Jim co-founded a Business Development Committee for the Town of Marshfield, secured over $6 million in state funds to make much needed improvements to Route 139 and brought Gov. Deval Patrick and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki to Marshfield to view firsthand the need for the project.  Scheduled for 2012, work for this long-awaited construction project began advertising in late Sept. 2011, with bid openings having taken place Dec. 6, 2011.  Jim has long argued that the benefits of widening a mile-long stretch of Marshfield’s main artery are three pronged:   The roadway will improve both public safety and quality of life while making Enterprise Park more attractive to businesses, thereby enhancing economic development in Marshfield and the region as a whole.  According to the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, this project could mean up to 900 new jobs located in this commerce park once it achieves build out.

Jim has also supported comprehensive legislation to make Massachusetts more attractive for startup companies and for retaining existing companies.  As a member of the Revenue Committee, Jim supported the film tax credit that is heralded with creating and retaining thousands of jobs in Massachusetts.