English - Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Lynn
Transcripción
English - Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Lynn
WINTER 2015 VOL. 1, NO. 1 Left, Julien LeBeau shows off food prepared at Rite Spice Caribbean. Center, Higher Ground Fitness Center instructor Chrissy Freddo demonstrates an excercise to her class. Right, Lisa Fitzpatrick of Prime Products presents catalogues of some of the companies she represents. Pages 2-3 City is in the zone Rezoning supports downtown, waterfront development projects Ask EDIC/Lynn Executive Director James Cowdell why zoning is important to a city such as Lynn and he does not hesitate to answer. “When you talk about zoning, you’re talking about vision,” Cowdell said. “That’s what zoning does. It sets a vision for a specific area.” Understanding that premise, the City has made a concentrated effort, dating back to 2003, to adjust zoning regulations in order to make it easier for businesses and residents to come to Lynn. “It’s about removing barriers that impede development,” said State Rep. Brendan Crighton. The crux of rezoning efforts has been to allow by-right zoning for mixed-use development, with commercial on the first floor and residential above. That led to 250 new residents living in the downtown, or Central Business District, and, more recently, popular restaurants such as Rossetti and D’Amici’s opening. Because the downtown rezoning was so successful, a similar formula was used as part of the Waterfront Master Plan, with that area also approved for mixed-use development and by-right zoning. Two key sites are under agreement - a 60-acre parcel on the site of the former General Electric gear plant and the Beacon Chevrolet site, for which 263 residential units are planned. As part of the new zoning regulations, height restrictions were significantly relaxed, from a three-story limit to a maximum of 20 stories in certain sections of the waterfront. Other positive developments on the waterfront include the opening of Kettle Cuisine, a company which provides fresh soups for more than 5,000 restaurants and supermarkets nationwide. Relocating from Chelsea, the company invested $20 million and brought more than 100 new jobs to Lynn. This summer, a commuter ferry from Lynn to Boston opened to rave reviews. It will return for the second year of a pilot program See ZONING Page 2 2 — EDIC Communicator WINTER 2015 N No shortage of positive developments JAMES COWDELL ot only is Lynn open for business, we are ready and willing to provide the type of assistance that can make the difference for a new venture or existing business looking to relocate, renovate or expand. In this inaugural edition of the EDIC Communicator, we are pleased to highlight several businesses that have taken advantage of the microloan program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The companies profiled have received loans that have been used for a variety of purposes: working capital, equipment and inventory, relocation and/or expansion, capital improvements and start-up costs. City is in the zone ZONING: from Page 1 in 2015. “There is now tangible progress with regard to the waterfront,” Cowdell said. “We have started to make the important transition from concepts to results, and it is very exciting.” More than 75 loans have been written since the inception of the microloan program. Companies that are approved receive up to $50,000 at a fixed interest rate of 4%. The program is a success, and we are grateful to the SBA for providing the funding to support it. Elsewhere in this edition, you will read about the city’s having embarked on a systematic approach to amending zoning laws in order to create a more business-friendly environment. Working collaboratively, the City Council, Mayor’s office and EDIC have succeeded in removing barriers that hinder development. When it comes to business and development, The next step — approved by the City Council in June — was to refine zoning regulations in order to attract specific types of commercial activity, including restaurants, a fish market and a microbrewery. The City is also actively promoting the Arts & Cultural District and the opportunities for artists to live and work, as well as the availability of research & development office space. “We’re tweaking the success we had in the downtown,” Cowdell said. “It’s taking a vision and synthesizing it. We want to go to a developer and say there are no obstacles to opening in downtown Lynn or on the waterfront.” “It sends the message that we are open for business,” Crighton said. “We want to encourage a vibrant downtown centered there is a very positive vibe in the City right now. We were thrilled with the results of the first year of the Lynn ferry pilot program and are already looking forward to the re-launch this spring. There are a few key pending deals on the waterfront that, when executed, will trigger additional developments on that corridor. You can feel the momentum building. We are committed to continuing and enhancing the progress that has already been made, and we welcome you to come along for the ride. James Cowdell is executive director of EDIC/Lynn around restaurants, arts and entertainment. People are being priced out of Boston. We have the opportunity to market ourselves as an affordable alternative. We’re a 30-minute boat ride or a 20-minute train ride to Boston.” Businesses that locate in Lynn are eligible to apply for loans through EDIC/Lynn, including the microloan program funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Zoning changes lead to new businesses and those businesses can benefit greatly from the SBA,” Cowdell said. It is clear that Lynn has taken a thorough and systematic approach to improving the climate for both commercial and residential development through rezoning. “We took an approach of addressing zoning in phases,” Crighton said. “We wanted to focus on each area individually.” EDIC/Lynn Board Chairman Charles Gaeta said the best is yet to come. “Rezoning has certainly triggered development, but those successes will seem minor in terms of what will happen in Lynn,” he said. “Things are going to explode on the waterfront. There are major projects that are no longer in the distant future.” Gaeta said it is important for the City to keep looking forward. “With additional housing and businesses in the downtown, we will need more off-street parking to help the businesses thrive and accommodate the residents,” he said. “The pieces are in place. We have to stay ahead of the progress.” Prism Products has all the right tools A PUBLICATION OF: Economic Development Industrial Corp. of Lynn Lynn City Hall, Room 307 3 City Hall Square Lynn MA 01901 Tel. 781-581-9399 www.ediclynn.org BY MEAGHAN CASEY James Cowdell Executive Director Board of Directors Charles Gaeta, Chairman Tyrone Brown Magnolia Contreras Richard Ford Paula Mackin Lisa Panakio Rowe Ted Smith PRODUCED BY: GRANT COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING GROUP 781-598-8200 [email protected] WWW.GRANTGROUP.COM FUNDED IN PART THROUGH A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Lisa Fitzpatrick displays some of the products she supplies. Since its founding in 2006, Prism Products has become the largest industrial lubricant distributor in New England for fluids manufacturer QualiChem, while also providing tooling to the defense, aerospace, medical and semiconductor technology sectors. Owner Lisa Fitzpatrick started out as a representative for one of the products she now supplies before deciding to go out on her own. “It was time,” said Fitzpatrick, who has more than 20 years of experience in the tooling and lubricant industry, combined with a degree in mechanical engineering. “I wanted to be in control of my own destiny. When you work for yourself, you can really analyze all aspects of the business and seek out what you can be doing better – for the company and for the customers.” Prism Products provides customers with state-of-the-art solutions to any manufacturing problem that may arise, helping companies to reduce their total costs of production and enable them to be more competitive and profitable. The company promises to save the average plant approximately $2,000 to $10,000 per month based on its advanced coolant technology. Most of Fitzpatrick’s core accounts are in the North Shore, but she also handles a range of online orders from customers across the U.S. Initially, she was working out of her home in Nahant for a year before securing office space in Lynn, on the Lynnway. “It works so much better for me, especially with deliveries,” she said. Last year, Fitzpatrick received a loan from EDIC/Lynn to purchase extra inventory, which in turn is helping to bring in six times the revenue and support daily operations. She was also able to hire a seasoned sales professional with 15 years experience. “It’s hard for a small business to operate with very little cash flow,” said Fitzpatrick. “The loan ultimately made it easier for me to hire more help and give my employees more hours. It’s been a tremendous help.” For more information about the company, visit www.prismproducts.com. EDIC Communicator WINTER 2015 — 3 EDIC’s loan program provides husband-and-wife restauranteurs with the recipe for success BY MEAGHAN CASEY Noyan’s son, Julien LeBeau, and her brother, Steven Arnold, also work at the restaurant, which has truly It took just the right mix of passion and opportunity become a family enterprise. They employ a number of for husband-and-wife team Shawn and Noyan Edmond part-time employees during peak hours. The Edmonds were able to make their first step in to open a Caribbean restaurant in Lynn. The couple opened Rite Spice Caribbean on Western launching their own business after learning about EDIC/Lynn’s loan programs serving small businesses Avenue in August 2013. Shawn, who grew up in in the community. They had driven by the property, Jamaica and was trained at Ritz-Carlton and Sandals which had just become available for lease, and resorts in Montego Bay, serves as chef. Noyan, who grew up in the vibrant culinary world of New Orleans, immediately moved forward with a business plan. “We’re so grateful to EDIC,” said Noyan. “We says she has always loved “great, great food.” “We both have a passion for wonderful home-cooked presented them with our concept—introducing the community to something different in terms of ethnic food and entertaining, and opening a restaurant had food—and went over the logistics of the plan and they been a long-time dream for us,” said Noyan. helped us secure a loan for start-up. It was truly an The restaurant features an eclectic mix of Jamaican opportunity of a lifetime. We wouldn’t be in business and other Caribbean food choices, with favorites such today without their support.” as jerk chicken, Jamaican patties (meat-filled handWith the loan, the Edmonds were able to purchase pies), coco bread, curry crab and braised oxtail. It is new kitchen equipment