Green Economic Development

We can’t rest on our laurels. We can’t assume that the last few decades of prosperity seen in our North Shore coastal economies will continue uninterrupted. The economies of Newburyport, Salem, and Gloucester have benefitted from thoughtful preservation of their historical ambiance and architecturally consistent new development. Consequently, we have seen increases in North Shore tourism related to our colonial history, museums, boating, beaches, trails, and birding. We have also benefited from our proximity to the technology and health care economies of Boston. But many of those benefits are now at risk as tariffs, development, and environmental change wash up under the pilings of our strengths. Tourism can be badly damaged as tariffs isolate us and Canadian visitors avoid us.  Our fisheries industries are harmed by ocean warming and over fishing. And, in the face of sea level rise and more powerful coastal storm systems, there are now plans for establishing a voluntary property buyout program of waterfront homes and businesses, as part of the state’s long-term coastal resilience strategy.

It may be time to think about a diversification of our economies, a green diversification. One that encourages economic growth aligned with environmental sustainability and climate resilience.  We need to protect coastal assets, businesses, and jobs by investing in clean energy, climate resilience, new sustainable companies, and green focused educational opportunities.  We need to reset now.  We can’t rest on our laurels

Offshore wind and other green energy sources present one path for regional job creation and industrial revitalization. Now that offshore wind projects have the green light to proceed again, Salem will be a visible highlight for our region as its harbor is thoughtfully redeveloped in support of offshore wind. A supply chain will grow for marine engineering, fabrication, and maintenance. And there is every possibility that some of that will be in offices and marine resources in greater Newburyport communities, and Gloucester as well.

Hands-on workforce partnerships with local colleges and vocational schools will result in high-wage, long-term jobs and maritime green energy revitalization. But environmental and ocean related engineering jobs need skilled laborers who need to be trained ahead of time. We need to start now.  We can’t rest on our laurels.

Newburyport and our sister cities have already begun some of the resiliency work by flood-proofing downtown infrastructure, for example Newburyport’s City Council financial support for board walk restoration. But more work is needed on rain gardens and improved green stormwater systems. As the electrical grid is challenged by the growth of AI and increasing storm intensity, micro-grids and battery storage facilities will be needed to keep our lights on for schools and hospitals.

Focusing on green economic development will mean the protection of tourism, property values, and municipal tax bases.  Meanwhile our proximity to Boston’s academic, health and business powerhouses mean we need more and cleaner transportation. We need expanded EV charging infrastructure along our north-south road ways. These EV stations will improve commuter experience and mean people who live here can get there for a good Boston area job. While we’re at it, we should plan for more rapid electrification of school buses and municipal fleets.  We need to plan now.  We can’t rest on our laurels.

Green economic development is not just an environmental policy it is a long-term sustainability strategy. The North Shore has some unique strengths such as its working waterfronts, its historic downtowns, and its proximity to the Boston innovation economy. But after decades of similar economic strategies, the times and the climate require some fresh thinking and planning. The world is changing and we need to change with it.  We can’t rest on our laurels.

We need to begin realigning climate resilience with economic growth. It’s the only way the North Shore can continue as a model of coastal sustainability in the 21st century. It’s time for the civic, non-profit, and commercial leaders of our coastal communities to add green diversification to their ever evolving ‘to do’ lists.  We won’t rest on our laurels.

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This educational column was orrigianly published by The Daily News of Newburyport on March 20, 2026.