According to the Greenfield Recorder,

“A $3 million grant from the state is expected to lead to 250 new jobs for people living in the North Quabbin and Franklin County areas.

The North Quabbin Mixed-Use Development Project has been awarded a $3 million Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion Jobs grant to make multiple infrastructure improvements to develop 495,000 square feet on 300 acres between Route 2 and Route 2A.”

Our state representative Christopher Donelan has seemingly showed renewed interest in economic development. Funny how election years bring out the best in incumbents.

“Rep. Christopher Donelan, D-Orange, said he filed legislation two years ago so the town could create an economic development industrial corporation. He said that now allows the town to pursue grants and other funding from the state and federal governments.”

While I’ll not dispute the word of the state representative, I find it unfortunate that even with a super-majority Democrat legislature to work with on Beacon Hill, it took him two years to get a bill passed so a grant could go through.

Just sitting back, waiting for the Massachusetts legislature to act seems a bit lackadaisical. And let’s not forget, Representative Donelan has been in office for eight years, and it’s taken him this long to realize that the job market here needs attention?

Is it really our jobs he’s looking out for, or just his?

”This grant is the economic foundation for the successful development of the Athol Business Park, but more than that, it is a clear signal that the state is going to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in economic development,” said Donelan. ”This is a strong signal, which will result in increased private investment.”

Now while this is a good step, again I see this as the continued “Field of Dreams” mentality. Just because you build it, doesn’t mean the businesses will come. Massachusetts is not exactly the most business friendly environment, and I would hope Representative Donelan would tell us what monetary incentive is there for a business to move from one hostile area to another? My economic development plan, including the district’s designation as an economic empowerment zone, would create that incentive.

“Donelan said a number of retailers have expressed interest in moving into the park and are ready to make a commitment.”

Now while “retailers” are nice, will they have the kind of jobs that can support a mortgage, or will those living within the district still have to drive between 20 and 60 miles each way to obtain the kind of job that will feed a family?

I believe our district contains people who are capable of more than manual labor, minimum wage jobs. Our children are leaving the area because there are few jobs here that will support a family home. If this is the best Representative Donelan can do in his eighth year in office, fine.

I think we can do better than sitting and begging to Boston, so hopefully we’ll hear back in two years.