Economic Development & Housing
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
What is the CEDS?
The Greater Lowell Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a guide for Greater Lowell's municipalities, nonprofits, agencies, education providers, and other strategic partners to enhance regional economic resiliency, sustainability, inclusivity, and success. It contributes to effective economic development in our communities through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. Where appropriate, it seeks to integrate or leverage other regional planning efforts, including the use of state and federal funds, and leverage private sector resources and investment.
Important Documents
NMCOG serves as the economic development partner of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce for the Greater Lowell region. Through this partnership, NMCOG develops the CEDS and its annual reports, and provides staff support for the Greater Lowell CEDS Committee.
For additional information please contact NMCOG at (978) 454-8021.
Document Archive
In 2014, NMCOG completed its CEDS Update for 2010-2013 which updated economic data and reported on current economic conditions in the region. The CEDS Update also tracked the progress of projects contained in the Five-Year 2009-2013 CEDS and reviewed and updated the priority economic development projects and strategies for the region over the upcoming years. For archival copies of CEDS documents, click on the links below.
The CEDS Committee
NMCOG maintains the ongoing grassroots CEDS planning process, supports local economic development initiatives, and promotes regional economic development projects that create well-paying jobs for the region. The CEDS Committee serves as both a forum for discussion on these critical economic development topics and as a body that reviews documents such as the CEDS and the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan, making recommendations to the NMCOG Council, which adopts the plans. The committee meets on the first Thursday of March, June, September, and December and additional days as needed. The committee is always open to interested business owners, agencies, and community members. Contact Christopher Glenn Hayes at chayes@nmcog.org if you’re interested in joining.
| Name | Affiliation | Title | Description of Organization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Carter | City of Lowell | Economic Development Director | Municipality |
| Alison Manugian | Town of Dracut | Community Development Director | Municipality |
| Allison Lamey | Lowell Plan/LDFC | Executive Director | Regional Public/Private Non-profit Business Organization |
| Ann Vandal | Town of Dracut | Town Manager | Municipality |
| Arthur Ford | Sullivan Bille P.C. | CPA, Partner | Local Business |
| Bobby Tugbiyele | The Leap Network, LLC | Founder, CEO | Regional Workforce Organization |
| Bruce Rosenberg | Westford Economic Development Committee | Member | Local Economic Development Committee |
| Charles Smith | Entrepreneurship Center at Community Teamwork | Director | Small Business Support Center |
| Clare Gunther | Lowell Community Health Center | Chief Advancement and Communications Officer | Regional Health Center |
| Dan Phelps | Town of Dracut | Economic Development Project Planner | Municipality |
| Danielle McFadden | Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce | Executive Director | Chamber of Commerce |
| Eric Salerno | Town of Tyngsborough | Town Planner | Municipality |
| Erika Jerram | Town of Billerica | Director of Planning and Community Development | Municipality |
| Frank Carvalho | Mill Cities Communities Investment | Senior Consultant/Former Founding CEO | Local Bank |
| Gerard Frechette | Washington Savings Bank | Senior Vice President, Lending and Compliance | Local Bank |
| Jay Linnehan | Greater Lowell Community Foundation | Executive Director | Community Foundation |
| Jennifer Gingras | Town of Pepperell | Town Planner | Municipality |
| Kevin Coughlin | MassHire Greater Lowell Workforce Board | Executive Director | Regional Workforce Organization |
| Lisa Marrone | Town of Chelmsford | Director of Business Development | Municipality |
| Patricia Coffey | UMass Lowell | Director, Community Relations | Higher Education Institution |
| Shannon Norton Calles | MassHire Greater Lowell Career Center | Executive Director | Regional Workforce Organization |
| Sothea Chiemruom | Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association | Executive Director | Non-profit Community Action Agency |
| Stephanie Cronin | Middlesex 3 Coalition | Executive Director | Regional Public/Private Non-profit Business Organization |
| Stephen Themelis | Town of Pepperell | Select Board Member and Owner of Niklaus Painting and Construction Company | Municipality |
| Steve Joncas | Joncas Associates | President | Real Estate Development Consultant |
| Steve Sadwick | Town of Tewksbury | Assistant Town Manager | Municipality |
| Yun-Ju Choi | Coalition for a Better Acre | Executive Director | Non-profit Community Action Agency |
| Brent Carney | Lowell Community Health Center | Communications and Marketing Director | Regional Health Center |