Looking into the future, high-speed internet and sustainable energy are going to be the cornerstones of economic development infrastructure, even more so than now. As part of a $30-million expansion at SELCO, Christopher Roy is creating symmetrical broadband speeds at the gigabit level or higher, which will be key in attracting new businesses, particularly tech companies, relying on the highest level of internet connectivity.
While laying the groundwork for this economic growth, Roy and SELCO are providing internet as a community benefit by partnering with Shrewsbury Public Schools to provide free broadband access for students. On the electricity front, SELCO has developed a power procurement strategy to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the town’s electricity by 2032, while still offering lower rates to businesses and residents than investor-owned utilities like National Grid or Eversource Energy.
SELCO is further encouraging environmental sustainability by offering commercial and residential electric vehicle rebates, charging station rebates, and rebates for battery lawn equipment, all while implementing a $3.4-million smart meter project. As the leader behind all this strategy, Roy is giving Shrewsbury a competitive edge in attracting all types of new economic development.
What sets the Central Mass. business community apart from the rest of the world? Central Massachusetts offers access to robust infrastructure, leading academic institutions, and attractive communities, providing the ideal environment for conducting business and maintaining a high-performing workforce.
That would have been a different career path: In college, I performed agility drills for an NFL recruiter.
