According to tournament director Mark Miskin, the tournament has reached its highest number of participants yet, with over 900 teams from across the country, Canada and even the United Kingdom traveling to Massachusetts for the four-day competition and college showcase. Host sites include Gillette Stadium, Framingham, Natick, Holliston and Hopkinton, among others across the state.

Between the number of teams, the amount of players is expected to total around 16,000. The number of spectators figures to hover somewhere in the vicinity of 40,000.

After last year’s tournament, as he does every year, Miskin took the numbers to the Boston Convention and Visitor Bureau for a projection of the tournament’s economic impact. It concluded that the tournament brought in over $8 million worth of business.

This year, Marlborough is making a play for a piece of the pie.

The City of Marlborough's Ghiloni Park soccer fields are wide open and ready for the games

Though the city has worked in conjunction with the tournament in the past with providing hotel accommodations for some of the teams, this year it will take its participation to a new level.

As arranged by the Marlborough Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), the city will host 56 girls teams, with the Best Western Royal Plaza, Embassy Suites, the Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn & Suites and the Residence Inn all fully booked for the weekend.

In addition, Marlborough will serve as one of the host sites, providing six fields for competition, with 91 games taking place over the weekend at Ghiloni Park and Marlborough High School. Meanwhile, the ForeKicks II Sports Complex will host 22 college showcase games.

“We’ve been able to utilize the hotels for a few years now,” said Miskin. “And I think because of that the MEDC came to us and realized we were kind of filling up these hotels, and they figured why not (play) here? And maybe make a bit more of an impact with their restaurants.”

According to Tim Cummings, Director of Operations at the MEDC, Marlborough’s hospitality industry made it a natural fit as a host site.

“It’s no secret that Marlborough has a lot of hotel rooms, so as the tournament grows along the Route 495 corridor, Marlborough is situated to leverage this position,” said Cummings. “From our perspective working with Mark has been extremely rewarding and we hope to further develop this relationship so the ancillary businesses like restaurants, hotels and mom and pop businesses benefit from the foot-traffic this tournament will generate.”

The economic benefit to the city figures to be significant. Local hotels and restaurants will likely see the largest bump in business. But Miskin is quick to point out that other local business will feel a kick, from car rental services to gas stations to convenient stores and local entertainment industries.

“We feel that we bring a lot to the community, a lot to Metrowest,” said Miskin. “As we’ve grow the last few years, we’ve had bigger growth with the teams coming in from the outside staying in the area. The teams from England just arrived and started their training. It’s an expensive trip for them, but it’s also a tour trip.”

In his position as Vice Chairman of the MEDC, Richard Tomanek played a key role in fostering the partnership between the city and the tournament. In addition, he works as the General Manager for Embassy Suites Hotel. In that position, he’s already seen the benefits up close.

“Memorial Day is a time when historically the business might be a little slower with people traveling for the holiday weekend,” said Tomanek. “So the Sunday and Monday business is a big opportunity … You think about two or three nights of occupancy that way and it certainly can add up to 300 to 400 additional room nights. That equates to a couple thousand room nights pretty quickly.”

This story originally appeared here.

“We want to extend an offer of thanks and are very glad to welcome this year the City of Marlborough to our tournament,” said tournament director, Mark Miskin. “We hope that as with many of our other field and community partners, this relationship will flourish for years to come.”

A total of 91 games will take place Saturday and Sunday across six Marlborough soccer fields, including four at Ghiloni Park and two at Marlborough High School. ForeKicks II Sports Complex is scheduled to host 22 College Showcase games through the weekend, in addition to eight semi-finals and four finals on Monday. Games will run every day from 8am to 6pm.

40,000 spectators are expected to watch over 900 teams and 16,000 players from US, Canada and England compete during the tournament, making it the largest single-weekend soccer tournament in the United States, according to MEDC. More than 500 referees and 180 college coaches are also set to take part in the games. More information is available at www.needhamsoccer.com/tournament. 

In addition to Foxborough and Marlborough, fields in Needham, Belmont, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Lancaster, Lexington, Medfield, Waltham, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, and Woburn will also be used, according to MEDC.

This story originally appeared here.

