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Please join the Greater Cape Ann Chamber on Thursday, March 6 from 7:30 - 9 AM  at the Magnolia Library & Community Center for our 2025 Economic Outlook Breakfast. 

This year’s Economic Outlook Breakfast features expert panelists exploring the critical role of Downtown Economic Vitality and how it drives our local economy.  The conversation will explore how a thriving business district can fuel economic growth and the importance of strategic planning to balance economic development with the growing need for affordable housing.  We will explore strategies for how local businesses and municipalities can collaborate to drive positive change.  Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with local leaders committed to a prosperous future for Greater Cape Ann.

Emmy Hahn - Program Coordinator, Massachusetts Downtown Initiative
Clark Ziegler -  Executive Director, Massachusetts Housing Partnership
Angela Brown - Chief of Economic Development, Metropolitan Area Planning Council

Facilitator:
Representative Kristin Kassner - MA House of Representatives, 2nd Essex District

Speaker Bios

Emmy Hahn: 
As the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Program Coordinator for the Executive Office Economic Development, Emmy Hahn is the state resource for technical assistance relating to all aspects of downtown/town center/commercial area revitalization. In addition to administrating the MDI Emmy is also the point of contact for communities interested in implementing a Business Improvement District and Parking Benefit District.  In 2021, Emmy was also the Program Coordinator for the IDA Pinnacle award winning Local Rapid Recovery Program. The program was responsible for implementing $10 million worth of technical assistance of CARES funds in response to COVID-19.  Recently Emmy was asked to oversee the MA Vacant Storefront Program and assisted with the redesign of the program.  

Prior to working at DHCD, Emmy was the Project Manager for the Main Street Program in Lynn, MA and was the Executive Director of Downtown New Bedford, Inc. in New Bedford, MA. 

Clark Ziegler (Panelist)
Clark Ziegler is Executive Director of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, a public agency that finances affordable rental housing and home ownership, provides community technical assistance, and helps shape state housing policy. Under his leadership since 1990 MHP has delivered more than $7 billion in below-market financing for more than 58,000 housing units. 

Mr. Ziegler chairs the nonprofit Housing Partnership Fund, which is a national, federally-certified community development financial institution and an affiliate of the Housing Partnership Network.  He also serves on the board of the Massachusetts Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). He previously served on the MBTA’s management team and spent six years in Washington where he was legislative assistant and chief of staff to Massachusetts Congressman Robert Drinan.  Mr. Ziegler is a longtime Ipswich resident and served as chair and as a 15-year member of the town’s Finance Committee.

Angela Brown (Panelist)
Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s Chief of Economic Development Angela Brown leads the agency’s economic development team in preparing commercial and industrial area plans, assisting municipalities in their efforts to craft priority district initiatives, and creating small business support and workforce development for diverse, low-income workers. Ms. Brown works with local municipalities in the Metropolitan Area Planning Council regions (Metro Boston) to craft plans advancing local and regional economic resilience.   Before joining MAPC in 2022, she worked in the public and nonprofit sectors, including service with The Hyams Foundation, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Brown holds a B.A. in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Master in Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.


Kristin Kassner (Facilitator)
Kristin Kassner is the State Rep for the 2nd Essex District - Ipswich, Hamilton, Rowley, Newbury, Georgetown, and Topsfield precinct 1. She lives in Hamilton with her husband and son. As a planning professional with 20 years of local government experience, she has dedicated her career to improving the quality of life for people and their environments in her district and the Commonwealth.   

Rep. Kassner has a BA in Urban Planning and Geography from Miami University of Ohio; a Master’s degree in Urban & Environmental Policy from Tufts University, and completed the Supervisory Leadership Development Program from the University of Massachusetts. She was the Planning Director for the Town of Burlington, served as President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association and as Vice-Chair of the Hamilton Master Plan Committee. She is a member of the Associated Institute of Certified Planners, The Trustees, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Essex County Greenbelt, and Essex County Trails Association (ECTA).