Marlborough, MASS. February 17, 2011 – The Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has announced that it has selected the consultant team headed by FXM Associates of Mattapoisett, MA to assist the MEDC in the preparation of an economic development master plan for the City of Marlborough. Other members of the FXM team include: The Cecil Group Inc. (CGI) of Boston, MA; the Economic Development Research Group (EDRGroup) of Boston, MA; and AECOM Engineering of Concord, MA.
MEDC received proposals from four consultant teams in response to the Request for Proposals it published on December 15, 2010. The FXM Associates proposal was selected over the other three submissions. The FXM team will undertake a planning process that will include: a significant amount of data gathering and analysis; a program of public surveys, community meetings and participatory events; focus group meetings and key stakeholder interviews. The goal is to produce two thematically linked documents that together will comprise the Master Plan: an Economic Development Strategy, which will identify a set of community based goals for the future economic development of Marlborough; and an Economic Development Action Plan, which will contain sets of specific initiatives, policies, projects, and programs necessary to achieve the goals of the Strategy. Each of the firms brings specialized expertise as well as general knowledge of the relevant subject areas and key individuals on the team each have more than 25 years of professional experience.
As part of the master plan preparation, twelve focus groups have been identified whereby Marlborough residents will be drawn into the master plan process to share their ideas for the future of Marlborough. These groups cover the following areas: Elected Officials; Bankers, Realtors, Developers & Lawyers; Educators, Youth Services & Social Services; Commercial Landlords (Property Owners/Managers); Sports, Tourism, Hotel & Restaurant Operators; High Tech & Life Science Companies; Urban Core Property & Business Owners; Retail Owners, Chamber & Associations; Industrial Business Owners & Managers; Housing Developers, Owners & CDA; Doctors, Nurses, EMTs, Hospitals, Rehab & Nursing Facilities; City Officials (Dept Reps).
George Ciccone, Executive Director MEDC stated, “We are very excited about having such an experienced consultant team to work with on this project, and are eager to get underway. It will be a process that will attempt to involve as many people as possible and will actively seek the participation of the community’s residents and business people.”
Francis X. Mahady, Principal, FXM Associates, says their experience has taught them that they must approach this assignment with no preconceptions and that the ultimate utility of their work will be measured by the MEDC’s success in developing the strategy and implementing the action plan. “We are not only committed to the highest quality of technical work but also fully appreciate that our client’s ability to act on our findings and recommendations is paramount,” Mahady stated.
The target date for completion of the Marlborough Economic Development Master Plan is September 15, 2011.
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