MV Happenings - Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council

January 28, 2014
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY
HIGHER EDUCATION
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ARTS, CULTURE, NATURE, RECREATION
State Senators serving the Merrimack Valley have received their committee assignments for the
2015-16 session:
State Senator Eileen M. Donoghue (Lowell) has been named Senate co-chair of the
Legislature’s Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
•She will also serve as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education
•and as a member of the Joint Committees on Transportation, Municipalities and Regional
Government; and Labor and Workforce Development.
State Senator Barbara L'Italien (Andover) has been named Senate co-chair of the
Legislature’s Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. She will also serve as
Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs and as a member of the Joint Committees on
Higher Education, Health Care Financing, Education, and Community Development and Small
Businesses.
State Senator Kathleen O'Connor Ives (Newburyport) has been named Senate co-chair of
the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses and as a
member of the Joint Committees on Higher Education, Financial Services, and Consumer Protection
and Professional Licensure.
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State Senator Kenneth J. Donnelly (Arlington) has been named Assistant Majority Whip for
the Senate, and will serve as Vice Chair, Joint Committee on Election Laws and a member of the
Joint Committees on Public Service and Mental Health and Substance Abuse.
State Senator Michael J. Barrett (Lexington) was named Vice Chair, Joint Committee on
Labor and Workforce Development and will serve as a member of the Joint Committees on Veterans
and Federal Affairs, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, Public Service, Health Care
Financing, Elder Affairs, and Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
State Senator Bruce E. Tarr (Gloucester) was elected Senate Minority Leader
Northern Essex Community College’s Marketing & Communications Department will receive the
prestigious Paragon Award for Print Advertising from the National Council of Marketing and Public
Relations. The award recognizes NECC’s “Yes You Can” series.
The Town of Tewksbury has made the reconstruction and revitalization of Route 38 –
Main Street - its top priority.
 The Lowell Sun: Special section: A Preview of the Town’s Plan to Reinvent Route 38
o Route 38 project requires a collaborative effort - Beverly Woods, NMCOG
o Tewksbury reconstruction brings economic potential
o Funds needed for Route 38 upgrade - Richard Montuori, Town Manager
o Miceli: When I get a chance, I recommend Tewksbury
o Wamesit Lanes to brighten town's 'gateway'
2015 North of Boston Business Plan Competition: open to businesses in Essex County
and the Merrimack Valley; 1st Prize $10,000; 2nd Prize 5,000, 3rd Prize $3,000; application deadline
Friday, February 20, 5:00 p.m.; info/application
Tewksbury-based Altiostar Networks has raised $50 million in new
funding. Altiostar makes hardware for cell phone towers. Altiostar has more than 200 employees
worldwide, with about 40 in Tewksbury.
 Boston Business Journal: Cisco-backed Altiostar Networks raises $50M
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Metrigraphics, LLC, which makes precision microcomponents for biomedical companies, will move its headquarters from Wilmington to Lowell. The
company employs 76 people, and will create 29 new full-time jobs, aided by a city tax incentive
valued at $1.3 million over 13 years.
 The Lowell Sun: Metrigraphics set to land in Lowell
Haverhill-based Radio station WHAV was recently awarded a grant by the Haverhill and
Massachusetts Cultural Councils to expand on its “Haverhill Heritage Series.”
 WHAV: Haverhill Cultural Council Grant a Cure for News Amnesia
The City of Amesbury and Town of Salisbury are taking a collaborative
regional approach to seek federal grants that provide assistance to low-to-moderate income
homeowners.
 The Daily News of Newburyport: Together, Salisbury and Amesbury apply for CDBG funds
A 2024 Summer Olympics in Boston would bring significant activity to the
Merrimack Valley, with the possibility of Olympic rowing competition on the Merrimack River, and
other events at UMass Lowell facilities. Lowell Senator Eileen Donoghue was one of the first
leaders to promote the idea of Boston hosting the 2024 Olympics.
 The Lowell Sun: Lowell on world stage if Olympics comes to Boston
Andover’s town manager Reginald “Buzz” Stapczynski will retire after 25 years.
 The Eagle-Tribune: Andover town manager calls it quits; Stapczynski to retire in June
after 25 years on the job
Eric Kfoury has been appointed by Town Manager Andrew Maylor as director of
community and economic development for the town of North Andover.
 The Eagle-Tribune: North Andover appoints new community and economic development
director
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
 MVPC 2015 Winter Newsletter
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City of Lowell - Office of Economic Development
 City of Lowell January Business Resource Calendar
 Research-and-development companies in Lowell will no longer have to pay personal
property taxes on their core equipment.
o The Lowell Sun: Personal property-tax exemption for Lowell R&D firms
 The City of Lowell is seeking proposals to redevelop the Smith Baker Center property for “arts,
entertainment, performance and other uses such as a function hall, restaurant, etc.” Info.
