Mayor Melinda Barrett met with the City Council on Tuesday to discuss taking full advantage of the recently signed legislation aimed at advancing industries like life sciences, climate technology, and advanced manufacturing across the state.
“We have the opportunity,” Barrett said. “We’re ready for this.”
City Councilor John Michitson recommended referring the topic to the Planning and Development Committee, where he is chairperson. Committee members will continue the discussion alongside the state delegation at a future meeting.
Signed into law on Nov. 20, the Mass Leads Act is designed to create jobs, grow businesses, and expand workforce development throughout the Commonwealth.
The package includes $500 million for life sciences, $100 million for artificial intelligence research, and $99 million for advanced manufacturing.
It also introduced a statewide internship tax credit program, encouraging companies to hire interns from Massachusetts colleges.
“We would like to organize the city to leverage that bill for Haverhill,” Michitson said. “It’s in close alignment with the economic development plan that we came up with based on the Smart Manufacturing conference we had.”
Smart manufacturing is a technology-driven approach that uses connected machinery to monitor and improve the manufacturing process.
The Smart Summit, held last year at Northern Essex Community College’s Haverhill campus, brought together business leaders, government officials, and educators to focus on how Haverhill can develop into a “smart manufacturing hub” that aligns with the state’s economic goals.
Haverhill residents and business owners discussed further exploring industries like advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and climate technology, which are all topics the governor had previously cited in promoting the Mass Leads Act.
A plan for economic development was declared at the summit, targeting investment in booming industries before they were heavily backed by the Mass Leads Act. This collaboration of city stakeholders helped lay the groundwork for Haverhill to embrace opportunities the act presents.
“From leading-edge companies right here in the Merrimack Valley, to life sciences in Cambridge, and federal partners in Washington and beyond,” State Rep. Andres Vargas said after the summit. “Haverhill is well-positioned to maximize the manufacturing opportunities ahead.”
The event was organized by Vargas, Michitson, and former Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President Alexandria Eberhardt.
The Planning and Development Committee is expected to begin meeting early next year to explore the specifics of the bill and identify the city’s next steps. The committee includes Michitson along with City Councilors Katrina Hobbs-Everett and Catherine Rogers.
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