2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT

CollaboratingCollaboratingfor Prosperityfor Prosperity

Corporate Investors – Platinum DivisionBose Corporation • Bowditch & Dewey LLP

Carruth Capital LLC • IBM

HARVARD

BOLTON

SHREWSBURY

ACTONBOXBOROUGH

STOWMAYNARD

HUDSONSUDBURYBERLIN

MARLBOROUGHWAYLAND

NATICK

WESTBOROUGH

ASHLAND

NORTHBOROUGHFRAMINGHAM

HOLLISTON

SHERBORN

MILLIS

MEDWAYMILFORD

MEDFIELD

HOPEDALE

BELLINGHAMFOXBOROUGH

FRANKLIN

WRENTHAM

NORFOLK

SOUTHBOROUGH

495

90

95

LITTLETON

HOPKINTON

290

495495//MetroWestMetroWestPPartnershiartnershipp

Leaders for Regional Prosperity

Thanks to our diversified economy, wide range of employers, andconcentration of highly skilled workers, the 495/MetroWest region isleading Massachusetts’ emergence from the recession.

While there are many examples of how 495/MetroWest is helping thestate’s economic recovery, a few of the highlights include:

• Groundbreaking for MathWorks’ expansion in Natick;• Genzyme’s construction of a BioManufacturing facility in

Framingham as well as establishing an operations center inNorthborough;

• Opening of IBM’s largest North American software lab inLittleton and Westford;

• Wastewater infrastructure linkage between Hopkinton andMilford to allow expansion of Lonza and other employers; and

• The decision by Cisco Systems to locate their Mobile InternetTechnology Group at their facilities in Boxborough.

The Partnership is evolving to meet shifting priorities and needs dueto the economic recovery. Some of these developments have beennecessitated by changed economic circumstances, particularly midyearcutbacks in state funding for our work.

Other changes have been caused by a renewed appreciation of the needfor regional economic development and public-private collaboration.The Partnership coordinated the state’s seven other regional economicdevelopment entities, and secured a specific source of state funding forregional economic development. An Investor Relations Committee hasbeen formed to build on the elevated importance of private sectorinvolvement in our initiatives, and to raise awareness and create closerties among the region’s employers. Beyond the Partnership’s own evolu-tion, our affiliated Charitable Trust has become an active mechanism tosolicit and accept philanthropic investments and involvement in the495/MetroWest region’s continued prosperity.

The Partnership continues to serve our mission of advocating on behalfof the 495/MetroWest region; much progress has been made.

Corporate Investors – Gold DivisionCisco Systems • Day Pitney LLP • EMC2 CorporationFidelity Investments • Genzyme Corporation • NSTAR

495/MetroWestPartnership

Over the last year, the Partnership’s work calling attention to the region’s transportation infra-structure and transit needs has secured responses from the Patrick-Murray Administration, ourstate legislators, and our Congressional delegation, and produced real results.

Our transportation infrastructure and transit services are crucial to the continued economicgrowth of the 495/MetroWest region. With the Partnership’s sustained and coordinatedadvocacy and fresh leadership from the state’s new Department of Transportation (MassDOT),

some of the region’slong-standing prioritiesare finally beingaddressed as seen to theright.

Special thanks to Transportation Committee Co-Chairs Robert Nagi of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin,Inc. and Vera Kolias of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (formerly theTown Planner in Southborough).

The recent Metropolitan Water Resources Authority system failure did not directly impact the495/MetroWest region, but it illustrated the importance of attention and investment in our waterinfrastructure systems.

The Partnership’s Water ResourcesCommittee has been meeting regu-larly with state and federal agencyrepresentatives and private sectorexperts, to brief the region on ongo-ing regulatory initiatives and todevelop consensus on how to addresscritical water resource challenges.While there are a number of ongoingdevelopments and initiatives affectingthe region’s water infrastructureneeds, the Partnership has provided akey leadership role for the region onthese issues as seen on the left.

Special thanks to Water Resources Committee Co-Chairs Gerry Preble of Beals + Thomas andMartin Pillsbury of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.

T R A N S P O R T A T I O N

W A T E R R E S O U R C E S

The I-495/I-290 InterchangePaul Kapteyn, photo courtesy of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette

� Supporting state legislation to secure $186million in federal stimulus dollars for cleanwater grants by lowering an interest rate ona state revolving loan fund.

� Advocating for the establishment of theCommonwealth’s Water InfrastructureFinance Commission, to develop a compre-hensive review on the need for investment inwater infrastructure as well as proposals tofinance these needs.

� Offering technical resources on low impactdevelopment techniques from municipalexperts and a leading residential projectwithin the region.