Right to left: Massachusetts State Senator Jamie Eldridge, Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant, and former Marlborough Mayor Nancy Stevens talk at MEDC Founders Reception

Massachusetts Senator Jamie Eldridge, State Representative Danielle Gregoire, Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant, City Council President Patricia Pope and former Marlborough Mayor Nancy Stevens were among the officials, who attended the May 16^th event at the Marlborough Country Club. Also present were key business leaders, like Atlantic Management’s President & CEO Joseph Zink, VHB’s Senior Vice President Douglas Landry, Riemer & Braunstein’s Senior Partner Robert Buckley and Massachusetts Office of Business Development’s MetroWest Regional Director Rob Anderson.

MEDC Chairman, Arthur Bergeron, gave the evening’s keynote speech, reflecting on 18 months of significant achievements for the organization and the city. He congratulated MEDC’s leadership and staff for helping to attract and secure the moves of leading retailer TJX Companies Inc. and life-sciences giant Quest Diagnostics into previously-vacant Marlborough business sites. These feats, Bergeron said, along with Boston Scientific’s headquarters relocation to Marlborough, to be completed by October of this year, will undoubtedly be major boosts to the local economy.

“These companies were not just looking for a great location for their businesses,” said Bergeron. “They were looking for a place where their employees can have a great quality of life. Marlborough already offers an enviable location and lifestyle, but we know there is more work to be done. We know, for example, that we still need an urban walking area and, over the next year, we will definitely figure out a formula to do that.”

Bergeron said the MEDC will also focus its future efforts on increasing sports tourism, by growing the city’s youth baseball league. In addition, he said, the MEDC will continue promoting the new Wayside District along Route 20 East, which is expected to improve property values and attract even more business to the City of Marlborough.

“The MEDC plays a vital role for local business and continues to drive the economic engine in the region,” said Senator Eldridge. “Businesses and organizations representing a broad array of industries that partner with MEDC have spurred revitalization and growth in Marlborough, positioning the city as a leader in fostering community development, job growth and economic prosperity.”

“The MEDC staff works extremely hard to showcase and promote our city. Thanks to their efforts, Marlborough is now looking at a very bright economic future,” said Mayor Vigeant. “ We also owe a debt of gratitude to the MEDC founders and contributors, whose vision and dedication helped make today’s success possible.”

Former Marlborough Mayor Nancy Stevens, who is currently serving as director of consumer affairs for The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, was one of the founding members of MEDC in 2006. At the time, the organization was known as the city’s redevelopment authority, “Marlborough 2010.” Stevens says that, over the years, the organization has become indispensible.

“MEDC has been instrumental to Marlborough’s recent economic success, and I am so proud to have been one of the founders of this essential organization,” Stevens said. “The MEDC staff has been working hard over the past few years and it shows. People don’t realize how much effort and time goes into economic development. There are projects that I started, while I was in office, that are only now coming to fruition. There is just no way we could have made so much progress without having a dedicated economic development and promotions arm for the City of Marlborough.”

One of the city’s more recent success stories began with the October 2011 purchase of the long-vacant former HP site off Route 495 by Framingham-based real estate investment firm, Atlantic Management. Just 18 months later, the site has been rezoned into an overlay district and has signed its first big long-term lease with Quest Diagnostics for a new laboratory facility expected to employ 1,200 people. Atlantic Management President & CEO Joseph Zink says he is excited about the potential of the new high-end mixed-use development, which will include 350 residential units, a major hotel operator and a number of commercial and retail outlets.

“Atlantic Management owns and operates 26 developments across the state, and Marlborough is definitely in our top 2 communities in terms of ease of doing business, infrastructure, and positive economic outlook,” Zink said. “MEDC has helped us every step of the way, and we are very grateful to have them on our side, as we continue to develop our project in Marlborough.”

“It is important to recognize the fantastic work of MEDC,” said Richard Tomanek, MEDC Vice Chair and General Manager of Embassy Suites. “Eighty percent of what they do is economic development, which ultimately stabilizes the residential tax rate. We can all be incredibly proud of what’s happening at the MEDC.”

# # #

About MEDC:

Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. We work with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization and development.

For a complete overview of MEDC’s activities visit MarlboroughEDC.com

The City of Marlborough's Ghiloni Park soccer fields are wide open and ready for the Needham Memorial Day Tournament

According to the Marlborough Economic Development Corp., 56 Girls U11 and U12 teams will play across six fields in the city on Saturday and Sunday as part of the 37th Needham Memorial Day Soccer Tournament.

ForeKicks II Sports Complex will also host 22 College Showcase games over the weekend in addition to eight playoff semi-finals and four finals on Monday. Games will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

According to the MEDC, 40,000 spectators are expected to watch more than 900 teams and 16,000 players from the United States, Canada and England during the tournament across 25 sites around Boston, including Framingham and Hopkinton.

