Northern Middlesex COG Seeking Input On Regional Development

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Northern Middlesex Council of Governments is seeking input on obstacles, opportunities and benefits for businesses in the Greater Lowell region, as part of developing a five-year development plan. The council, which includes Tewksbury, Lowell and seven other towns, is the local partner of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration. Five-year plans are required to remain eligible for funding and assistance from the Administration, according to a presentation made in town last week.

The survey, which you can take here, asks residents where they live, how long they have lived in the region, what they do, and three questions related to economic development.

The town hosted a presentation on the five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy at the Tewksbury Public Library on Jan. 21, joined by the COG leadership. According to the presentation, the Strategy summarizes the current economic resources, lays out a vision for the region, identifies goals and includes priority projects for the region. The timeline calls for submitting the plan to the Economic Development Administration in May.

The full presentation is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.