� Providing briefings and opportunities forregional input to state and federal agencies,including: the U.S. EPA on their MunicipalSeparate Storm Sewer System (MS4)General Permit; the US Army Corps ofEngineers on their Sediment and DamRemoval Feasibility Study on the AssabetRiver; and the Massachusetts DEP onstormwater initiatives and reclaimed waterregulations.

� Hosting discussions and presentations on theU.S. EPA’s pending use of residual designationauthority to institute new stormwater runoffrequirements in Bellingham, Franklin, andMilford, and developing regional consensus onresponding to this regulatory initiative.

� Securing attention to the needs of theWorcester/Framingham Commuter Rail Line,including: the state purchasing CSX-ownedtracks and the planned expansion of servicewest of Framingham.

� Providing regional input into the implemen-tation of the Fitchburg Commuter Rail LineImprovement Project, by building on thePartnership’s success at securing federalstimulus funds for the doubletracking ofthe commuter rail line to Littleton andadvocating for the expansion of the Littletonand Acton commuter rail stations.

� Hosting a roundtable on improving the I-495/I-290 interchange for Congressman JimMcGovern, Jeff Mullan, Secretary and CEOof MassDOT, and key municipal officials.

� Securing federal stimulus funds to addressregional needs such as the reconstruction ofPulaski Boulevard in Bellingham and theRoute 9 resurfacing project in Natick andFramingham.

� Convening a briefing on the Route 9resurfacing project by the Highway Divisionof MassDOT for businesses impacted by theproject.

� Providing regional input to MassDOT as theyconsolidate the Massachusetts TurnpikeAuthority and state agencies.

Corporate Investors – Silver DivisionCommunity Newspaper Co. • Fallon Community Health Plan • Framingham State College

MetroWest Medical Center/St. Vincent Hospital • Middlesex Savings BankPatriot Place • Staples • TJX Companies • TransAction Associates

Leaders forRegional Prosperity

Over the past year the Partnership has been focused on the retention of our region’s employers, as wellas ensuring that the region has a voice in statewide economic development initiatives. In recognition ofthe region’s growing importance, the state has been very attentive, particularly Secretary of Housing andEconomic Development Greg Bialecki, who has been committed to strong state collaboration with thePartnership.

Massachusetts is facing daunting energy use challenges. Rising fuel costs, an aging electric grid, andexternalities associated with energy production are just a few of the numerous energy related issues weface. With the emphasis on theimportance of addressing energychallenges, the Partnership’sEconomic Development Committeeexpanded its mission to Energy andSustainable Development.

Beyond our work with the state’sExecutive Office of Housing andEconomic Development, theMassachusetts Office of BusinessDevelopment, and our legislativedelegation the Partnership hasremained a critical leader of regionaleconomic development efforts asseen to the left.

Special thanks to Energy and Sustainable Development Committee Co-Chairs Kathleen Freeman ofNSTAR and Beth Dahlstrom of the Town of Franklin.

Given the current state of the economy, public-private collaboration and joint leadership is nowimperative to the state and region’s ability to successfully compete in the global marketplace. ThePartnership’s work advocating on behalf of the 495/MetroWest region is critical, not only to addressing

our infrastructure needs but also to ensuring thatour region has a voice in larger policy deliberations.

To do so, the Partnership has continued toprovide a unique opportunity for the region’sdiverse constituencies, interests, and leaders tomeet and forge consensus on the major challengesconfronting the region. As a result, our public andprivate sector leaders have benefited from thishonest exchange of ideas and perspectives acrossideological boundaries.

These activities cut across all of our initiatives;read about several highlights of our activities overthe past year to the right.

Special thanks to Legislative and Regulatory Action Committee members Ned Bartlett of Bowditch& Dewey LLP; Gino Carlucci of the Town of Sherborn; Michelle Ciccolo of the Town of Hudson; RobNagi of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.; Glen Trindade of the Town of Medway; and Scott Weiss ofThe Gutierrez Company.

E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

IBM Mass Lab, Littleton, Massachusetts

� Holding State House Day with SenatePresident Therese Murray, who sharedher intentions to comprehensively reformthe state’s economic development struc-ture and formalize the role of regionalentities such as the Partnership.

� Securing the passage of legislationestablishing a Special Commission on theFuture of Westborough State Hospital,in order to ensure a comprehensivedialogue among Westborough, North-borough, and the wide range of stateagencies affected by the ongoing closureof the facility, and to forge a cleardirection for the future of any surplusedproperty.

� Working with a number of other regionalorganizations to develop a consensusposition on gaming issues, so that ourlegislators could have grass roots supportin their efforts to ensure that any gaminglegislation took into account the495/MetroWest region’s needs.

� Advocating for legislation on the state’stax code that governs retailers head-quartered in 495/MetroWest region –BJ’s Wholesale Club, Staples, and TJXCompanies – to provide incentives fortheir further growth.

