2008 Public Policy Initiatives

Chamber Mission – “The North Shore Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to shaping policy and events so that decisions by business and government results in a better North Shore as place to live and work.”  Directors of the North Shore Chamber of Commerce should plan to write letters, attend meetings and communicate with elected officials and others to ensure to the voice of business is heard, so that together we can speak for the North Shore with one, powerful and respected voice.

Regionalization and Economic Development: The Chamber works to assist communities in promoting regional solutions to shared opportunities such as libraries, police and fire coverage, emergency medical care, uniform economic development approval processes and similar challenges facing economic growth on the North Shore. In addition, we seek to strengthen the attractiveness of the region to the health care industry, especially the Biotechnology and Medical Device sectors, which hold the promise of economic growth and job creation.• March 2007 Meeting with Mayors/Business Leaders • Salem Courts • Streamline Permitting Process • 911 Regional Dispatch • Proposed Economic Development Organization

Transportation: The Chamber will continue to be a leading voice for investment in the North Shore transportation infrastructure. Projects such as improvements to Route 128, Route 95, Route 1, the Blue Line extension to Lynn and Salem, and intra-regional bus service all can have a significant impact on economic development. Airport and seaport development are also crucial to the region. • Improvements to Route 128 • Blue Line extension to Lynn and Salem • Airport and Seaport development

Education and Workforce Training: As the economy rebounds, workforce development will increase in importance. The Chamber supports both technical and professional training and educational programs at the secondary and collegiate level. We work closely with our community, state, and private colleges, and we are active in the North Shore Workforce Investment Board (WIB), and believe that private sector involvement with WIB is crucial to economic development. • New Tech School • Salem University • Workforce Investment Board

Health Care: The rising cost of health care in a state renowned for its excellent hospitals and facilities continues to threaten the competitiveness of our region. Your Chamber is working at the state level to address this issue and the Implementation of new Universal Health Care. • Implementation of new Universal Health Care

Energy:  Safe, reliable, reasonably priced energy is vital to support our regional and statewide businesses.  Our growing North Shore region will continue to benefit by having its own source of electric generation. The  Chamber fully supports fuel diversity, energy reliability/affordability and thus supports the continued operation of the Salem Harbor Generating Station. • LNG Offshore (Gloucester) Facilities • Wind Turbines • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development

Environment and Clean Water – With concerns being voiced about available/clean water, it will be important for business to have input into Environmental regulations that will dictate development by allowing communities to take a st amount of water from the Ipswich River Watershed, the Saugus River.  The Chamber seeks to ensure that all options are considered to assure clean water for our future. • Brownfields clean-up/Developments • Adequate Supply of Clean Water -  Ipswich River watershed Association • Wind Turbines

Affordable Housing: A trained workforce is only one important step. We also need to provide affordable housing to attract and retain that workforce. The current scarcity of affordable housing at many price ranges hinders the ability of employers to recruit qualified workers. The Chamber seeks to support projects and process which will lead to more such housing in our region, i.e. smart growth initiatives. • Keep in contact with major area housing developers – Windover, Avalon, Highlands at Dearborn, etc.

Local:
Local issues that have a substantial impact on the region including: Promote use of Brownfield Sites, Encourage New Gas Pipeline, Ensure Clean and Adequate water supplies, Tax Classification, and Privatization of Services.

State:
Major priorities at the state level are: Health Care Reform, Economic Development Legislation, Affordable Housing, Education Reform (MCAS),Workforce Development, Paid Parental Leave.

Federal:
Focus on federal legislation that affects all businesses such as: Social Security Reform, Air Transportation Safety, Internet Sales Taxes, WTO Agreements, Upgrade Armed Forces

Coalitions:
The Chamber works with other major business organizations in study groups and coalitions to assure that any changes in the tax regulations are fair and equitable and do not adversely impact business in the Commonwealth.

Networking:
The Chamber will continue its very successful networking activities in association with the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, as well as with other Chambers in Eastern Massachusetts.

For more information call (978) 774-8565.