The MEDC said 75 hotels in Central Massachusetts are fully booked for the weekend and restaurants are preparing for a surge of visitors.

This story originally appeared here.

A total of 91 games are scheduled throughout Saturday and Sunday across six Marlborough soccer fields, including four at Ghiloni Park and two at Marlborough High School. ForeKicks II Sports Complex will also host 22 College Showcase games through the weekend, in addition to eight Playoff Semi-Finals and four Finals on Monday. Games will run every day from 8am to 6pm.

“We want to extend an offer of thanks and are very glad to welcome this year the City of Marlborough to our tournament,” said tournament director, Mark Miskin. “We hope that as with many of our other field and community partners, this relationship will flourish for years to come.”

Officials meet in Marlborough MA in preparation for the Needham Memorial Day Soccer Tournament.

Some 40,000 spectators are expected to watch over 900 teams and 16,000 players from US, Canada and England compete during the Needham Memorial Day Soccer Tournament, making it the largest single-weekend soccer tournament in the United States. More than 500 referees and 180 college coaches are also set to take part in the games.

To accommodate the thousands of players and families converging on the region, the tournament has partnered up with 75 hotels across Central Massachusetts, many of which are already fully booked. Rooms at the Best Western Royal Plaza, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn & Suites, and Residence Inn in Marlborough are all sold out, and local restaurants are bracing for the surge of visitors.

“What started out as an eight-team tournament 40 years ago on two fields in Needham is now the largest Memorial Day soccer tournament and largest single-weekend soccer tournament in the country. With over 900 teams from all over the northeast, Virginia, Canada and England, we need a lot of playing space. That’s why we’ve reached out to many communities north and west of Boston, and in 2013 we are using over 25 sites equating to 88 fields.”

The 2013 tournament will run Friday May 24^th – Monday May 27^th across various sites in Massachusetts, including the home of the New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium. In addition to Foxborough and Marlborough, fields in Needham, Belmont, Dedham, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Lancaster, Lexington, Medfield, Waltham, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, and Woburn will also be used.

# # #

About the Needham Memorial Day Soccer Tournament:
The Needham Memorial Day Soccer Tournament – Invitational and GPS College Showcase with Global Premier Socceris one of the oldest and highest ranked Memorial Day Tournaments in the country for premier and town teams. Its GPS College Showcase is now a favorite destination for top-caliber teams from throughout Eastern United States, Canada and England.
For more information, visit www.needhamsoccer.com/tournament.

After a presentation on the city, a number of New York-based site selectors have committed to touring Marlborough to view its real estate inventory offerings in the near future, according to a statement from the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which will coordinate the visits.

“The city of Marlborough had a successful 2012 in regards to attracting several good businesses to our community,” Vigeant said in the statement. “However, a truly sound economic development policy requires that we redouble our efforts to ensure that companies everywhere know that not only is Marlborough open for businesses, but that there is no better place for their employees to live, work and raise a family.”

Marlborough has made headlines by attracting life-sciences and biotechnology companies to the city. Boston Scientific has committed to moving its global headquarters to Marlborough, and Quest Diagnostics plans to open a regional laboratory facility in the city.

“Marlborough has a number of real estate sites and buildings that have full permits and are ready to be occupied by new businesses,” Tim Cummings, MEDC Executive Director, added in the prepared remarks.

This story originally appeared here.

The news comes after Mayor Arthur Vigeant, MEDC Chairman Arthur Bergeron, and MEDC Executive Director Tim Cummings met with national real estate professionals and site selection experts in New York City last week, in an effort to attract new businesses to Marlborough.

Representatives from event organizer, MassEcon, company sponsors Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB) and DACON Corporation, and special guests from Heat Trace Products and The Kraft Group were also at the meeting, which took place at the Royalton New York in Manhattan on May 10th.

The event’s presentations and conversations focused on showcasing Marlborough, Metro West and the Commonwealth’s strong economic climate to some thirty site selectors and real estate professionals, with clientele from across the nation. The meeting gave these professionals, who are in charge of selecting quality sites for expanding businesses, an opportunity to learn about the Commonwealth’s and, in particular, the Metro West region’s business-ready assets and great quality of life.

“The City of Marlborough had a successful 2012 in regards to attracting several good businesses to our community,” said Mayor Vigeant. “However, a truly sound economic development policy requires that we redouble our efforts to ensure that companies everywhere know that not only is Marlborough open for businesses, but that there is no better place for their employees to live, work, and raise a family.”

