U.S. Congressman Joe Kennedy III visited the Franklin Downtown Partnership office Friday afternoon to hear first-hand about two initiatives the nonprofit group has been involved with.
Those projects include a partnership linking local small business owners with Dean College business students and the Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project.
Kennedy spoke with FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana and Robert Cuomo, Dean of the School of Business at Dean College, about a new initiative that pairs business students with local small businesses to create business plans.
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| Congressman Kennedy (right) met with FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana and others Friday afternoon at the Partnership's office downtown. |
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| Kennedy discussed a new initiative linking Dean College business students with local small business owners with Dr. Robert Cuomo, Dean of the School of Business at Dean College. |
The owners of Franklin Yoga & Wellness, Making Whoopie, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, and Drama Kids of Metro West are working with students to develop and enhance all aspects of their business plans. According to Cuomo, the businesses benefit from free planning help while the Dean students gain real-world experience in developing and growing small companies.
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| Director of Planning and Community Development Bryan Taberner explained the impact the Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Program will have on downtown Franklin. |
Kennedy also reviewed plans for the upcoming Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project slated to begin in April. Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development for the Town of Franklin, described how the project will improve traffic circulation, road conditions, emergency response times and pedestrian safety while enhancing the downtown’s overall appearance and promoting private sector investment.
The project has been in the planning stages for nine years; Congressman Kennedy’s uncle, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, was instrumental is securing $5 million in federal funds for the project in 2006.
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| Lisa Piana explains some of the numerous revitalization and improvement projects the Partnership has been involved with since 2001. |
The congressman’s visit to the FDP office was one of several stops he made in Franklin Friday. Earlier in the day Kennedy took part in a manufacturing roundtable discussion, toured Franklin High School, and ate lunch at the Rome Restaurant. He later paid a visit to The Black Box.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. While well known for their successful events, including the Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and Holiday Stroll, the FDP takes an active role in downtown improvement projects like streetscape design and beautification efforts. The Partnership currently has close to 200 members and welcomes all businesses and residents.
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| US Representative Joesph Kennedy III and FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana |
This was shared from the Franklin Downtown Partnership page
