Latest news with #Costello&Crawford
Boston Globe
14-07-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Bidding war for service-plaza contract draws Boston's top lobbyists
Global made an unusual Advertisement Even after that meeting, Global continues to make the case to MassDOT and Governor Maura Healey's administration that its bid is better, primarily because it contains a significantly higher rent price for the state and because of Global's local ties. On Applegreen's side, the Blackstone-backed company hired Smith, Costello & Crawford, the city's busiest lobbying shop, last year to help craft the bid. Recently, Dempsey Associates, the city's fourth-busiest lobbying firm, has been involved, as Applegreen contractor Suffolk Construction's advisor. Advertisement Jim Smith of Smith, Costello & Crawford said his firm's advice to Applegreen was to be responsive to the top priorities of the Healey administration, namely to launch a Smith, a Tesla owner, said the primary reason electric vehicles are not being more widely adopted is 'range fear,' the concern that drivers won't find a place to charge when their batteries are running low. The service plaza bid, he said, represented an opportunity for the Healey administration to address that issue. Plus, the existing state plazas 'are not in particularly good shape [and] are frankly embarrassing for a commonwealth that really relies on tourism' to help the economy. 'It wasn't complicated at all,' Smith said. 'Yeah, money was important but there were other things that were more important.' This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene. Jon Chesto can be reached at
Boston Globe
27-06-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Smith, Costello & Crawford takes over the late Phil Johnston's lobbying business
Advertisement Bob Johnston was hopeful to ensure his father's clients continued to get good representation on state lobbying matters, and to find some financial benefit for his mom, Beverly. A few lobbying firms in Boston pursued the deal, but Smith, Costello & Crawford successfully made the case that it would be the best advocate for Johnston's clients. Smith said he hopes to take on all of Johnston's dozen lobbying clients except one who has a conflict with one of the firm's preexisting clients. 'It's been a sprint to talk to everybody, meet with everybody, and hopefully have them feel comfortable joining up,' Smith said. 'So far there's been a great response. ... We're not looking to expand. This is not manifest destiny. We're already big, frankly. ... It just kind of came together.' Advertisement This is an installment of our weekly Bold Types column about the movers and shakers on Boston's business scene. Jon Chesto can be reached at