“These kind of events showcase Massachusetts as a state that offers a positive environment for business growth,” said Susan Houston, MassEcon Executive Director. “The City of Marlborough, in particular, home to Boston Scientific, Quest Diagnostics and other innovative companies, is leading by example, and we were delighted to have Marlborough officials as key members of the welcome delegation. Bringing together the Commonwealth’s business leaders with national corporate location advisers at events like these is part of our strategy for generating jobs and investment for Massachusetts. “

“Marlborough has a number of real estate sites and buildings that have full permits and are ready to be occupied by new businesses,” said Tim Cummings, MEDC Executive Director. “We’re proud to say that many of these are listed on MassEcon’s Market Ready 100 list, which makes them available and visible to site selectors across the country. Marlborough offers a business-friendly environment that is very attractive to new businesses, and we look forward to welcoming more new and expanding companies to our great city.”

The City of Marlborough is making great strides in attracting life-sciences and biotechnology companies. Recently, Boston Scientific announced the move of its global headquarters to Marlborough, and Quest Diagnostics has planned to open a regional laboratory facility in the city.

Find a current list of Marlborough’s business-ready sites at: marlboroughedc.com/doing-business-in-marlborough/priority-development-sites/

# # #

About MEDC:
Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. We work with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization and development.
For a complete overview of MEDC’s activities visit its website, MarlboroughEDC.com

About MassEcon:
MassEcon is the state’s non-profit, non-partisan private sector partner in promoting Massachusetts as the premier choice for business growth. Deploying on-the-ground services since its founding in 1993, MassEcon works to ensure that business stays, grows, and thrives in the Commonwealth.
For a complete overview of MassEcon’s activities visit its website, MassEcon.com.

As a result, MassBio will host a life sciences open house in the city in late summer or early fall, which will be organized by MassBio with MEDC. MEDC said the event will be a networking opportunity for both members of MassBio and nonmembers and to introduce them to the organization’s activities and to Marlborough’s opportunities for the sector.

The news follows MEDC’s participation in the BIO International Convention in Chicago last month. MEDC was there on behalf of the city and joined other municipalities representing the state in the Lifecycle Massachusetts Pavilion.

“The City of Marlborough has clearly become a key biotechnology hub in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. We’re seeing some great life sciences and biotechnology companies making Marlborough their home,” MassBio President and CEO Robert Coghlin said in a statement.

MEDC pointed to the last year’s news that Quest Diagnostics will open a laboratory complex in the city and that Boston Scientific will relocate its headquarters to Malrborough from Natick.

In December, MassBio upgraded Marlborough to its highest rating of Platinum BioReady Community, recognizing the city’s commitment to foster and host biotechnology companies.

This story originally appeared here.

The news comes after the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) participated in the 20th BIO International Convention in Chicago, IL, which took place April 22nd-25th. MEDC was there on behalf of the City of Marlborough, one of just a couple of municipalities that, along with statewide economic development agencies, represented the Commonwealth at the “Lifecycle Massachusetts” Pavilion.

“The City of Marlborough has clearly become a key biotechnology hub in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We’re seeing some great life sciences and biotechnology companies making Marlborough their home. For instance, we had the recent announcement that Boston Scientific is moving its global headquarters to Marlborough. Additionally, Marlborough’s rating as a Platinum-level BioReady Community, means the city has done the work necessary to attract and host life sciences. We look forward to working with the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation to further develop this cluster of businesses just west of Boston,” said Robert Coughlin, MassBio President & CEO.

“To be able to participate in the BIO Convention with some of the state’s best advocates is an honor,” commented Tim Cummings, Executive Director of MEDC. “The City of Marlborough is open to business and would like to see more life science companies and biotechnology outfits locate here.”

In December 2012, MassBio upgraded the City of Marlborough to its highest rating of Platinum BioReady Community, thus recognizing the city’s unwavering commitment to foster and host biotechnology companies. In November 2012, medical devices giant, Boston Scientific, announced its intent to move the company’s headquarters and its 800 employees to Marlborough. In October 2012, medical testing services leader, Quest Diagnostics, revealed its plans to open a new laboratory complex in Marlborough, bringing 1,200 new jobs to the city.

# # #

About MEDC:
Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is the state chartered economic development corporation for the City of Marlborough, MA and represents a public-private partnership for planning. We work with municipal and private investors to foster economic development, job growth and community revitalization and development.
For a complete overview of MEDC’s activities visit its website, www.MarlboroughEDC.com.

