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Murray Talks Economics, Energy06:20PM / Friday, December 14, 2007
 | | Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray |
PITTSFIELD - The state and local leaders must break down "the sense of time and distance" between the far reaches of the state if they hope to reinvigorate the economy, said Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray on Friday.
Speaking at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Country Club of Pittsfield, the former Worcester mayor recalled the frustration felt in that city when its problems were pushed aside by Boston and its environs.
"That frustration is real and more palpable the further west you go from Worcester because there's a kernel of truth to it."
Murray, a frequent visitor to Western Mass., said he and Gov. Deval Patrick, who has a home in Richmond, are making sure they're listening and being seen in this part of the state not because of their local connections, but because they heard those complaints over and over again during the campaign.
Many Western Mass. leaders felt shut out during Mitt Romney's administration - the governor rarely made it past Worcester and never set foot in North Adams during his four years in office.
Today's Word: Diversity
Diversity is a critical component in the current administration, Murray said, and that includes geographic diversity. Numerous studies are saying the state has to look beyond geographic boundaries and instead concentrate on investment centers, he added.
"If we are going to reverse the job and population trend in this state, we've go to break down the sense of time and distance," said Murray. "We need to insist on making more and better connections both in our transportation, our road and rail, but also issues of broadband connectivity.
"We need to recognize and nurture centers of excellence in regional economies. We need to recognize and invest in the areas of higher learning both public and private, where appropriate, around the state."
Murray described it as philosophical approach to the administration's aggressive drive to create 100,000 jobs in four years - a Patrick campaign process.
The administration awarded $76 million in Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion grants this year to reward good projects and stimulate the economy, and create and estimated 200 new jobs. Murray said there were $300 million in applications.
The Next Wave
While Patrick has been pushing initiatives in biotech, Murray spoke of renewable energy as becoming "the next wave" that could have as great an impact as biotech and life sciences.
During the 1980s, there was a fallow field next to Worcester Hospital and the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, he recalled. Medical and civic leaders got together to create a biotech park there. "A lot of people in Worcester laughed at that and a lot of people in Boston and Cambridge laughed, too."
Now, that biotech park is the second-largest taxpayer in the city, employing more than 2,000 people and eyeing expansion.
Mayor John Barrett III, Murray and chamber leader Michael Supranowicz |
In one example of the payoff in renewable energy, the administration was successful in keeping Evergreen Solar, one of the biggest solar-panel manufacturers in the world, in Massachusetts, said Murray. The company is planning a $150 million facility expected to create 375 jobs in Westborough.
Western Mass. not only has both the intellectual and industrial capacity to nurture such renewal energy development, it is already a leader in many ways, he said, referring to his trip up Jiminy Peak to see the ski area's wind turbine.
The state has provided a number of employment and investment grants to local companies, and Pittsfield received a $150 million to create pre-permitted sites, said Murray.
Murray touched lightly on a number of other development issues, describing the proposal for casinos as being only one part of the economic puzzle. He also said the state is trying to address millions in deferred maintenance of roads, parks and buildings.
The lieutenant governor was introduced by North Adams Mayor John Barrett III, one of his earliest supporters. Barrett said he and other mayors had backed Murray in last year's because he understood the everyday problems of cities, people and small businesses.
Murray described the group as being in Mayor James Ruberto's city and in "John Barrett's county," saying he was not only "a tenacious advocate for his city" but someone who was not afraid to speak loud and clear about county issues as well.
The lieutenant governor spent the morning in Pittsfield, attending the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission breakfast at the Berkshire Hills Country Club and touring the Berkshire Veterans Residence Center on West Housatonic Street. |
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