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MassDevelopment In The News
Don't Hate, Appreciate Devens
May 19, 2006: Fitchburg Sentinel & Enterprise, Editorial
Devens recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the signs of the former military base's success could be seen everywhere.
Dozens of state and federal officials gathered at Devens Common on what looked like a freshly sown lawn. The beeps of construction vehicles moving in reverse floated through the air until the event began.
A new 27-acre $40 million project featuring a 121-room hotel, a 24,000-square-foot conference center and a series of convenience stores surrounded everyone.
U.S. Rep. Martin T. Meehan, in his keynote speech, said representatives whose regions have military bases set for closure approach him in the Congress aisles for tips.
"This has been such an innovative way to close a military base," he said. "We are really a national model."
But officials from Fitchburg and Leominster say they're ambivalent about the project.
They worry that Devens will swallow up potential new growth before it can make its way to North Central Massachusetts.
"It almost forces you into looking at other alternatives because they are such a driving force," Leominster City Council President Robert A. Salvatelli said.
MassDevelopment, a quasi-public agency, purchased 4,400 acres from the U.S. Army in May 1996 for $17 million, beginning Devens' redevelopment.
The agency has deep pockets and resources, helping communities develop projects by providing relatively low-interest loans, tax-exempt bonds or providing a security for a bank-issued loan.
Between 2000 and 2005, MassDevelopment has contributed about $56.6 million to Devens projects in the form of financing packages, securities and real-estate transactions, according to information provided by the agency.
That's a substantial sum, but Devens isn't the only place MassDevelopment is involved.
It has provided about $106.2 million in similar fashion for projects in Fitchburg and Leominster over the same time period, according to those figures.
But Devens still has an advantage due to its relative lack of bureaucratic red tape, Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella argues.
The Devens Enterprise Commission is a governor-appointed board that serves as a one-stop-shopping entity for a business hoping to establish itself there. That's especially important if a company recently landed a big contract and needs to expand quickly, according to Devens and MassDevelopment officials.
"It can take us forever to get someone permitted; they can do it in 30 to 60 days," Mazzarella said.
MassDevelopment's president and chief executive officer, Robert L. Culver, believes Devens' prosperity will rub off on the surrounding area.
"I think it's the theory of a rising tide: All boats rise on a rising tide," he said.
We don't necessarily buy that, but we do think local officials shouldn't worry about Devens' success.
They should take inspiration from it.
Perhaps a streamlined permitting process could work in Fitchburg and Leominster - albeit one that still ensures local residents have enough say over development.
And officials should also work effectively with the local state delegation to capture MassDevelopment's full attention and support.
Maybe North Central Massachusetts can't create another Devens.
But it should have a vision just as promising.
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