Let’s Ensure Nantucket Benefits From Hollywood’s Spotlight

To the editor: While we can’t stop media companies and social influencers like Kylie Swanson from capitalizing on Nantucket—this is a free country, after all—we can ensure they give back to the island community they benefit from.

This Thursday, the Select Board will vote on whether to grant Universal Studios permission to film Elin Hilderbrand’s latest media project here on Nantucket. I hope that before any permits are issued, the Board negotiates a meaningful agreement requiring Universal to donate substantial funds to the essential pillars of our community—the very people and organizations who keep our island safe, clean, and functioning.

Off the top of my mind, potential beneficiaries could include the Community Foundation for Nantucket, the Department of Public Works, the Clean Team, the Affordable Housing Trust, and all of our first responders.

Let’s put the evolving media landscape to work for Nantucket by insisting that those who profit from our island also invest in its future.

Sincerely,

AB Cooper