In a previous post I mentioned that I would like to review some of the 19 months of activities, with some highlights being brought forward here. Several months ago Methuen, Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover and the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce received the Kenneth Pickering Innovation in Local Government Award from the Mass Municipal Association. This award was based on the Chamber of Commerce’s the Merrimack Valley Means Business program. In essence the four communities have worked in collaboration to bring economic development to the Merrimack Valley and create a strong program to not only bring new investment to our region, but to protect existing investment and the jobs associated with those investments. In a global economy such cooperation, while not standard, is essential. I have worked with Chamber President Joseph Beviliqua on a whole range of issues, and he deserves high praise for being the spearhead of this program. Mayor Michael Sullivan of Lawrence, along with Town Manager Mark Rees of North Andover and Buzz Stapcinski of Andover have been great as well. Read the MMA description of this program at this link.