About MassBio:
MassBio is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide. Founded in 1985, MassBio represents over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, and works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.
For a complete overview of MassBio’s activities visit its website, www.massbio.org.

About Lifecycle Massachusetts:
“Lifecycle Massachusetts” is the theme of the Massachusetts Pavilion at the 2013 BIO International Convention. The Pavilion showcased the Commonwealth’s supercluster of life sciences and healthcare companies—from training and education, to research and discovery, to manufacturing and delivery of treatment.
For more information on the Lifecycle Massachusetts Pavilion visit http://massbiohq.org/2013/04/11/bio-buzz-dont-miss-lifecycle-massachusetts-at-bio-2013/

About BIO International Convention:
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry.
For more information on BIO International Convention visit its website, www.convention.bio.org.

In the past few years, the city had landed some big names, with commitments by TJX Cos. Inc. and Quest Diagnostics to fill buildings left vacant by departing companies, and Boston Scientific’s decision to relocate its headquarters from Natick.

Those three companies will fill nearly a million square feet of office space, Mayor Arthur Vigeant said.

City leaders say they have sought to make Marlboro inviting through expedited permitting and, in some cases, tax incentives. They also tout the city’s location in Central Massachusetts with easy access to major highways, and its strong workforce.

Local officials, including city councilors and representatives from the city’s Economic Development Corp., have collaborated with each other and state officials to reach out to businesses. Officials are willing to meet with any company considering a move, said Mr. Vigeant, who is running for election to a second term this fall.

“We work hand-in-hand with the companies,” he said.

The city adopted the state’s optional local hotel room tax, and dedicated the extra revenue exclusively for economic development, he said.

Building on recent successes, Mr. Vigeant said he is planning to travel to New York next month to give a presentation to a national site selection group in an attempt to lure out-of-state companies.

Tim Cummings, the EDC’s executive director, said many suburban communities have empty space to fill, like Marlboro, making the search for new tenants competitive.

But the mayor and City Council made luring tenants to fill that space a top priority, he said.

The progress is the result of many factors, said Mr. Cummings, who has led the EDC for more than a year.

“We have our unique strength, which is our incredible access” to the interstate highways, he said. “We have a good strong foundation in human capital, with a strongly educated workforce.”

Quest Diagnostics, a Madison, N.J., diagnostic testing company, is retrofitting an old Hewlett-Packard building into a state-of-the-art laboratory and is planning to open the facility in early 2015, company spokeswoman Wendy Bost said.

In 2011, the company acquired Athena Diagnostics, which operates a clinical laboratory in Worcester, with a focus on providing rare and neurological disease diagnostic services for physicians.

Earlier this year, Quest announced its acquisition of two laboratory businesses of UMass Memorial Medical Center. It is planning to relocate 1,000 employees from Worcester and Cambridge to the new facility in Marlboro, and add another 250 staff members, according to Ms. Bost.

“What we needed was a location that is central in Massachusetts, that had a good business environment, good access to potential employees, but also could be a good place for existing employees at these other locations to go, and Marlboro was a great selection,” she said.

TJX bought two buildings on Puritan Way in Marlboro to house office operations and help the retail company accommodate future growth. It plans to move there in the late summer or early fall, according to Doreen Thompson, a company spokeswoman.

“Our home office location at 770 Cochituate Road in Framingham, together with Marlboro, will provide TJX with two major campuses operating in close proximity to one another,” she said in a statement. “The quality of life for TJX associates was a major consideration in choosing the Marlboro location.”

Boston Scientific just held a groundbreaking ceremony for what will become its global headquarters.

The city has used tax increment financing agreements — deals that temporarily exempt companies from at least some of their property tax obligations — to help win over companies.

The city reached TIF deals with Quest and TJX, and is working under an earlier agreement with Boston Scientific. Mr. Cummings said the city uses TIF deals only when they are in the best interests of the city’s taxpayers.

Mr. Vigeant said he has made a point of talking with business people and learning more about their needs. He said he was struck by business leaders’ desire for more amenities to benefit their employees, such as convenient stores, restaurants and bike paths.

The city is taking steps to encourage the opening of more of those service businesses, to foster a good environment for employees, he said.

While Mr. Cummings said the city has benefited in improvements in the national economy, “We have positioned ourselves to be actually a catalyst, to take advantage of the turnaround.”

This story originally appeared here.