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New economic development manager Ryan Egan outlines early priorities to Braintree Town Council
Summary
Ryan Egan, newly hired economic development manager, introduced himself to the Town Council and described short- and medium-term goals including an available-properties map, business listening tour, Wood Road working group, and grant pursuits.
Ryan Egan, the Town of Braintree's new economic development manager, introduced himself to the Town Council on March 18 and outlined immediate and medium-term priorities including a business feedback survey and listening tour, an available commercial properties map within the town's GIS, a Wood Road working group and hotel working group, and pursuit of grants such as the Community One Stop and cultural council grants.
Egan said he began work on Feb. 20 and has attended planning, conservation, and Community Preservation Committee meetings; he also reported meetings with the Braintree Chamber of Commerce and site visits with local businesses and property owners. "We're starting to put together an available properties map for commercial properties throughout the town within our GIS system," Egan said. He also described plans for a website redesign to include an economic development portal with resources for businesses.
Councilors asked about priorities and realistic near-term accomplishments; Egan said the immediate focus is building the town's internal infrastructure — permitting guides, available-property listings and data tools — so the town can better assist developers and prospective tenants. Several councilors emphasized the need for proactive outreach to parcel owners and prospective developers and encouraged Egan to work with neighborhood groups and existing business associations. Councilor Maglio asked Egan to attend East Braintree community meetings to pursue targeted local economic efforts; Egan said he would follow up.
Egan listed six broad objectives: recruit diverse businesses to expand the commercial tax base; retain and support existing businesses; create a business-friendly town-hall infrastructure; market Braintree regionally; position Braintree as a regional leader; and identify non-town funding sources to advance development goals.
Egan's prior municipal experience includes service in Randolph, Framingham and Marlborough and experience as a chief of staff. Councilors welcomed him and repeatedly praised his early outreach and stated plans to convene working groups and coordinate with the mayor's office.
