Featuring Mass. speaker of the house Robert DeLeo, the North Shore Alliance for Economic Development held its winter meeting on January 21st, at Cummings Center. Board president Patricia Maguire Meservey, president of Salem State College, welcomed nearly 100 attendees, including many elected officials and representatives of businesses, trade organizations and academic institutions on the North Shore. Seeking to promote Boston's North Shore as a region for business growth and opportunity, the Alliance invited speaker DeLeo to provide comments on the legislative outlook on growing and keeping jobs in Mass. in the face of unprecedented economic challenges. Citing the biggest two-year decline in revenues since World War II, DeLeo confirmed his belief in the future of the state and his plans to bolster the healthcare, education, biotechnology, travel and tourism, manufacturing and creative economy sectors. "I'm so impressed by Cummings Center," he said. Cummings Center was highlighted by mayor William Scanlon for its positive impact on the economic health of the area, with Cummings Properties vice president Steve Drohosky (general manager of Cummings Center) delivering a report on the numerous emerging technology firms making their home at the 2 million s/f office and research park. Marty Farmer spoke on behalf of North Shore InnoVentures and North Shore technology council, non-profit organizations at Cummings Center that promote technology-driven economic growth on the North Shore. Noting that Mass.'s first biotechnology company began in the area and established the city as a national model, Dr. Farmer expressed her appreciation of Cummings Properties' support of early-stage entrepreneurs.