NMCOG Annual Meeting Panel Discussion

A panel discussion by local experts on Economic Development and Prosperity across the Greater Lowell region.

00:00 Panelist Introductions
01:33 LINC Project Overview, Anne Maglia, Ph.D.
10:28 Panel Discussion
51:26 Audience Q&A

Panelists:
Alison Lamey, Executive Director, The Lowell Plan and Lowell Development and Financial Corp.
Dan Rivera, Interim Executive Director, Coalition for a Better Acre, and Immediate Past President, MassDevelopment
Anne Maglia, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, UMass Lowell
Christopher Hayes, AICP, Housing and Economic Development Program Manager, NMCOG

Moderator:
Kelly Lynema, AICP, Deputy Director, NMCOG

The panel discussion focused on the balance between economic growth, workforce development, and preventing displacement in Lowell, with a particular emphasis on UMass Lowell's LINC project—a 10-acre development on the East Campus. The project includes 600,000 sq. ft. of industry-university space, 500 units of housing, and key partnerships with companies like Draper and SAIC.

The conversation highlighted workforce development initiatives like the Bioversity program, which offers significant training opportunities and competitive salaries to prepare individuals, including those from underserved communities, for careers in biotech and other industries like microelectronics and cybersecurity. The panel stressed the importance of mixed-income housing, community engagement, and transportation to ensure that new development benefits existing residents without displacing them. Additionally, they discussed the importance of regional collaboration and inclusive economic development to ensure that growth leads to regional, broad, and equitable prosperity.