Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport
 Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28: “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change;” Thursday-Saturday
8:00 p.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m.; $28, $26 seniors
 Firehouse Center news – June 12, 2015 edition
Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water Street, Newburyport
 June 16 – 28: Susan Spellman – Everything and the Kitchen Sin
Salisbury Beach Partnership – free events all summer
 Saturday, June 27, 3:00 p.m.: Flying Horses Country Beach Jam – free country music
festival, outdoor marketplace, activities for kids; fireworks over the Atlantic at 10:15
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Greenbelt - Essex County’s Land Trust
Essex National Heritage Area
Coastal Trails Coalition
The Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council
Thanks our Major Sponsors for 2015:
GOLD ($10,000+):
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
SILVER ($5,000+):
BRONZE ($2,500+):
FRIEND ($1,000):
*** Atlantic Hospitality Group
*** Eaton Vance Investment Counsel
*** Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union
*** The Lupoli Companies
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