REGIONAL – The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce is creating the Georgetown and Groveland Business Alliance to help solve challenges faced by small businesses, retailers and professional service firms.
The Haverhill chamber has already established a similar group in Methuen, Working with David P. “D.J.” Beauregard Jr., the mayor.
The new business-marketing group will meet with the chamber CEO Katie Cook, state legislators and town administrators at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on May 14 at Nichols Village in Groveland. The event is free. It is hosted by G. Mello Disposal Corp.
“We are looking for feedback from businesses,” said Cook, the former chief operating officer for state auditor Diana DeZoglio.
The chamber believes investment and collaboration are a key to the region’s economic success.
Cook is also looking for hosts for networking opportunities like morning coffees or after work get-togethers. If interested in hosting an event, call Cook at 978-479-2152.
The initial reaction from local businesses has been positive, Cook said. Once the word spread on social media, a Groveland business joined, she said.
Cook also plans to create a similar business networking group next fall in Boxford and Topsfield.
Historically, these towns surrounding Haverhill in northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire were part of the Haverhill and today Cook believes they remain a cohesive urban market. That includes Amesbury, which has its own active chamber of commerce, but the smaller towns do not and create an opportunity to build their businesses through the chamber, she said. ♦
