BRAINTREE, WEYMOUTH and ROCKLAND, MA, ISSUED JUNE 10, 2019…Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined South Shore Chamber of Commerce (www.southshorechamber.org) and South Shore Economic Development Corp. (SSEDC) leaders, Braintree Mayor Joe Sullivan, Weymouth Mayor Bob Hedlund, and area developers in a discussion held June 4 that focused on economic development and housing initiatives both generally around the Commonwealth and more specifically throughout the South Shore and the Braintree/Weymouth Landing.
Throughout the discussion, which started at Landing 53 (25 Commercial Street, Braintree), Lt. Gov. Polito discussed how the initiative, South Shore 2030, launched by the South Shore Chamber is very similar to what she and Governor Baker are looking to achieve across the Commonwealth, and how the leadership of the mayors and the business community took this vision and made it a reality at the Landing. A plan is important, she said, but without resources and partnerships, it cannot be implemented.
Lt. Gov. Polito was joined in her remarks by Peter Forman, executive director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce; Rich Beal, Chairman of the South Shore Economic Development Corp.; Jim Dunphy, Chairman of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Sullivan; Mayor Hedlund; Dan Sterner, principal of Forest Properties (which manages Landing 53); Joe Gratta, developer of 143-145 Washington Street; Metri Metri, developer of 165 Washington Street; and Michael Kiley, developer of 10 Front Street. The group walked through the Landing and discussed some of the other ongoing projects taking place in the Braintree/Weymouth neighborhood.
“The completed and ongoing projects at the Landing are such a great example of the important revitalization that can occur when housing is recognized as a key initiative for greater economic development,” said Forman. “We are grateful to Lieutenant Governor Polito for taking the time to visit this neighborhood firsthand, and for helping us encourage more leaders within the business community to get involved.”
The South Shore Chamber of Commerce has previously come out in support of Governor Baker’s Housing Choice Initiative and proposed housing legislation (H.3507), which encourages cities and towns to adopt zoning best practices related to housing development by changing the threshold from a super-majority (66%) to a simple majority (51%) on nine types of zoning reform, giving towns the tools to introduce new housing types and support local economic activity and growth.
For more information about the South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s 2030 plan, a comprehensive agenda to preserve the quality of life and promote the future economic growth for the South Shore, please visit www.southshore2030.com.
About the South Shore Chamber of Commerce
The South Shore Chamber of Commerce has long been recognized throughout the state as one of the most active and forceful advocates for the business community and numbers among the larger Chambers of Commerce nationally. The South Shore Chamber is a not-for-profit association of businesses in the communities south of Boston. It is committed to helping its members grow their businesses and to improve the business climate in the region. Members range in size from major international corporations headquartered on the South Shore to small local firms and sole proprietorships. For additional information on the Chamber, please visit www.southshorechamber.org or call 781-421-3900.
