Marlborough’s Life Sciences & Biotech Vision
The Massachusetts ‘Innovation Corridor’, in which Marlborough is centrally located, provides a rich platform for invention and collaboration, which is a key element in Massachusetts’ continued Life Sciences and Biotechnology successes. With its natural geographic location midway between Cambridge and Worcester, and its enviable highway access from I-90, I-290 and Route 495, Marlborough is strategically positioned to become an important center for the future growth and development of the Life Sciences and Biotech sectors in Massachusetts.
To date about 40 of these businesses have discovered on their own, how convenient and economical a Marlborough location is for their operations. They have reported that they chose a Marlborough location because:
(1) it is only a short driving distance from the major teaching hospitals, researchers and research facilities that support the major clusters in Cambridge and Worcester
(2) it is a convenient commute for the highly qualified intellectual talent pool and skilled labor forces in eastern and central Massachusetts, as well as the surrounding New England states
(3) it has an existing inventory of quality and affordable laboratory and office space immediately available.
Another key element is continued strong support from local, state and federal governments in creating the type of environment that attracts, nurtures and supports such businesses. This is evidenced by the 2008 state legislation that created the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative and its 10-year, $1-billion investment in the industry, which will secure and expand the Massachusetts’ Life Sciences and Biotech super cluster. This is also confirmed by Marlborough’s success in achieving a Silver rating as a BioReady™ Community.
The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is a state-chartered, non-profit organization whose focus is on the planning, promotion and development of Marlborough’s economic development future; and it views itself as a catalyst for the growth and development of the Life Sciences and Biotechnology cluster that is developing here, in Marlborough.
The MEDC through its recently completed Economic Development Master Plan, its Business Outreach Initiative and the 2nd Annual Innovation Summit is making a conscious effort to focus attention on these local Life Sciences and Biotechnology businesses and their role in the future economic development of the community.
MEDC’s second Annual Marlborough Innovation Summit, which will take place on October 28th, intends to focus on Marlborough’s Life Sciences and Biotech businesses by turning the spotlight on them and the city’s promising future.
Distinguished keynote speakers and prominent industry leaders will attend the event. Most importantly this event will provide a much needed opportunity for representatives of these companies to network and for City officials and MEDC board members and staff to rally around the needs and future direction of the industry.
