MetroWest495 Biz

MetroWest495 Biz | October 2014 23 Without the large empty corporate campuses waiting for new occupants, Robert said Framingham is looking at opportunities to fill unused spaces within central city areas. For example, he said, Framingham would like to take advantage of its well-used downtown commuter rail station with more tran- sit-oriented development in that area of town. He said Framingham is actively working with regional planning au- thorities to promote the development of high-density, mixed-use projects in appropriate locations. Robert said Framingham has also designated spots off the town's two exits off the Massachusetts Turnpike as expedited permitting sites, easing the way for a developer that wants to locate there. It's also working on a new marketing program and, in June, the town held an event for its businesses to share information on policies designed to support them. "I think the town of Framingham is looking to ensure that the business community understands we're here, we're engaged," he said. In fact, Robert, who was hired last year, brings a new, business-focused approach to his position. Previously, he worked for the state's offices of travel and tourism and economic develop- ment. The town created a separate new planning director position when it hired him, allowing him to focus more specifically on business development. "I think the town is very interested in having a capacity and having the expertise to engage with businesses, and that's what I certainly bring to the team," he said. High-tech pursuits Meanwhile, Patrick Reffett, Natick's community development director, said there's no doubt there can be some rivalry among neighboring cities and towns. "Communities do feel a certain level of jealously when they see, shall I say, a 'trophy' (company) that is deciding to relocate," Reffett said. Reffett said Natick is pleased to see MathWorks, which has two campuses in town, grow its presence. That's particularly important after the loss of Boston Scientific, which decided in 2012 to consolidate and move its head- quarters to Marlborough. Reffett said Natick is working to attract more high-tech businesses, in- cluding biotech and biomedical compa- nies. One move it's making is pushing the owners of industrial buildings to adapt them for those sorts of uses. David McCay, who is chairman of the Southborough Economic Develop- ment Committee and chairman-elect of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, said different communities have different needs. "Marlborough had large corporate headquarter-type facilities to fill," he said. "Southborough just didn't have those types of vacancies." But McCay said the regional view of development makes sense. "I really do view it, from Southborough's perspec- tive, as everything that's happening in Marlborough is good for the region and that includes Southborough," he said. "What we find is that companies in a particular industry sector like being co-located with other companies in that sector … There's competition on a certain level but there's also a lot of collaboration that goes on. They view it as an advantage." Local officials said another ad- vantage that spills across municipal borders is spending by the employees of new corporate offices. In Hudson, a considerably smaller community than Marlborough with less than a tenth of the office space, Community Development Director Michelle Ciccolo said there's not much space to recruit a big corporate head- quarters. Intel is already a significant presence in town (in spite of the recent shutdown of manufacturing operations there), and there aren't huge swaths of empty space along Interstates 495 and 290 that are sitting empty. Ciccolo said corporate growth in Marlborough supports other kinds of economic activity in Hudson, including a vibrant group of downtown restau- rants, retail shopping along Route 9 and attractive housing. "We see it as sort of 'a rising tide lifts all boats,' " she said. "Every commu- nity has its own character, and we have a very good mix of commercial and residential already." Louis Stephan, president of the Sud- bury Chamber of Commerce, echoed that sentiment when it comes to the effects of the Marlborough boom. "A lot of those people are living in surrounding towns, shopping in sur- rounding towns, eating in surrounding towns," he said. With an office vacancy rate of just 1.7 percent, Sudbury hasn't been hyper-focused on adding new employ- ers, Stephan said. Raytheon has been a big part of the local economy for decades, and companies like Staples Industrial and Method Machine Tools also provide employment and tax revenue for the town. But Stephan said that's no reason not to keep pushing to attract more companies. "I think we could do maybe a little bit of a better job and have some more successes," he said. "But I don't think we're lacking, either." n GROW YOUR BUSINESS START A BUSINESS EXIT YOUR BUSINESS Navigating your business, particularly after an economic downturn, can be difficult. Business owners, now more than ever, are unsure whether to veer right, veer left or stay the course. This is where ROCG can help! As the business transition specialists, our proprietary roadmap helps business owners take control over their destiny by planning their business proactively, implementing change and more importantly, by building business value to maximize value upon exit or to ensure its on-going sustainability for a family transfer. Over the past decade, ROCG has worked exclusively with small to medium sized business owners. We've developed a unique understanding of the dynamics and psychology of owner-managed companies and what it takes to drive results you need. We work with business owners to: • re-energize the business model • define what they need from the company to support their personal and financial needs • help set the milestones accordingly to ensure everyone works with the end goal in mind • help ensure a successful transition/exit from the business that meets personal goals and objectives Whether you are looking to start a business, grow it, or exit from it, ROCG can help you successfully transition your company from one phase to the next! ROCG BOSTON OFFICE 1671 Worcester Rd, Suite 303, Framingham, MA T: 617.412.4640 Terence.Shepherd@rocg.com www.rocgboston.com Attend Terry Shepherd's Seminar: "Building Business Value" Clark University SBDC Grace Conference Room December 4, 2014 • 8:30am - Noon Terry Shepherd Regardless of Where You are Headed on the Business Roadmap, ROCG Can Help! MARlBOROuGH continued from page 15 s

• Cover