State Economic Development Secretary Tours Williamstown's Waubeeka
Secretary Ash checks out a carving at Waubeeka after being invited to the course by owner Michael Deep.
Secretary for Housing and Economic Development Jay Ash spent Tuesday evening touring the South Williamstown golf course and chatting with local government and non-profit leaders.
He told the group assembled in the clubhouse that, in his mind, the venue had potential as a destination conference center.
"I have to be honest," Ash said. "If everyone who said they've got the right location for a conference center built a conference center, there would be one person staying at each of the hotels. I've had to tell a lot of people around the state that I just don't see it.
"Here, I get it."
Later, Ash expanded on those comments.
"It has the existing assets," he said. "Most hotels would want to build a golf course like this. Add to that the fact that you have a world class museum and a world class college."
Ash, whose sport of choice is basketball, was impressed with the scenic vistas throughout Waubeeka's 18-hole layout.
While those views are part of the reason Waubeeka is considered one of the commonwealth's top public courses, golf alone is not enough to sustain the 50-year-old business, according to owner Michael Deep. Deep, who bought the struggling operation two years ago, hopes to attract a resort developer to come and build an inn, banquet hall and other amenities in the northeast corner of the property.
Ash knows from hotels. As the city manager in Chelsea, he helped lead a renaissance that includes, among other things, four planned hotels, according to a 2015 Boston Globe profile.
And the Democratic member of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's cabinet said tourism is an area of bipartisan agreement.
"I am — and when I say that, I mean we are, including Gov. Baker — increasingly more interested in the interaction of tourism and the economy," Ash said. "Some of you might say, 'No kidding. Where have you been?' But what is happening is I have had more and more conversations all around Massachusetts about tourism.
"Something special is happening now from Central Mass west. We're looking for opportunities to get behind."
That support can take many forms, Ash said later.
"No. 1, I can be a cheerleader," in his role as the top development official in Baker's administration. "I can also act as a conduit for information."
Ash explained that he can facilitate networking to help put potential developers in touch with landowners, like Deep, who are seeking a partner.
"And, finally, the state is a place where people often go for cash," Ash said. "Gov. Baker is committing more and more money to economic development."
Deep laughs during the tour.
"We talk all the time about making sure that east, west, north and south we are thinking about economic development," Ash said. "If I only sat in my office and looked out the window, I'd see Cambridge and Boston doing well and think nothing needs to be done."
Deep said it did not take much to draw Ash to the northwest corner of the commonwealth.
"I just called him up and asked him to come take a look," Deep said.
Deep called the visit a good "kick-starter" to help spread the word about his hopes for the Waubeeka property, which was granted overlay district status in a contentious town meeting vote last month.
Ash said he was happy to have the opportunity to visit the Village Beautiful.
"This is my second trip to Williamstown ... as secretary," he said. "I did have a rather disappointing interaction with the fans at Williams College when I played [basketball] for Clark University."
Tags: economic development, motels, hotels, state officials, waubeeka,
