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WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – Westborough will participate in an economic development survey as part of the town’s efforts to attract more businesses. Presented to the Economic Development Committee by the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the survey will include town officials, members of several committees and local business owners.
Bonnie Biocchi, the MetroWest Chamber Economic Development president and CEO, said she applied for a Regional Economic Development Grant in hopes of providing money for a few communities to participate in the survey.
“Money is usually the thing towns need the most help with. I tried to find the right resources for business and communities so I applied for the REDO grant,” Biocchi said. “This grant would allow municipalities to self-assess.”
Biocchi chose Westborough along with two other communities to pilot the survey using the grant money. The money will allow Westborough to participate in the survey for free. The town will only need to join the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce and provide a venue for the survey.
The stakeholder group of town officials, committee members, and businesses will collectively take the survey, which contains questions about location, zoning, permitting and others.
“The stakeholders will answer questions to determine things like how zoning considerations affects businesses. You can get to the heart of the matter. What is keeping businesses from coming here? What will help attract businesses?” Biocchi said.
After Westborough takes the survey, the town will receive a written report ranking the town’s business environment and a prioritized list of solutions to any problems the town may have.
“It seems like the logical next step for this committee,” Town Manager Jim Malloy said.
Westborough hopes to take the survey in the spring.