City of Lawrence
 The Boston Globe: Brockton, Lawrence, Waltham have development wish list for Charlie
Baker
City of Haverhill
 Money Magazine’s 2014 rating of best cities rated Haverhill as one of the top five small cities
in which to live in Massachusetts.
o WHAV: Downtown Developer Buys Former Winter St. School for Apts
 An underutilized building in Haverhill’s downtown will be transformed into ground floor retail and
upper floor market-rate live/work space, “JM Lofts.”
o WHAV: Former Surplus Office Supply to Become J.M. Lofts Housing
 WHAV: State Designates Haverhill to Receive Downtown Aid
HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS
Northern Essex Community College
 NECC online newsroom
In February, NECC Haverhill’s Campus will become home to the state’s newest Police Recruit Officer
Training Academy.
 WHAV: State Police Academy Opens at NECC’s Haverhill Campus
 WHAV: Employers and Colleges Build the ‘Talent Pipeline’
 NECC has launched NECClink – an online job posting system that allows local business and
community partners to make jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities available to NECC
students and alumni.
o Press release: Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer Opportunities Wanted
 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
Middlesex Community College continues to expand its presence in downtown Lowell.
The Lowell Sun: MCC secures $10M for new Lowell space
 The Lowell Sun: Mabry approved as MCC president
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 The Lowell Sun: Mabry brings long record as education leader to MCC's top job
o The Lowell Sun: MCC's star trek lands Capt. Kirk for Celebrity Forum
 MCC’s Community Education and Career Training programs offer open enrollment,
professional development courses on the Bedford and Lowell campuses, including MS Excel; MS
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
 Workforce Training Fund Programs - free Information Sessions:- learn About accessing grants
to train your employees; for companies of all sizes  Wednesday, February 25, 8:30 -10:30a.m., Lowell campus
 Thursday, April 2, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Bedford campus
 Wednesday, May 20, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Lowell campus
UMass Lowell news & events
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker visited UMass Lowell in his first week on the job to
announce a 4 million grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to establish a
Printed Electronics Research Collaborative. UML alumni Robert Manning and his wife Donna donated
an additional $4 million.
 UML press release: Gov. Baker Announces $4M Grant to Fuel Printed Electronics Cluster
- University Receives Additional $4M from Alumni for Business, Nursing Programs
 The Lowell Sun: Baker helps UMass Lowell celebrate MassTech grant, alumni donation
 Boston Business Journal: UMass Lowell set to expand campus initiatives with a $4M
grant and a $4M donation
Merrimack College news & events
Salem State University Enterprise Center at Salem State University
 Laura Swanson has been named Executive Director of the Enterprise Center at Salem
State University.
 2015 North of Boston Business Plan Competition: open to businesses in Essex County
and the Merrimack Valley; 1st Prize $10,000; 2nd Prize 5,000, 3rd Prize $3,000; application
deadline Friday, February 20, 5:00 p.m.; info/application
Suffolk University MBA -North Campus, Lawrence
Cambridge College Lawrence
Boston University’s Metropolitan College offers a Master of Science in Computer
Science, a variety of IT courses and an MBA program at its North Campus in Chelmsford
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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY GROUPS
Entrepreneurship for All. – “E for All”
Get Your Pitch Ready for 2015! Apply to win thousands of dollars in cash prizes, receive valuable
feedback from industry experts, and network with Investors; 2015 Pitch Contests:
 Thursday, January 29: Consumer Products and Services
 Thursday, April 16: All Ideas – apply by April 2
The newly formed Lawrence Partnership is bringing together an array of
public and private sector resources in the city, focused on economic development.
