News Nearby: A New Starbucks And A New Frozen Yogurt Shop

Each week we highlight some of the stories making headlines in neighboring Patch towns.

West, Ensminger Elected to Board of Selectmen Reading residents voted in the local election Tuesday, but the turnout was lower than expected. Of 17,594 registered voters, only 3,207 or 18.2 percent voted. Starbucks May be Opening in North Reading Starbucks will go before the Community Planning Commission Tuesday night for approval for their site plan review. The coffee company is planning to open a location where Sunrise Bagels is located. Hanson and Askenburg Sworn in As Chelmsford's Newest Selectmen It's been a long hard campaign, but former School Committee chairwoman Janet Askenburg and incumbent Matt Hanson have won the two open seats for the Chelmsford Board of Selectmen. Askenburg defeated Permanent Town Building Committee chairman …

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Tewksbury Economic Development Marketing Brochure

The attached brochure is being used to market Tewksbury to prospective businesses.

As part of it's effort to market Tewksbury to prospective businesses, the Economic Development Committee created the attached brochure.

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Hanson Webb

8:39 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013

The brochure is a good start but we need much more to move the needle. The vacant business lots and the rapid exodus are alarming, we are far from celebrating, What business need to locate to Tewksbury is a friendly town government, low taxes, incentives and talented workforce. So kudos on the brochure, now lets get to work on bringing new businesses into our town. We need the tax revenue. Did …   more ›

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EDC Chairman Optimistic Heading Into 2013

Economic Development Committee working with Planning Board and Community Development office to attract new businesses to Tewksbury.

By all measurements, 2012 was a good year for Tewksbury business and industry. In addition to new local businesses opening up, there was also positive movement on the corporate front with companies moving to town, such as Thermo Fisher and Cambridge Isotope Laboratories. Economic Development Committee Chairman David Plunkett says he is optimistic about the direction the town is heading entering 2013. "During this (national) economic downturn, I think that can be an opportunity to position the town where we can expand the tax base and create jobs," said Plunkett. "I think you are seeing some of those results." Community Development Director Steve Sadwick said three additional companies are either opening locations in Tewksbury or are …

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Richard Menard

10:48 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013

I think that is great that we have 3 places expanding in addition to the two others. I also think that is great that they are all on the highway where industry should be. Wish that more than 4 employees were there but with a tax rate 1/3rd higher than Chelmsford I'm happy they didn't head up the road! I agree with BK and will work diligently as your selectman to make South Tewksbury a place where…   more ›

What New Business Would You Like To See In Tewksbury In 2013

Tewksbury is experiencing an economic resurgence. What businesses would you like to see come to town this coming year to continue the trend.

2012 proved to be a good year for Tewksbury, economically speaking. From restaurants like Angelina's, Al Fresca and Orange Leaf to corporations like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tewksbury welcomed several new businesses to town in the last 12 months. The question is -- will the trend continue in 2013. So we pose the question to you, our readers: What businesses (and what types of businesses) would you like to see open up in Tewksbury during 2013? And do you have faith that the economic uptick will continue? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Cambridge Isotope to Expand Into Tewksbury Office Park

Tewksbury lands another high-tech company.

Tewksbury's recent economic resurgence has received another booth with word that Andover-based Cambridge Isotope Laboratories Inc. will be re-locating some of its operations to Tewksbury. CIL will be leasing 38,500 square feet of space at the Highwood Office Park, according to a report published by the Boston Globe. CIL manufactures research biochemicals for use by researchers at hospitals, government agencies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, etc. According to the Globe report, CIL plans to move some administrative offices to the Tewksbury facility some time in the spring. The company is leasing the space from BPG Properties Ltd., which owns the office park, located off Andover Street near the Tewksbury Holiday Inn.

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Unemployment Rate In Tewksbury Drops In October

Another dose of positive economic news for Tewksbury.

With its housing market in full-blown recovery mode, Tewksbury got a second dose of positive economic news in October from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. According to LWD statistics, Tewksbury's unemployment rate dropped to 5.7 percent in October. That's down from 6.0 percent in September and down from 6.7 percent in January, 2012. Tewksbury has an overall workforce of 16,561, of which 947 residents are presently without employment. The news locally mirrored the statistics statewide. Massachusetts had an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent in October, down from 6.4 percent in September and down from 6.7 percent in October 2011. The labor force, unemployment rates and jobs estimates, for Massachusetts and for every …

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Merrimack Valley Pavilion Expected To Open In November

Family recreation center to feature laser tag, mini-golf, arcade and snack bar.

With each passing day, Gary Brown's vision for the property at 2087 Main St. is becoming closer to reality. Some time in November, Brown is expecting to open Merrimack Valley Pavilion, a family-friendly recreation complex featuring a multi-level laser tag arena, a miniature golf course and an arcade. The complex will also feature a snack bar. "We’re hoping to be completed (construction) in early November," said Brown. " And then with time (to acquire the) occupancy permit. Hopefully we'll be open soon after that." The property, which had once been the home to the New England Grand Prix go-cart track, had been vacant for many years. Brown bought the property from a bank in September 2011 and in February 2012 he submitted his plans for …

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Wilmington Company Purchases Tewksbury Industrial Building For $1,625,000

Commercial flooring contractor Floorcraft plans to relocate its operation from Wilmington to Tewksbury by early 2013.

Tewksbury's economic development took another step forward with the announcement that Wilmington-based Floorcraft planned to relocate to Tewksbury by early 2013. On Aug. 20, Floorcraft owners Bob Landini and Tracy Venuti finalized a deal to purchase an industrial building at 19 Barker Road for $1,625,000. The seller was Flauto Realty Trust, Theodore C. Chen, Trustee. The 32,160-square-foot building sits on a three-acre lot and is divided into two commercial spaces. One space is occupied by Beacon Electrical Wholesalers, who will stay on as a tenant. Floorcraft will move into the adjacent 17,500 square-foot space, which has been vacant for several years. The new space is offers more than twice the square footage as Floorcraft's present …

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Pets Plus Expands Its Operation In a Big Way

Pet and pet supply store takes over neighboring space and more than doubles its square footage.

For some business owners, expansion and change can be scary propositions. They like to take baby steps and grow in small increments. Not Matt Connors. The owner of Pets Plus in South Tewksbury has been aching to grow his business for years. Earlier this year, an opportunity presented itself and leapt at it. As a result, Pets Plus has more than doubled its square footage and, as a result, has been able to greatly increase the products and services it offers its customers. "We've been in this space (2286 Main St.) since 1997," said Connors. "But we were really cramped and we've been looking to expand for a while. We had hoped to expand when Superstar Video went out but that would have meant H&R Block would have had to (relocate) and it didn'…

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