new bedford massachusetts City of New Bedford?s Proposal for Amazon HQZ October 16, 2017 “This is a city that has the pieces in place—it has the right bones. It’s exciting to see the collaboration here, the partnerships.” U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren Dear Mr. Bezos: Like Amazon, the story of New Bedford is one of reinvention. In the mid-18th Century, New Bedford began as a modest coastal village with a deep harbor. By the eve of the Civil War, through innovation and grit, the village had become the global epicenter of the whaling industry and the country’s wealthiest city. As whaling declined, the City transformed itself into America’s leading producer of cotton textiles, while developing a commercial fishing port that today is the largest in the United States. We are now in the midst of another period of renewal. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, New Bedford led all of America’s cities last year in the annual drop in its unemployment rate. The City’s bond rating is now the highest in its history, and we have witnessed the expansion of businesses, large and small, in every corner of our community. We have become a national leader in renewable energy and have positioned our port to become the presumptive launching pad of the American offshore wind industry in the next few years, as the industry begins to expand from Northern Europe to American waters. This city of 100,000 is on the move. Throughout our history, we have been a city that thinks big and embraces change. In that spirit, we believe that New Bedford would offer a compelling place for Amazon to establish its second headquarters. More specifically, we offer for your consideration what is perhaps the most marketable greenfield site in the Northeast. The 110-acre, municipally-owned site sits on a hilltop at the intersection of two major highways, has direct freight rail access, is a half-mile from our regional airport, has prodigious utility capacity, and has views of Buzzards Bay. Situated squarely in the Providence-Warwick-New Bedford MSA of some 1.6 million people, the site is minutes from Downtown New Bedford, a short drive from several major institutions of higher learning, fifty-six miles to Boston, and a quick ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. We, of course, have much more to offer than a compelling site ready for development. We are a city with historic tree-lined neighborhoods with homes of every architectural style and a cost of living that is dramatically lower than Boston or New York. We enjoy dozens of festivals and cultural events throughout the year and have some of the best sailing on the East Coast. We offer Amazon a great place to live, play, learn, and work. On behalf of my administration, our many partners, and my fellow citizens, I thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Jon Mitchell Mayor, City of New Bedford New Bedford, Massachusetts iii Boston 3 Provincetown 24 Providence 25 24 140 * 28 NEW BEDFORD Martha’s Vineyard iv New Bedford, Massachusetts Nantucket Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2. New Bedford – A Vibrant Seaport City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3. The Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 4. Development Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 5. Labor Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 6. Partnerships with Higher Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 7. Access and Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 8. Commitment to Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 9. Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 New Bedford, Massachusetts 1 1. Executive Summary New Bedford is a city unlike any other. We have a proud tradition of hard-working people and significant cultural and recreational assets. We have a growing economy that incorporates the best of the past and the future, supported by a stable City government that is committed to continuing the incredible gains over the past few years. Most importantly, we have the site that meets all the requirements for Amazon’s HQ2. Amazon is a company of pioneers, so you can Throughout New Bedford’s history, our community imagine the character it took to set out on a whaling has been, and continues to be, hard-working, voyage – to leave your family behind on a trip that innovative, entrepreneurial, and creative. As a city of would take years, bring you around the world, and immigrants, we have drawn from the best that the be dangerous enough that you might not return. The world offers. As a city of ideas, New Bedford is the products of those whaling voyages fed the sailors’ place where you can walk the same streets as Herman families, supported multiple American industries, and Melville and Fredrick Douglass. As a city of culture, provided the highest quality fuel that lit the world. New Bedford is the place where you can have a great Two hundred years later, the people of New Bedford are still taking those risks. As the nation’s number one fishing port, we continue to go to sea every day, we are leaders in building the infrastructure to support the American offshore wind industry, and we are seat to Yo-Yo Ma, the B-52s, and a Bob Woodward lecture. And as a city of innovation, we transformed the whaling industry and are leaders in establishing the first American port to incorporate the offshore wind industry into the mix with fishing and cargo. fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship Amazon is looking for a city that thinks big, but also for at every level. city that will be a home – for its second