and make renovations to the primarily a carry-out restaurant, but there is limited space, which previously housed a sandwich and pizza seating available. shop. “Rite Spice Caribbean is designed for take-out, but “We were so fortunate to have found the space and people like to linger and sit and talk and enjoy the benefitted from this opportunity,” said Noyan. food—kind of like they would in their own homes,” The restaurant, located at 532 Western Ave., is open said Noyan, adding that they also offer weekend Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. specials and catering services. Grounds for success Shawn and Noyan Edmond of Rite Spice Caribbean stand proudly in front of their restaurant on Western Avenue. Fitness training business doubles its space in Lynn When Neil Liston wanted to take Higher Ground to the next level – literally and figuratively – he turned to EDIC/Lynn for assistance. Liston, who has owned his sports and fitness training business for three years, was looking to more than double his space on the corner of Eastern Avenue and Columbia Street by moving from the first floor to the second. That move required capital for new equipment and physical improvements to the space, for which Liston received a microloan through EDIC/Lynn and the U.S. Small Business Administration. “The loan was very helpful,” said Liston. “Everybody loves the new space.” In addition to the usual cardio machines and weights, Liston’s 5,000-square-foot gym includes a boxing ring, heavy bags and TRX equipment. There are several fitness classes, including cardio kickboxing, TRX and boot camps. Liston does a lot of work with athletes and sports teams, especially hockey players. A San Francisco native, he grew up in Nahant – returning to California in the summers – and played in Lynn Youth Hockey and at Swampscott High, graduating in 1990. Liston played junior hockey and eventually went to San Jose State, where he played on the club team from 1995-97. Neil Liston coaches Francesca Caponigro in kick boxing. After a shoulder injury ended his hockey career in 1997, Liston started conducting hockey clinics and working with players on off-ice training. He continued to train hockey players periodically for the next 13 years until opening his own gym. “I figured it was time to open my own club so I could focus on what I wanted to,” said Liston, who moved back to Massachusetts in 2003. There are two levels of memberships at Higher Ground – a basic and one that includes unlimited group fitness classes. Liston and his staff of seven also work with athletes from elementary school to professional, in both Neil Liston supervises as Steven Santanello works to improve agility on the tires. group and individual sessions. In addition to providing physical training for hockey players, Liston brings them to showcases to give them greater exposure to college coaches and professional scouts. He does the same with boxers, and is affiliated with USA Boxing. “I’ve always enjoyed working with athletes,” said Liston, who owns a junior hockey team and recruits European players for junior teams in Canada. “We have kids coming in the morning and at night. Our goal is to help them become stronger, faster and more confident.” From trash to treasure: 4 — EDIC Communicator WINTER 2015 Couture Planet transforms newspapers into chic accessories BY MEAGHAN CASEY Fashion innovators Constance Carman, Kathleen Cormier and Michelle Kane have built a successful business on a simple concept: turning one person’s trash into another’s treasure. Their eco-friendly company, Couture Planet, manufactures sustainable handbags and accessories from recycled newspapers. The idea for the venture began in 2009 when Carman, manager and buyer for the store at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, noticed hotel guests throwing out their newspapers and knew there had to be a better use. Calling on her background as a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, she started viewing newspapers as fabric and sold her first set of one-of-a-kind handbags at the hotel. “Newspapers are iconic, historic and beautiful,” said Carman, who serves as Couture Planet’s founding partner, but also still works full-time at the Fairmont Copley. “We’re trying to create a green, unique, American-made product that means something to its owner.” Cormier and Kane joined the business early on and were added as partners when the company was reworked in 2013. They operate out of the Lydia Pinkham building on Western Avenue—drawing inspiration from Pinkham, the city’s first female entrepreneur, as well as the numerous other small businesses and artists housed there. “There’s such a great vibe being surrounded by photographers and glass blowers and other types of artists,” said Cormier. “We love that as our business has grown we’ve been allowed to expand our space within the building without actually having to move, and EDIC has been a huge resource for us.” The company has received assistance from EDIC/Lynn in a number of ways, from being granted a low-interest loan to participating in the city’s summer jobs program. The loan enabled them to bring their sewing in-house, which was a huge opportunity and integral to their commitment to maintain local manufacturing operations. This past summer, Cormier and Kane had two teens working for them—Jalene Orsatelliz, a senior at Lynn English High School, and Julia Perez, a senior at Lynn Classical High School. The summer jobs program places