Commerce & Economy

Leading up to the November 4 local election, the Newton Beacon asked candidates in competitive elections for mayor and city council how they would improve commerce and the local economy in Newton.

John Chaimanis, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Shopping and working locally are some of the best things that we can do to achieve many goals including sustainability, increased revenue, and community building.  We only have one full time staff person at the City overseeing economic development. We need to invest in economic development staff, they are a “sales engine” of our city.  We should target creating a $3+ return on each dollar we invest. The staff members, working with the EDC should focus on recruiting attractive retail and commercial tenants to Newton. We need to make the permit approval process for new businesses and food establishments easier and quicker. We should tap into our native resources – our residents.  We have such rich knowledge in our residents, including many entrepreneurs, and we should be starting and launching businesses from here. I would propose that we establish a business incubator that focuses on starting and launching businesses.  

Cyrus Dahmubed, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: I would propose a first-of-its-kind Small Business Preservation Plan modeled on inclusionary zoning programs, and intended to work with anticipated growth in our Village Centers, by encouraging developers and owners to keep small businesses in their communities, and providing a strategy for their survival and success even during construction periods. I’d also recommend streamlining and clarifying the process for opening businesses, and for making small, commonplace changes to their spaces. This should help to minimize upfront costs so businesses can get their doors open quickly and efficiently, and ensure they feel supported throughout the process. By reducing the costs to open, we also help make these businesses more affordable for customers to shop at. Finally, I’d support creating new areas for business through a “form-based-light” zoning in our underused and unused industrial/manufacturing areas that would create options for residential, mixed-use, and commercial growth.

Lisa Gordon, City Council Candidate, Ward 6 At-Large: Newton needs a more proactive approach to economic development. The City should invest in people and resources to promote Newton and attract new businesses, while also addressing concerns about an unpredictable and confusing permitting process. I will listen to local business owners, landlords, and community leaders to understand their needs, take steps to support them, and help our village centers thrive.

Julie Irish, City Council Candidate, Ward 5: Our local economy thrives when existing businesses feel supported and new ones feel welcomed. I would work to streamline and modernize the permitting process so that any new business can get up and running quickly while knowing the City is a partner, not a hurdle. Existing businesses need consistent support, including clear communication and collaboration when changes to parking, sidewalks, roads, or lighting are proposed. We know that input must come directly from those impacted. I would support the Department of Economic Development’s efforts to “rebrand” Newton as a premier place to do business due to our strong consumer base, income levels, diversity, and prime location. Supporting small businesses, while welcoming new investment, will ensure Newton’s economy remains steady, resilient, and responsive to external market forces.

Josh Kritzman, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: The two most important things we can do to improve commerce and the local economy are: Create more housing so that our local businesses have customers to patronize their businesses and employees who live in close enough proximity to their jobs; and thoughtfully revise our zoning ordinances enabling the creations and improvement of businesses that meet the needs of our residents with overly burdensome processes or requirements that hinder businesses from locating in Newton.

Marc Laredo, Mayoral Candidate: We need a more proactive approach to economic development. We will listen to local business owners, commercial landlords, and other local business leaders to understand their needs and concerns. We then must do our best to address those needs, including taking affirmative steps to make each of our village centers thrive. It also means that we will reach out to businesses elsewhere in Massachusetts, in the country, and internationally to promote Newton as a great place to have a business. Arts and Culture are an important part of our local economy. I will establish a separate department of Arts and Culture dedicated to promoting and enhancing arts and culture in the city.

Garry Miller, City Council Candidate, Ward 5: My father was an entrepreneur and I had a first hand glimpse at the struggles business owners face to survive and thrive even when economic conditions are good. In today’s challenging environment, we must ensure that our city becomes more welcoming to businesses – small and large. I have heard too many stories of entrepreneurs looking to start up a business in Newton and finding no welcoming hand at city hall and no guidance to help them navigate the process. I’d like to see the city develop a welcome packet to help new businesses get set up. In addition, we must always be cognizant of the costs of new requirements on our local businesses and ask the question of something is truly necessary. Many restaurants, as an example, run on very thin margins and even a seemingly small new requirement could push them over the edge.

Sean Roche, City Council Candidate, Ward 6 At-Large: When I talk to business owners in Newton, I hear three things: It’s too difficult to start or expand a business. They need more foot traffic. They need parking solutions for employees. For the first issue, we need the administration to create playbooks or checklists for gathering the forms and approvals necessary and to adopt a how-can-we-help attitude, so that business owners know what they need to do and have the support to get it done. For the second, we need more people living in more homes near our villages and other commercial areas, which will put “feet on the street” and drive economic production. There is good reason why housing has been and continues to be a priority for the Charles River Chamber of Commerce. The third requires that the city continue the work to identify parking opportunities for employees.