Business & Tech

Rep. George Ross Has Big Plans for Attleboro

State Rep. George Ross plans Attleboro business summit.

It's been less than two weeks since Attleboro resident George Ross took the oath on Beacon Hill as state representative for the Second Bristol District, but he has already fielded dozens of calls from constituents, has bills under study and is studying the three committees to which he has been assigned: the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities; Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs; and Committee on Public Health.

The former city councilman is wasting no time on one of his biggest campaign promises – to organize a business summit. 

Ross is working with United Regional Chamber of Commerce President to bring the summit to Attleboro. He's already made several calls to colleagues to have representation from federal, state and city governments.

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"I want to do it, but I want to do it right," Ross said while sitting in the kitchen of his Rock Road home with wife, Jeanne, by his side.  "I want to leave no stone left unturned."

The reason for the summit is to get officials and business folks into one room to address the need for jobs, tax incentives and relief and other issues faced by businesses in the district. The first step is to take an inventory of businesses, available jobs and needs.

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Once an inventory is complete it will enable officials to better respond to the needs of both small and large businesses already operating in the city and also attract new businesses to Attleboro.

"We are ripe for it, but we just need to know how to market ourselves," Ross said of Attleboro. "The summit will bring notice and interest to the city.

"I want businesses to come to talk about their problems and air out their concerns."

As a former business owner, Ross said he understands firsthand the challenges faced by businesses. 

When Ross opened his restaurant in the late 1970s, business was booming because of companies like Swank, Marathon and Balfour, but that has all changed. 

Who is to blame for the decline of business and jobs in Attleboro? "I think we were a victim of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), outsourcing and the economic times."

Recent events, including the debacle of Commerce Way, a new industrial park that was supposed to be built by federal grants and ended up costing the city millions, has set the city back, Ross said. 

"The whole thing is a sad situation," Ross said. "I'll do everything in my power to get money to help it. I'm now the state representative that looks out for the welfare of the city."

Ross plans to work with Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) to find grant money for the city and plans to help small businesses which he says are the backbone of the nation's economy. 

Businesses need incentives to come to Attleboro. Yes, there are the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) money and Small Business Administration money, but that isn't always enough, he said.

"Attleboro is a great city and we have done a lot of great things," Ross said. "Maybe the downtown will never be a great retail center, but it sure can be a great business center."

Ross will be recognized for his contributions to the "great city" as a city councilman during the city council meeting on Tuesday night. 


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