July 03, 2009 05:45 am Among the smaller items in the $27.4 billion budget passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Patrick Monday is a first-ever allocation for a North Shore economic development agency. Seven other regions within the commonwealth were already receiving an annual stipend from the state to promote business and jobs growth. To those you can now add the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development. Headed by former Salem city planner Bill Luster, who has considerable experience in promoting development both as a government official and in the private sector, the agency is charged with devising a distinct brand for the region and using it to encourage businesses to grow or relocate here. Established a year ago by a coalition of government and business leaders, the agency occupies office space in the Enterprise Center on Salem State College's Central Campus. The $100,000 state appropriation will allow Luster to spend less time raising money for the agency's survival and more on advancing those initiatives — like transportation improvements, a new marketing campaign, and more regional cooperation — that are vital to the North Shore's future prosperity.
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