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The Tribune - December 1, 1998
David J. Spaulding has been a leader in helping to develop the city's Cyber District,
say Chamber officials.
By Courtney Claire Brigham
Eagle Tribune Writer
HAVERHILL - Several computers and dozens of wire cords zig-zag around David J. Spaulding's
cozy second floor office of he company, MVA.net. Stacks of papers and Web site design plans are
piled on long desks scattered around the room.
The large windows lining the far wall overlook Washington Square - part of
the neighborhood earmarked for the development of the city's Cyber District, which Mr. Spaulding
has been active in planning.
The office looks like a portrait of a creative computer genius at work.
"Dave is definitely an innovator," said Will Wright, a senior
partner at Prime Alliance in Haverhill. "When you say the word 'innovator,' he is
writing the book as he goes along."
The Greater Havehrill Chamber of Commerce has selected Mr. Spaulding as its
December ":Innovator of the Month" for his leadership in developing the Cyber District
and educating the business community on the Internet.
The so-called Cyber District is a city project to develop a mini-incubator to
bring high-tech and service-related jobs to Haverhill. Similar districts have been successfully
developed in Lynn and Boston.
In addition to his many hours on the grassroots Footware to Software Task
Force, Mr. Spaulding has worked with Bell Atlantic to upgrade the downtown service with high
speed fiber optic lines - wires that have not been revamped since 1938.
He is working on bringing a low-cost, high speed access line to the area,
which could be a substitute for expensive T1 lines used by some companies and residences. The
difference could mean a reduction from $5,000 to $6,000 monthly bills to $200.
"Dave has been a very big asset to the Cyber District - and has been
doing that as a volunteer," Sally L. Cerasuolo, president of the Greater Haverhill
Chamber of Commerce said.
Mr. Spaulding founded MVA.net 2 1/2 years ago as Web site design and hosting
business. It has since expanded to include a filtered Internet access service for businesses
and families. For example, a buiness can opt to block out sports or job search sites and families
can choose to restrict their children's access to pornography.
In addition to his Internet business, MR. Spaulding has run Double Edge Music,
a recording studio and album cover disign firm, for the last 16 years. The company, which
is based on the first floor of the same building as MVA.net, attracts gospel musician clients
from as far away as Thailand for its skilled computer and musical instrument digital interface
techniques.
A Haverhill native, Mr. Spaulding said he opted to stay in town to participate
in the rebirth of the business community and raise his two children in the same community
as their grandparents, he said.
"This whole district has been empty my whole life," Mr. Spaulding,
a member of the Haverhill High graduating class of 1977, said, "I like the idea of breathing new
life into the city and some of these old buildings."
Mr. Spaulding is the chief technical volunteer for City Homework Computer
Network, a local on-line mentoring program that works with at-risk youth. He also assists
at the Haverhill Public Library. An active Chamber member, Mr. Spaudling has hosted a
number of seminars on technology and Internet topics. Members have credited Mr. Spaulding
for his helpful open-door atmosphere at his company's Washington Street office.
"He is very accessible, may too accessible for his own good," Mr. Wright said.
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