� Conducting our annual EconomicForum to provide an indicators reportwith data from Framingham StateCollege, as a well as a commercial realestate report from Richards BarryJoyce & Partners, LLC.

� Providing perspective to the Legis-lature on regional development andendorsing the Senate President’s andSenator Spilka’s economic develop-ment reform legislation.

� Participating in the development ofthe ReadyMass real estate marketinginitiative by the state and MassEcon,including identifying the region’s topdevelopment properties and participatingin a visit by national site selectors.

� Providing regional input into thepublic-private marketing campaign,Massachusetts: It’s All Here.

� Providing regional feedback and inputon the changes to the Commonwealth’sEconomic Development IncentiveProgram.

� Holding a regional briefing by thestate’s Department of EnergyResources on the Commonwealth’sGreen Communities program

� Working with key regional and stateleaders to support Natick SoldierSystems Center and explore potentialnew initiatives.

A D V O C A C Y

Senate President Therese Murray

This annual report is dedicated to the memory and unique leadershipof Ambassador Richard J. Egan, whose success in business and

commitment to the region transformed 495/MetroWest.

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR THE PARTNERSHIP � Working with the Patrick/MurrayAdministration and the region on thedevelopment of the 495/MetroWestDevelopment Compact.

� Releasing an Energy Guide profiling bestpractices on energy conservation andproviding resources on the state’songoing energy initiatives, such as theGreen Communities Act.

� Continuing to work with Legislative leaderson reforming the state’s economicdevelopment structure, and formalizingthe role and responsibilities of  regionalorganizations such as the Partnership.

� Pushing for the design and funding of theI-495/I-290 interchange project.

� Building on the work of the Partnership’sCharitable Trust, to expand resourcesavailable to address regional constraints.

� Participating on the Westborough StateHospital Special Commission, andproviding technical assistance to supportdeliberations.

� Working with Bellingham, Franklin, andMilford and other interested parties onthe U.S. EPA’s proposed phosphorusrunoff program.

� Providing regional input on the use offederal funding to address the I-495/Route 9 interchange.

Corporate Investors – Bronze DivisionAvidia Bank • Beals + Thomas • Capaccio Environmental Engineering • Comcast Corporation

The Gutierrez Company • HNTB • J.M. Coull, Inc. • Kleinfelder/SEA Consultants • Marlborough HospitalMilford Regional Medical Center • Mirick O’Connell • NAIOP Massachusetts • National Development

Richard Barry Joyce & Partners, LLC • St. Mary’s Credit Union • Woodard & Curran • Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

495495//MetroWestMetroWestPPartnershiartnershipp

Leaders for Regional Prosperity

200 Friberg ParkwaySuite 1003

Westborough, MA 01581774-760-0495

www.495partnership.org

Partnership Officers

Partnership Staff

Public Sector Co-ChairDennis GiombettiTown of FraminghamBoard of Selectmen

Private Sector Co-ChairRobert Nagi

Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.

Executive DirectorPaul Matthews

Public Sector Vice-ChairGlenn Trindade

Town of MedwayBoard of Selectmen

Private Sector Vice-ChairAnn Stanesa

Genzyme Corporation

Deputy Director of SustainableDevelopment ProgramsAdam Ploetz, AICP

TreasurerMarc VerreaultCarruth Capital LLC

ClerkPeter Martin

Bowditch and Dewey LLP

Deputy Director of Public Policyand Public AffairsJessica Strunkin

Our work has been critical during this economic downturn. While much has been accomplished bythe Partnership on behalf of the 495/MetroWest region, more remains to be done. 

As noted a few years ago by one of the Partnership’s architects, Ambassador Richard J. Egan, thefounder of EMC:

“I’m proud to announce that the Partnership has not only met their originalexpectations, but exceeded them. Most importantly, the Partnership has fulfilled itspromise to serve as our regional voice with policymakers, and its commitment topublic-private collaboration has drawn increased attention to our regional needs.”

This commitment to public-private collaboration is all the more important in today’s economy, whereMassachusetts and 495/MetroWest are competing against regions across the globe.  While thePartnership has made a real difference, many of our competitor regions have similar organizations,but with longer history, formal governmental authority, and deeper financial resources.  As theeconomic recovery continues, the Partnership’s role in safeguarding and advocating for the 495/MetroWest region is critical not only to our regional economy, but to the entire Commonwealth. 

The stability of the Partnership provides a consistent regional voice across a shifting policy landscape.Beyond the Partnership’s overarching advocacy role, to the right you can review some of theinitiatives that we are currently involved in that will provide real returns to the region over theupcoming year.

The Partnership’s past accomplishments and continued success depends upon the support ofindividuals, companies, corporations, and organizations throughout the region.  Thank you to all whohave been involved in our success.

To learn more about participating in the Partnership, go to www.495partnership.orgor call 774-760-0495.