 The Eagle-Tribune: Lawrence Partnership hosts launch party
 The Lawrence Partnership is hiring an Executive Director – click here for job description
and application information
The Lowell Plan - Video "Lowell: A 2020 Vision,"
Essex County Community Foundation
 The Boston Globe: Danvers-based foundation names new CEO
Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Merrimack Valley Venture Forum
 MVVF news – January 5, 2015
Greater Merrimack Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau
North of Boston Convention &Visitors Bureau
 Friday, January 30, 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: 9th Annual North of Boston CVB Tourism Summit;
DoubleTree Danvers; luncheon keynote speaker: t. Governor Karyn Polito; info/register
Greater Lawrence Young Professionals Network (GLYPN)
Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board
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ValleyWorks Career Center
 Thursday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Clipper City Job Fair; Masonic Hall, 31 Green
Street, Newburyport
Greater Lowell WIB
 GLWIB newsletter
Career Center of Lowell
Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce
 Chamber news - January 26, 2015 edition
Young Professionals of Greater Lowell
 Thursday, February, 5, 5:00- 7:00 p.m.: Networking with the Greater Lowell Chamber of
Commerce; Bahama Breeze, 413 Middlesex Road, Tyngsborough; free
Westford Business Association
Salisbury Chamber of Commerce
Amesbury Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Foundation
 Amesbury Chamber News – January 26, 2015 edition
Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 Greater Newburyport Chamber News –January 21, 2015 edition
Billerica Community Alliance
Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce
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Merrimack Valley Small Business Center
 MVSBC news - January 26, 2015 edition
Lawrence CommunityWorks
Groundwork Lawrence
Team Haverhill
 News - January 26, 2015 edition
Merrimack Valley Transportation Management Association (TMA) - working to address
employee transportation issues in I-93 and I-495 corridors of the Merrimack Valley
Junction Transportation Management Organization, Inc. (JTMO)
 December/January news
Boston North Business Association
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
Merrimack Valley Magazine - January/February 2014 - Cover: The Valley’s Snowy Owls
Click here for dozens of fine restaurants in the Merrimack Valley
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Blue Ocean Music Hall on the ocean at Salisbury Beach
Friday, January 30, 8:00 p.m.: Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show; $15$22; info/tickets
Saturday, February 7, 8:00 p.m.: 6th Annual New England Winter Blues Festival -James
Harman, Mr. Nick & The Dirty Tricks, Ricky "King" Russell, and Cheryl Arena; info/tickets.
Friday, February 27, 8:00 p.m.: Tom Rush; $36.50-$45.50; info/tickets
Saturday, February 28, 8:00 p.m.: Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, with Diane Blue; $25$29; info/tickets
Discover Haverhill- arts, culture, dining, recreation
New Moon Coffeehouse, Universalist Unitarian Church, 16 Ashland St, Haverhill
 Saturday, February 21, 8:00 p.m.: Parkington Sisters; $20
Haverhill Historical Society, 240 Water St., Haverhill
John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace, 305 Whittier Rd, Haverhill
 Closed for the season, reopening in spring
CITY OF LOWELL CALENDAR
The Cultural Organization of Lowell (COOL)
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COOL Arts & Entertainment News - January 22, 2015 edition
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
2014-2015 Moses Greeley Parker Lectures
Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell
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Ayer Lofts Gallery, 172 Middle Street, Lowell
 Through February 1: "New Work" by Britny Savary-Bersani
Arts League of Lowell, 307 Market St., Lowell
 ALL Cooperative Gallery Weds.-Sat., noon-6:00 p.m., Sunday, noon-4:00
 Through February 22: Grey Scale
The Brush Art Gallery & Studios, 256 Market Street, Lowell
 January 17 - February 28: Impressionism from the Cape School of Art
Western Avenue Studios, 122 Western Avenue, Lowell - six floors in two buildings with
245 studios filled with artists working in all disciplines, media and styles.
 Saturday, February 7, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.: Open Studios
Loading Dock Gallery at Western Avenue Studios
 February 4- March 1: “Unreliable Witnesses" - Chris Volpe and Tom Veirs; reception:
Saturday, February 7, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
119 Gallery, 19 Chelmsford Street, Lowell
Whistler House Museum of Art, 243 Worthen Street, Lowell; open Wednesday through
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
 January 28 - March 7; reception Saturday, February 7, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.: “An Eye For Color” Works by Ann Christensen & Anne Silber
MillWORKS Gallery, Appleton Mills, 219 Jackson St., Lowell
American Textile History Museum, 491 Dutton Street, Lowell
 Through March 29: Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol
Lowell National Historical Park, 246 Market Street, Lowell
Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell
UML Center for Arts & Ideas
UMass Lowell Art Galleries:
 University Gallery, McGauvran Student Center, UML South, 71 Wilder St., Lowell:
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 Dugan Gallery, UML South, 883 Broadway St., Lowell
Merrimack Repertory Theatre, 50 E. Merrimack Street, Lowell
 January 8 – February 1: “The Best Brothers;” (East Coast premiere); tickets $20 - $60.
Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack St, Lowell
New England Quilt Museum, 18 Shattuck St., Lowell
 A Passion for Prussian Blue – Vibrant American Quilts from 1830 to the Present; Saturday,
January 31, 1:00 p.m.: Curator's Reception & Gallery Talk with Anita Loscalzo
Westford’s Parish Center for the Arts
Chelmsford Center for the Arts, 1A North Road, Chelmsford
Essex Art Center, 56 Island Street, Lawrence
 Register for Winter Classes
 Through March 6: “We’re All Fine Here Now” - new work by Boston-based artist Tim McCool
Lawrence Heritage State Park, One Jackson Street, Lawrence
Lawrence History Center, 6 Essex St., Lawrence
Crossroads Music Series, North Parish Church, North Andover
 Saturday, February 14, 8:00 p.m.: Dance Party with Los Sugar Kings; $15
Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, North Andover
 2014-2015 Season
 Tambakos Film Series
 Saturday, January 31, 2:00 p.m.: National Marionette Theatre - "Aladdin;"$12; Family Four
Pack: $40; info/tickets
 Saturday, January 31, 7:30 p.m.: 13th Annual A Cappella Night -Starring Similar Jones, Boston
Jazz Voices & Merrimack College's own Mackapella; $15 advance, $20 at door; info/tickets
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.
 Yankee Magazine: The 5 Best Small Museums in New England
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Acting Out! Theater Company, Inc., 56 Island Street, Lawrence
 Friday & Saturday, January 30& 31, 7:30 p.m.: Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible;” $12; Daly Theater at The
Space, 56 Island St., Lawrence
 Friday, February 27, 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 28, 1:30 & 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, March 1, 3:00 p.m.:
Annie Get Your Gun; Rogers Center for Performing Arts, Merrimack College, North Andover; general
admission $15 advance; $18 at door; reserved seating $20 advance, $23 at door
ACT Theater Company, 1632 Osgood Street, North Andover
Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21, 7:30 p.m.: Rockin' Road to Dublin -Irish dance world
champions Scott Doherty and Ashley Smith, with dancers, singers, 7-piece band; J. Everett Collins
Center for the Performing Arts, Andover; tickets $30-$40
Methuen Memorial Music Hall
Lowell’s Boat Shop, 459 Main St., Amesbury
Whittier Home Museum, 86 Friend Street, Amesbury
“All things Newburyport” – STAY in the LOOP January 2015
 Watch the latest MVEDC/Comcast video: “Newburyport – Historic, Vibrant, Inviting”
 Sunday, January 31, 11:00 a.m. – 3;00 p.m.: Newburyport Winter Carnival -sledding,
skating, snowboarding, snowshoe demonstrations, human dogsled races, hay rides, music,
food, & fun for the whole family; free; Bartlet Mall (High and Pond Streets), Newburyport
Saturday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Merrimack River Eagle Festival; indoor and
outdoor activities - Mass Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River National
Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport
Sunday, February 8, 4:00 p.m.: New England String Quartet concert, First Religious Society
Unitarian Universalist church, 26 Pleasant St., Newburyport; $20, $10 seniors
Custom House Maritime Museum, 25 Water Street Newburyport
Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society
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Historical Society of Old Newbury
Firehouse Center for the Arts, Market Square, Newburyport
 Friday-Saturday, January 30-31: New Works Festival 2015
 Through February 1: Tim Hiltabiddle - 15 Years of Poster Design for the Performing Arts
Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water Street, Newburyport
 Register now for winter session classes and workshops set to begin in February
 January 9- 31: Winter Members Juried Show, Part I - Digital Art, Drawing, Oil, Printmaking,
Sculpture, and Watercolor
March 6 - 28: Storm Surge Art Exhibition; artists are invited to submit works that
use the creative power of art to inform, engage, and inspire local action on climate change; open to
NAA Members and Non-members; info/call for entries.
Joppa Flats Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Newburyport
Essex National Heritage Area
 ENHA News – January 8, 2015 edition
Coastal Trails Coalition - Year-end newsletter
Greenbelt - Essex County’s Land Trust
“Pollinator” film/lecture series; Cox Reservation, 82 Eastern Avenue (Rt. 133), Essex, MA; free, open
to the public:
 Thursday February 5, 6:30 p.m.: screening of the documentary, “Vanishing of the Bees,”
 Thursday, March 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: lecture by Gloucester gardener, designer and filmmaker
Kim Smith on “Planting an Essex County Pollinator Garden”
 Thursday, April 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: lecture by Harvard Professor Dr. Alex Lu on “Pesticides
and Bees in Essex County”
Merrimack Valley Winter Sports Facilities:
 Ski Bradford, Haverhill
 Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford
 New England Sports Park, 12 S Hunt Road, Amesbury - snow tubing
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 The Boston Globe: Having a blast tubing down the hill in Amesbury
For cross-country skiing and snowshoeing:
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Harold Parker State Forest, Andover/ North Andover
Georgetown-Rowley State Forest
Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest
Ward Reservation Andover/North Andover
Old Town Hill, Newbury
Weir Hill, North Andover
Tattersall Farm, Haverhill
The Merrimack Valley
Economic Development Council
Thanks our Major Sponsors for 2014:
PLATINUM ($20,000+)
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
GOLD ($10,000+):
SILVER ($5,000+):
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