Why I'm voting Bruce Chester
Scott M. Graves is founder of SMGraves Associates and an economic development professional. Together with Bruce Chester, the two co-host a political podcast on Graves's M the Media Project Channel called, 'On the Rocks Politica'. Graves is also Bruce Chester's Campaign Manager.
Thoughts on Election Day, 2022
2nd Worcester District of Massachusetts
Scott Michael Graves
I operate my own business, which provides economic development programming. Among the tools we develop are business incubators. We also participate with a number of partners in the development and investment of residential real estate in multiple New England states.
We are committed to a data-driven approach when it comes to economic development. This means there is never a moment we aren’t learning something new, whether from data sources or from the realities of the marketplace.
As is often said, ‘the devils in the details.’ While, on the surface I’ve been encouraged by the renewed interest in Gardner’s residential real estate market, I have concerns based on what I have learned regarding urban and rural development.
Nearly all of the new wealth that will be generated by the re-development of residential real estate in this community will be siphoned off to other locales, as the developers encouraged to participate in Gardner are nearly all from out of town, with several wonderful exceptions aside.
It takes discipline and patience to encourage local growth. I don’t believe at this time our leadership has much of either.
Another key aspect that remains concerning to me as an economic development professional lies in our commercial sector. I speak on the subject in my recent podcast episode regarding the importance of organic growth in a community’s commercial sector.
Communities that focus on home-grown, innovation-based commercial growth reduce their risk for constant outflow of business. They do so by encouraging local development of businesses that are properly investing in next-gen products and services. This has been done to great effect in communities such as Littleton, CO and Rochester, NY.
The result on municipal tax rolls is a positive one for both city government and citizens alike. Cities can reduce their reliance on state or federal grant programs not targeted towards local needs or tax incentive programs that give value away. No longer does the city poach business from afar, business that most likely has no local loyalty to you and I. Ever-growing commercial property taxes from new sources means reducing pressure on the poor and fixed-income residential property taxpayers.
To do the opposite is to create a downward spiral of outflow for both business and citizens. We’ve been experiencing this trend in Gardner and the entire district for some time.
Growing taxes this way eliminates citizen resentment and ensures our cities can make meaningful investments in education, safety, infrastructure, etc. This assumes the government sector is both competent and transparent.
Finally, encouraging mixed-use development in existing downtown locales or in new development opportunities (such as Gardner’s former Garbose Metal Yard property) plays a key role in generating a maximum tax benefit while providing citizens a vibrant landscape for both living and working.
An important measure to consider is something called the tax revenue per acre ratio. Throughout the US including here in Gardner, even under-utilized downtowns and poor urban neighborhoods end up subsidizing suburban development on the outskirts of most cities and small towns alike.
Recent downtown development in Gardner is emphasizing housing at the total expense of commercial amenities. Over the long term this will not position the city for a strong, diversified and consistently productive ecosystem.
In the eighteen years I’ve been a resident of this city I’ve watched us transform considerably during this post-industrial period. I believe we consistently miss out on optimal opportunities, especially those that take patience and a commitment to growth that is intentional and localized.
Moreover, it has been my experience that there is precious little room at the public policy table for recent transplants to be taken seriously and given an equal opportunity to weigh in on what could be our future. This is a matter of moral ethic and fairness; not just that the right decisions get made but the maximum number of residents who wish to engage in the process are a part of the decisions and their benefits. This is a matter for more than economics. It’s a matter of defining who wins and who loses and how we steward democracy.
I’ve never been more concerned than with the current regime which includes our current member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Jon Zlotnik.
His opponent Bruce Chester has consistently reached out to me since we met three years ago to ask smart, inquisitive questions. Bruce has shown a level of open-mindedness and the kind of personal confidence that allows him to both lead when he knows what’s right and rely on those surrounding him when he doesn’t have all the answers. Bruce is ok with sharing the spotlight and places a priority on listening to people, especially those he may not agree with. He has remained open to the notion that economic development is about more than just shiny new things. More than just chasing the next grant. It’s about letting the private sector optimize. It’s about lifting up the poor by working directly with the poor. It’s about a conscious effort to build wealth and keep wealth within our civic borders.
It is about listening more than you speak.
It is about more long nights in the office and learning from others and less photo-ops in sharp suits.
It is for these reasons this liberal and registered independent, one who prioritizes policy and civic priorities over party affiliation will be voting for Bruce Chester on November 8, 2022.
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