the students in public- and private-sector jobs to gain real-world experience. Private businesses, like Couture Planet, are responsible for paying half of their salaries, while the other half comes from city and state funding. This was the fourth summer Couture Planet has participated. “It’s a wonderful program and hopefully we’re able to teach them something about operating a small business,” said Cormier. Cormier, who lives in Swampscott, and Kane, who lives in Marblehead, both strive to be as involved as possible in the Lynn community, putting on fashion shows at Lynn English and working with youth at Raw Art Works. Kane also serves on the board of directors at the Lynn Museum. “We really love Lynn, its resources and the revitalization amongst the arts community,” said Cormier. Their fashion-forward handbags bear headlines from the worlds of the arts, food, fashion, travel and sports and are available in five styles. They have captured some of the most important moments in national and local history—from the presidential inauguration to last year’s World Series victory for the Red Sox. Products are available online through their Etsy shop or by calling their office to speak with a representative. They are also sold at nearly 50 retail locations across the country. For more information, visit www.mycoutureplanet.com. oportunidad e integral al compromiso de mantener sus operaciones local. EEl verano pasado Cormier y Kane tenían dos estudiantes trabajando con ellos, Jalene Orsatelliz, estudiante de último año en Lynn English High y Julia Pérez, estudiante de último año en Lynn Classical High. El programa de trabajo de verano coloca a estudiantes en trabajos en el sector público o privado para que ellos obtengan experiencia. Negocios privados como Couture Planet le paga la mitad del salario a los jóvenes y el resto es pagado por la ciudad y fondos federales. Este es el cuarto verano que Couture Planet ha participado. “Es un programa maravilloso y nuestra meta es de poder enseñarles cómo manejar un negocio pequeño”, dijo Cormier. Ambas Cormier, quien vive en Swampscott y Kane, residente de Marblehead, se esfuerzan de estar envuelta en lo más que pueden en la comunidad, patrocinando desfiles de modas en Lynn English High y trabajando con jóvenes en Raw Art Works. Kane también es miembro de la junta de directores del Museo de Lynn. “Verdaderamente amamos a Lynn, sus recursos y la revitalización en la comunidad de arte”, dijo Cormier. Sus bolsas de modas avanzadas se distinguen por los titulares del mundo de las artes, gastronomía, modas, viajes y deportes y vienen en cinco estilos. Ellas han capturado momentos históricos importantes nacional y local desde la inaugurarón presidencial hasta la victoria de las Medias Rojas en la Serie Mundial. Las carteras se pueden encontrar a través de su tienda Etsy en el Internet o llamando a la oficina y hablando con un representante. Las bolsas también están en venta en casi 50 tiendas a través del país. Para más información, visite la página de Web: www.mycoutureplanet.com. Couture Planet transforma periódicos en accesorios elegantes POR MEAGHAN CASEY Las innovadoras de moda Constance Carman, Kathleen Cormier y Michelle Kane han creado un negocio de éxito con un simple concepto: tomando la basura que arroja una persona y convirtiéndola en un tesoro para otra. Su compañía ecológica Couture Planet fabrica carteras y accesorios verdes hechos de periódicos reciclables. La idea comenzó en el año 2009 cuando Carman, gerente y compradora de la tienda localizada en el Hotel Fairmont Copley Plaza notó que los huéspedes del hotel dejaban sus periódicos botados y ella sabía que estos tenían un uso útil. Preparada del Estudio Tecnológico de Modas, ella comenzó a ver los diarios como tela y vendió su primera cartera en el hotel. “Los periódicos son icónicos, históricos y bellos”, dijo Carman, quien es fundadora de Couture Planet y aún trabaja medio tiempo en el hotel. “Estamos tratando de crear un producto hecho en los Estados Unidos con significado para el dueño”. Cormier y Kane se aliaron al negocio desde el principio y luego se hicieron socias cuando la compañía se reorganizó en el año 2013. Ellas estaban localizadas en el edificio Pinkham en la Western Avenue y encontraron inspiración en Pinkham quien fue la primera mujer empresaria en la ciudad; al igual que otros negocios pequeños y artistas en el edificio. “Hay un gran dinamismo cuando estás alrededor de fotógrafos, sopladores de vidrios y otros artistas”, dijo Cormier. “Nos da un gran placer de que nuestro negocio ha crecido, nos hayan dado la oportunidad de expandir nuestro espacio en el mismo edificio sin tener que mudarnos, y el EDIC ha sido un gran recurso para nosotras poder lograr todo esto”. La compañía ha recibido asistencia del EDIC/Lynn de varias formas, desde un préstamo con bajo interés hasta la participación del programa de verano de la ciudad. El préstamo les permitió tener la costura en el establecimiento el cual es una inmensa Top, Julia Perez and Jaelene Orsatelliz of Lynn interned at Couture Planet over the summer. At right, Michelle Kane, Kathy Cormier, Jaelene Orsatelliz, Julia Perez and Thuy Quinones operate the business out of the Lydia Pinkham building. Arriba, Julia Perez y Jaelene Orsatelliz de Lynn internados en Couture Planet durante el verano. A la derecha, Michelle Kane, Kathy Cormier, Jaelene Orsatelliz, Julia Pérez y Thuy Quiñones operan el negocio del edificio de Lydia Pinkham. EDIC Communicator WINTER 2015 — 5