Meredith Harris: Gear Shifter
PHOTO/BRAD KANE
Meredith Harris, Executive director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corp. Age: 29, Hometown: Norton, Years working in Central Mass.: 2
Harris is the new face of the new Marlborough economic development, having taken on her role in August, following the departure of former executive director, Tim Cummings.
While the previous administration was successful in bringing in major players into the city – like GE Healthcare and Quest Diagnostics – the MEDC under Harris has been augmenting those achievements by focusing on different kinds of development, like a housing project on Main Street and the 43-acre mixed-use Apex Center on Boston Post Road.
Since she has come on, the organization has expanded its scope from promoting businesses locating in the city to include more retention of businesses that have relocated, said Marlborough Mayor Arthur Vigeant who sits on the organization's board.
“Meredith was a fast learner and she's really stepped up to the role,” Vigeant said. “As soon as we sat down the first time, you could tell she was knowledgeable, professional … The board and the people working inside knew we weren't going to miss a beat.”
Q&A
How can communities attract more businesses?
The key to attracting more companies is to embrace the business community and develop a reputation of being business friendly.
What businesses should they target?
Marlborough has done a great job attracting both small and large companies in the life science industry as many of these companies are now looking west.
Gathered below are the other Central Massachusetts' 2016 Power Players:
Standard Bearers: Long-time forces in the business community
- Timothy P. Murray, President & CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Mike Angelini, Chairman of Bowditch & Dewey
- The Crowleys, Owners & Shareholders of Polar Beverages & Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
- Sandy L. Dunn, General manager at the SMG/DCU Center
- Don Irving, President of Black Point Realty & Nichols Square LLC
Trail Blazers: Pioneers setting the latest economic trends
- Karim El-Gamal, Co-owner of the Rail Trail Flatbread Co./New City Microcreamery/
- Ed Moore, President & CEO of Harrington HealthCare System
- Girish Navani, CEO of eClinicalWorks
- Kevin O’Sullivan, President & CEO of Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives, Worcester
- Alec Lopez & Sherri Sadowski, Owners of Armsby Abbey/Crust Bakeshop/The Dive Bar
Behind the Scenes: People in the background who keep the wheels turning
- Cheryl Lapriore, Chief of staff & chief marketing officer at UMass Memorial Health Care
- Gordon Lankton, Retired president of Nypro Inc.
- Ann T. Lisi, President & CEO of the Greater Worcester Community Foundation
- Kate McEvoy-Zdonczyk, Vice president of business development at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Jim McGovern & Karyn E. Polito, U.S. Congressman & Lieutenant Governor
Next Wave: Forward thinkers ushering in the new economy
- Travis McCready, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center
- Che Anderson, Project manager at the Office of the Worcester City Manager
- Jeannie Hebert, President & CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Dean Rohan, Co-founder & owner, Tree House Brewing Co.
- Christine Thomas, Development partner at XSS Hotels and Colwen Management
Gear Shifters: Up-and-comers breathing new life into old ideas
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