MARBLEHEAD — The town of Marblehead will be getting a helping hand from the state in the form of technical assistance grant intended to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business community.
The town will receive support from a plan facilitator appointed by the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative’s Local Rapid Recovery Planning program to implement an economic recovery plan.
“The plan will hopefully include concrete steps to ensure our local economy remains a center of vibrancy in town, maintains local jobs and supports our local businesses,” said Town Administrator Jason Silva.
Town Planner Rebecca Cutting completed the grant application, which laid out the town’s goals and strategies for the recovery, along with the efforts it has already taken in the recovery process.
“We wanted to step back and take a look at what worked and what we can do better,” said Cutting.
“We recognize that the impacts of the COVID-19 health emergency have dramatically affected local businesses,” said state Department of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox in a letter congratulating the town on receiving the grant. “Your efforts to explore solutions and projects to help revitalize businesses in your community are an effective way to plan for economic recovery.”
Maddox said the process will take place over an approximately five-month period, starting in late February.
The town will also receive one-on-one support from specific subject matter experts and participate in a series of webinars introducing it to the Rapid Recovery Planning process.
Silva said he intends to partner with the local Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders to ensure a collaborative process between the town and business community.
The program will conclude with a set of projects and strategies necessary to address COVID-19 recovery needs, Silva said.
The Marblehead business community has been hard-hit by the pandemic, said Cutting, explaining that many businesses have had to shut down or are hibernating for the winter.
“There’s over 30 empty storefronts right now,” said Cutting. “That’s one of the things that we’re going to look at. Is there something creative that we can do while they’re empty?”
Cutting hopes the grant can provide a roadmap to recovery.
“I’m optimistic,” she said. “I think this is a great project and it’s very timely.”
Guthrie Scrimgeour can be reached at [email protected].
