Select board group discusses economic recovery in downtown business districts

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the Massachusetts Select Board Association’s Annual Leadership Conference has been restructured as a series of free webinars to be conducted over the coming months.

The second of these webinars, held this afternoon, featured a discussion aimed at experienced select board members about state and local economic recovery efforts in the wake of COVID-19.

Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy gave an overview of the state’s reopening plan and what’s ahead in later phases. He also covered a variety of state and federal grant opportunities available to municipalities as they work on economic recovery plans, and an economic recovery bill that is set for a hearing on Friday, June 26.

Arlington Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine and Chatham Town Manager Jill Goldsmith discussed economic recovery efforts in their towns.

Chapdelaine discussed the work of Arlington’s Economic Recovery Task Force, including the use of a consumer survey to guide the group in policy development.

Goldsmith presented a seasonal community’s approach to economic recovery, with an emphasis on collaboration through Chatham’s Downtown/Main Street Working Group.

The next webinar of the Leadership Conference series, scheduled for July 15, will be targeted toward newly elected select board members.

• Tales of a Seasonal Community; A Perfect Storm of Collaboration – Chatham presentation (3.8M PDF)
• Arlington’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Efforts (390K PDF)
• Addressing the Economic Challenges of COVID-19 – EOHED presentation (1.6M PDF)