Murray Pledges Aggressive Approach To Business Development
Former Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray had a much shorter commute to work this morning as he started his new job as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
In an interview this morning in his new downtown office (he held his last public event as lieutenant governor Friday), Murray pledged an aggressive and proactive approach to economic development.
"That means researching and anticipating emerging sectors, identifying obstacles right now for existing businesses in the region and doing a detailed analysis of the regional economy," Murray said.
That information will help inform the chamber's strategy on businesses to try to attract to the area as it works on the other part of its dual mission – helping existing member businesses with their needs.
"It's an inside-outside game," Murray said.
One of the first tasks he expects to tackle is seeing what can be done about rising water and sewer rates for businesses in and around Worcester, partly the result of what he described as "onerous" federally required upgrades to the sewage treatment plant that services the Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District.
Worcester city councilors last week approved water and sewer rate hikes of 20 cents and 42 cents, respectively.
Murray, who turns 45 on Friday, enters an organization that lost money in 2010 and 2011, according to filings. But chamber leaders have since said its finances have improved. Murray praised outgoing CEO Richard Kennedy and the organization's staff for stabilizing the financial picture.
The Worcester native and former mayor and city councilor is as familiar with the city as anyone. He still expects a learning curve in his new role, but acknowledges that he enters the position with some advantages.
"Where I think there's less of a learning curve for me is knowing a lot of the people, players and organizations that are going to be key players in creating good jobs locally within the Central Mass. region," he said.
One of the first things Murray did this morning (before meeting with various reporters), was email chamber members to introduce himself and encourage feedback.
Though he has held public office for over a decade, Murray wrote that he understands the challenges businesses face.
"As a partner in a small law firm for nearly 12 years, I became familiar with many of the challenges facing Worcester business owners, whether it be payroll, health insurance, taxes or managing employees," he wrote. "In this capacity, I learned what it means to sign the front of a paycheck, not just the back."
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