PEABODY — If there is one person who epitomizes what it means to truly give back to the community, nobody is doing it better than Corey Jackson.
Since the onset of the pandemic in March, Jackson has been burning the midnight oil at Citizens Inn, where he has served as executive director for the past seven years. Jackson says that registrations are at unprecedented levels, topping out at more than 300 percent compared to pre-pandemic figures.
But now, Jackson is reaching out to another group of people especially hard hit by the coronavirus — businesses and their owners who are struggling to stay alive — as the new president of the Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) board of directors.
“Even with things so tough everywhere, there still are so many good things that are happening,” said Jackson, who made his presidential debut at PACC’s Roaring 20s virtual fundraiser earlier this month. “Businesses have pivoted really well to adjust to the challenges caused by the pandemic. So there is a lot happening in the business community to celebrate, but many people are really struggling.”
Jackson says he feels there are several issues facing PACC members that he intends to prioritize in order to help strengthen the economy and stimulate business growth in the Peabody area, chief among them being finding alternative ways to help chamber members network.
“You can’t put COVID aside,” Jackson said. “Our top priority is making sure our members feel engaged. It’s hard because a lot of being a member is you get what you put in and that is difficult today. But we need things like ribbon-cuttings again and business engagement and collaboration. We need to get that kick-started to help (Executive Director Beth Amico) and (Program Director Maria Terris) continue their success. We have a great leader in Beth Amico. She has great experience in multi-community initiatives with many directors of boards of health across this region.”
Jackson said there is a silver lining when it comes to the pandemic businesses ramping up the creativity level.
“Those businesses that have pivoted well and have the resources necessary to continue have done really well during this time,” he said. “When things slowed down, in many cases it allowed people to be innovative, creative and get some projects done that they haven’t been able to get done. We need to get the ribbon cuttings going again to let people know the success stories as much as we need to let them know about who needs help.”
Other top priorities for Jackson and the chamber are transportation and affordable housing.
“Peabody is so locked when it comes to bus lines,” he said. “The city desperately needs a regular link to places like Salem, to the North Shore Mall, to Centennial Park. These are critical issues that have no boundaries. Transportation is one of the most important issues facing people in Peabody right now as it is one of the key barriers for our families seeking employment, seeking better incomes so they can stabilize in their new homes as well as get to everything they need to get to for their kids and for themselves.”
With respect to housing, Jackson said communication is key.
“Developers typically try to reach out to support the community and get the community behind them and try to have a conversation,” Jackson said. “I think it’s about that conversation and educating the public, the government and the business community on how to be a part of that conversation no matter where you stand, pro or against any given housing development.”
In 2017, Jackson successfully presided over the merger of Citizens Inn and Haven from Hunger. The merger resulted in one organization committed to stamping out homelessness and hunger.
Jackson has served numerous other non-profit organizations in various capacities, including managing director of Arts After Hours (a non-profit theater company working to beautify and revitalize downtown Lynn) and as vice-president of the Peabody Cultural Collaborative.
He has also volunteered with many other non-profits including the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Lynn, Northeast Arc, Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development, Centerboard (formerly Serving People in Need), Citizens for Adequate Housing, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, Lynn Museum and LynnArts.
“He is one of those people in the local community who is all things when it comes to non-profits, hunger and homelessness,” said former Executive Director Julie Daigle.
