The Massachusetts Economic Development Annual Conference was held on Friday, October 4, 2013 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough Massachusetts. The event was the highlight of our 50th Year Celebration. Located in the luxurious Putnam Lounge overlooking the stadium (and the Patriots practicing) we started the conference with a Case Study “Pioneer Valley Business Growth” presented by Daniel Hodge, Director, Economic and Public Policy Research at the UMASS Donahue Institute and Chris Sikes, President of Common Capital.
The morning keynote address was given by Steven Grossman, State Treasurer and Receiver General and Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate. Treasurer Grossman has delivered on his promise to put all Treasury contracts out to competitive bid which has resulted in over $11 million in reduced service fees and administrative costs.
Participants also hear from a dynamic panel of experts regarding Financing Business Growth.
Panelists included Charles T. Grisby, President of MassGrowth Capital, Laura Canter, Executive Vice-President, MassDeve, Michael Hunter, Executive Director of the Mass Office of Business Development and Maria Gooch-Smith, Executive Director of SEED Corporation.
MEDC celebrated 50 Year of Economic Progress in Massachusetts by recognizing local Massachusetts business who have been in business for 50 or more years.
Chancellor Martin Meehan, of UMASS Lowell presented as part of a panel discussion on Community College and University Business Connections for Effective Economic and Workforce Development. The panel was moderated by Trevor Beauregard, Director, Department of Community Development and Planning, City of Gardner, and Chancellor Meehan was joined by Dr. Lane Glenn, President Northern Essex Community College and Nancy Snyder, President of Commonwealth Corporation.
