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The closing of
Haverhill Paperboard is a startling development and a wake up
call indeed!
July 8, 2008
Dear Editor,
The closing of Haverhill Paperboard
is a startling development and a wake up call indeed! Clearly
our first concern is with the families and I believe that the
City and various employment agencies will do the best that they
can to find new jobs for the displaced workers with the current
options available.
The longer view is our city's
economic health and the need for a vastly improved effort to
bring emerging technologies and the associated manufacturing
and trade jobs to Haverhill.
For many years this has been
a major concern of mine. I remind you of my efforts in the past.
Over the last few years, I have helped to lay the groundwork
for Haverhill's entry into these forward-looking markets. I co-chaired
the Green Chemistry Business Summit last Fall at NECC's technology
center, attended by global experts in Green Chemistry and business
development, which demonstrated that Haverhill can be a player
in the global economy. Green Chemistry is the emerging science
of non-toxic manufacturing.
I continue now to work with the
Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Merrimack Valley
Planning Commission, all levels of Government, the business community
and colleges across the Merrimack Valley to develop The Merrimack
Valley Regional Innovation Network at www.ivalley.org to help
facilitate collaborative and creative economic development in
Haverhill and across the region. A regional approach is essential
for an endeavor of this magnitude.
These are ideas and efforts that
have not been creditably pursued by the current administration,
while other cities in the region, such as Lawrence, have been
successfully attracting bio-tech, clean energy and green technology
companies.
I believe an aggressive and multilayered
plan to attract business will work in tandem with the Governor's
initiative which designates Haverhill as one of the State's 16
"growth districts."
The State will help the city
or town clear land, secure needed permits and improve infrastructure
in the hopes of luring businesses. Haverhill's Hilldale Industrial
Park, Ward Hill Business Park, as well as remaining mill buildings
in the Downtown must be targeted; specific proposals to leverage
the Governor's program must be formulated.
This must be a priority! Not
tomorrow or the next day, but today!
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John Michitson
Candidate for Mayor
119 Kenoza Street
Haverhill, Massachusetts 01830
www.michitson.com |
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