Friday, September 25, 2020

Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determine its future?

From CommonWealth Magazine we share an article of interest for Franklin:

"FITCHBURG MAYOR Stephen DiNatale’s office bears all the markings of the workspace of a small-city Massachusetts leader working hard to pull up his community, a place that has struggled for years following the exodus of industries that once made mill towns like this hum with economic vigor.

There are sketches of planned development projects, a big photograph showing downtown Fitchburg back in its pre-World War II heyday, and in one corner a group of shiny ceremonial shovels standing against the wall, mementos from recent groundbreaking celebrations that DiNatale is anxious to replicate. The affable 68-year-old former state representative is laser-focused on economic development, and in a hurry for it to happen. “I’m not a patient guy,” said DiNatale. 

It’s easy to see why. Median household income is $55,000 in Fitchburg, $22,000 below the statewide average. Meanwhile, the pandemic has hit the city hard, with its 15.5 percent unemployment rate in August the eighth highest in the state."

Continue reading the article online
 
Is there something Fitchburg is doing, that we should also consider?
 
Franklin starts listening sessions next week. The first one on Weds, Sep 30. The agenda for the September 30th Listening Session, which will focus on Downtown Franklin, the Crossing and the Franklin Cultural District, can be found here  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/2020-09-30_edc_listening_session_1_agenda.pdf
 
For reference here are links to the MAPC Town of Franklin Market Study 
 
a Demographic & Economic Profile of the 495/MetroWest Region; details specific to Franklin can be found on pages 57 and 58
 
To sign up for one of more of the series of listening sessions, register here
 
Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determines its future?
Listening Sessions start on Weds, Sep 30 - How can we help Franklin determine its future?


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