Business View Civil and Municipal | April 2021

33 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL APRIL 2021 NEWBURYPORT , MASSACHUSETTS paths, and is working with the municipality to open a pop-up tent downtown. Cousins says, “These breweries are very popular, our new Vice President here at the Chamber worked at one. It’s great because people like it and it brings a real nice flavor to our downtown and gives a good selection.” The cannabis company, Happy Valley, is also building its headquarters in the business center. Construction is about a year behind due to a delay with materials because of the pandemic, but Holaday is excited to tour the facility once it gets back on track. Newburyport has felt the grip of climate change with more frequent and serious storm surges coming through, so the administration took steps to mitigate the risk to the city. They joined a state program called Green Communities and applied for grants that helped upgrade their street lights and install EV charging stations, among other initiatives. Holaday put together a resiliency group with members of government and the community and created an action plan, which they are currently working through. The city also invested $34 million to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility to protect it from flooding. In addition, they joined another state program called the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and started identifying where they were most vulnerable. As part of that effort, they just received a $1 million grant from the state to build infrastructure along the river to protect the wastewater treatment facility. One of the challenges Newburyport is facing is the erosion of Plum Island. Ten years ago, the city did work at the mouth of the river and it changed the erosion patterns. Next they plan to dredge the river and use the sand to build up the island. Holaday acknowledges they are working to fix the issue, noting, “We are definitely seeing the impacts of climate change and storm surge in our city.” Built on a rich Maritime heritage, the importance of family, and hardworking local business owners, Newburyport is one of those special places that simply warms the heart. Come visit and experience a lifestyle that is second-to- none. You may just want to stay. S O M E T H I N G T O P O N D E R Are you heading in the right direction? 844.639.3483 NewburyportBank.com Photo Courtesy of John William Brown