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Date: 8/21/2015
HOLYOKE – Mayoral candidate Fran O’ Connell has released an eight-point economic development plan for the city that includes the creation of a grants coordinator and a committee of representatives of private sector that would draft an economic development plan for the city.
O’Connell told Reminder Publications he knows that various city departments have grant writers, but he envisions one person who would be aware of all of the grants being written in the city, do research on grants that are available and help develop a strategic plan for grants.
He likened Holyoke’s high rate of poverty to putting the city in the same place as the lowest National Football League team that receives the top draft choice.
“Many grants are perfect for us,” he said.
He believes that in the $125 million city budget, the money for the new position could be found.
“It’s an investment,” he added.
O’Connell believes that neighboring cities may be doing better than Holyoke in securing grants and said, “Any leader of a town can learn from surrounding towns that are doing well.”
Another point in his plan is “ensuring efficient and predictable business-friendly permitting processes.” He said his “own personal difficulties [in business permitting] was one of the reasons I got into the race.”
He added, “It is my job to serve the customers, the citizens of Holyoke.”
Several parts of his plan have to do with business creation and retention. O’Connell said he would “aggressively and proactively” market the city’s assets – such as low cost electricity – nationally.
He said his approach would be to identify companies that could benefit form being in Holyoke and contacting them.
The plan also includes:
• “Establishment of the Mayor’s Executive Committee on Economic Development, chaired by the Mayor, with weekly meetings of members, comprised of representatives from the public and private sectors, whose principal charge would be to create and oversee the execution of a detailed action plan for economic development in the city.”
• “Implementation of a Business Retention and Expansion Program that would include regularly scheduled meetings with our existing businesses in order to assist them with their needs.
• “Fostering an educated and job-ready local workforce by driving the improvement of the academic performance of Holyoke students by connecting businesses, learning institutions and community agencies.
• “Creating and sustaining a safe, clean, green and fiscally sound business environment.”
• “Promoting Holyoke’s central location, prime business sites, and water and energy infrastructure.”
• “Actively recruiting new businesses through tax incentives and a comprehensive marketing plan to promote Holyoke that includes advertisement in the trade journals and attendance at the trade conferences of targeted industry sectors.”
O’Connell said, “My economic development action plan will reinvigorate our city. I see economic development as a top responsibility of the Mayor’s office. As an experienced businessperson, I understand that a plan is only as good as its execution. I will assume a hands-on leadership role as mayor to ensure a successful economic development effort in the city of Holyoke. We need to create jobs for our citizens and I pledge to work tirelessly in that effort.”