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Emily Reichert submitting comments re: #202853, Union Sq zoning.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
I am a proud owner of Greentown Labs, a local business just outside of Union Square, and as an engaged member of the community I’m ready to see progress in our City. Let’s not forget that SomerVision was a strategic and intentional process to increase transparency and to create an open dialogue between local business owners, residents and the City of Somerville. As a result of this hard work, shared community goals and values were developed regarding job creation, housing and open space. I strongly support these goals and values. Local businesses, like mine, have been committed to SomerVision and the resulting Neighborhood Plan. Our community is ready to take the next step forward.
As you know Greentown Labs is a committed citizen to the Somerville community. We regularly tour Somerville High School students through Greentown Labs to inspire them as to what’s possible. We have actively supported the City’s focus on bringing advanced manufacturing jobs to the City through upgrading equipment and voc tech training at the high school, including the creation of a Fab Lab. I personally sit on the Board of Directors of the City of Somerville Chamber of Commerce, am a member of the Union Square Civic Advisory Committee to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority, and have served as a Union Square Strategy Leader. We are also active members of Union Square Main Streets. We have publicly advocated for the GLX at State and City hearings on multiple occasions. Greentown hosts visits of local, state, national, and international politicians and dignitaries on a regular basis, bringing global visibility to the strong and special community that is Somerville, Massachusetts. Finally, Greentown Labs supports nearly 900 direct and indirect jobs through our own business and those of our 54 members companies. We anticipate supporting nearly 50 more companies as we expand our operations to 444 Somerville Ave, starting in November 2017.
We have invested strongly in the City of Somerville over the past four years and plan to continue to do so, assuming that the City moves forward with its plans around designating Fabrication zoning, as well as continuing its strong support of the GLX. Both are critical to the continued success of our business and many others like ours. Somerville residents and business owners have fought for improvements such as the GLX expansion for decades and now it’s within our grasp. Please do not delay the efforts to continue to build our community. I firmly believe the redevelopment of Union Square will lift all boats. That’s why I’m asking you to please vote to approve zoning without delay.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter,
Emily Reichert
Chief Executive Officer
Greentown Labs