We all know we are a distressed community, and it's good to know that Washington, D.C. knows it, too.
The U.S. commerce secretary's office in Washington, D.C., contacted me the day before they made the announcement and explained the program. A couple of things jumped right out at me during the discussion.
First, they set specific criteria and ran each community through a formula to determine hardship. Gloucester passed this test with flying colors. We came out as a distressed community, and therefore qualified for the program. We all know we are a distressed community, and it's good to know that Washington, D.C., knows it, too.
Second, they will be taking a wholistic view of our local economy. The assistance is not limited to the fishing industry.
Read the complete opinion piece from The Gloucester Times.