Finance Committee advances nearly $1 million in MEDC funding

MARLBOROUGH -- April 13, 2026, Marlborough Finance Committee advances $957,524 in MEDC transfers, with one dissent on the operating budget. The committee voted 4-2-1 to recommend an $807,524 transfer from economic development for MEDC's FY27 operating budget, a 2.96 percent increase, and unanimously backed a separate $150,000 transfer for the Economic Development Toolbox small-business grant program, both funded by the local-option hotel tax. Executive Director Meredith Harris told councilors MEDC has helped attract $1.1 billion in private investment and 7,000 jobs since 2006, with office vacancy down from 34 percent in 2012 to roughly 15 percent. Council President Michael Ossing called MEDC's structure cost-effective, saying city benefits costs "would cost a lot more" than the current corporation. Last year's $150,000 Toolbox appropriation funded $135,750 in grants to six businesses including Classic Pizza and Arrow Coffee Roasters; 44 small businesses and 492 jobs have been supported program-to-date.