headquarters, 2 New Bedford, Massachusetts for its employees, and for its future. New Bedford infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists, the City offers Amazon value for its investment that is simply has shown a commitment to its residents. The City not available in major metropolitan areas. has an equal commitment to sustainability. In addition We are situated squarely in the ProvidenceWarwick-New Bedford MSA of some 1.6 million people and are proposing a 110-acre, municipallyowned site that sits on a hilltop at the intersection to positioning New Bedford as the home port for America’s offshore wind industry, the City has been nationally recognized for its significant investment in solar power. of two major highways, has unmatched utility Our community invests in innovation: from programs capacity, and offers strategic positioning between in the public schools that reinforce a culture of Boston, Providence, and the islands. life-long learning, to co-working spaces and We believe New Bedford has what it takes to be Amazon’s new home. In these pages, we invite you to explore New Bedford – our lower cost of living and high quality of life: our historic neighborhoods, the innovations in our public school system, our cultural and recreational opportunities, and our focus on community health and safety. incubators for entrepreneurs and new technology. We value our institutions of higher education as partners and provide resources to our workforce to train them for new careers. We are fortunate to have excellent access to our region by land, air, and sea. The proposed hilltop site is adjacent to regional highways and the New Bedford airport and ferries connect New Bedford with the islands of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, In addition to thinking big, our Mayor and City and the Elizabeth Islands. A proposed commuter Council have a strong focus on efforts both big rail extension will connect Boston to New Bedford; and small that impact the quality of life in the students in Boston and Providence will soon have city. From easy methods of reporting potholes, to better access to the lower cost of living and many adopting a Complete Streets policy, to improving the amenities of New Bedford. “Acushnet has operated in the greater New Bedford community for over 100 years. We have remained and grown in the area due to the consistent availability of a quality workforce and the excellent quality of life that they enjoy here. In addition, we rely on access to complimentary logistics and a business-friendly public sector at both the local and state levels.” Joseph Nauman, Vice President, Executive Vice President, Corporate and Legal, Acushnet Co. Manufacture of Titleist and FootJoy Our work as a community is not complete; we are city once again on the verge of greatness. We hope constantly learning and applying what we learn to you listen to the voices of our community in this become a better city. We see Amazon as a partner document and understand their passion for this place. who can join our business and community leaders in continuing the efforts that have made New Bedford a New Bedford, Massachusetts 3 i ,Inventor a Lewis Tempi a d, 4 2. New Bedford – A Vibrant Seaport City The vision of New Bedford as a vibrant seaport community is one that began nearly 250 years ago. In the mid-1700s, Joseph Rotch sailed from Nantucket and purchased 13 acres of land along our deep harbor, establishing the whale fishery that transformed the small village into a thriving port. As “the city that lit the world,” the City of New Bedford attracted immigrants from all over the world including Cape Verde, Portugal, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Poland. A century later, the boon of the textile industry swelled Bedford is the sixth largest city in Massachusetts, and our population, spurred the development of vast its harbor is home to the number one fishing port in new ethnic neighborhoods, and expanded the city’s America. The city continues to serve as an economic growth to the north and south. Within the last century, engine for the surrounding metropolitan area and is the emergence of commercial fishing and processing home to the largest Portuguese-American community secured our national prominence as a center of global in the United States. commerce, wholly connected to the sea. But New Bedford’s societal participation has not Today, our commercial fishing fleet, recreational been only in the realm of commerce. New Bedford boats, and research vessels have replaced the hulking contributed greatly to the abolitionist movement, as whaling ships of the past. Our historic mill buildings, a place of refuge for Fredrick Douglass and many that once contained thousands of spinning looms, are others; and to American literary history, as the being preserved and transformed for new uses. While inspiring place from which Herman Melville’s novel whaling and textiles no longer fuel an economy that Moby Dick began. Inventors include Lewis Temple, drives the success and growth patterns of the city, our who designed a toggle harpoon that swivels identity as a vibrant and ethnically diverse seaport and made that invention available to the world community holds fast. – perhaps the first open source application. John The historical centers of New Bedford’s economy and identity are its seaport and its people. Today, New Tuckey, a mathematician born in New Bedford, was the first person to use “bit” or “binary digit.” And Henry Martyn Robert wrote the Pocket Manual of Rules of New Bedford, Massachusetts 5 A Vibrant Seaport City continued Order for Deliberative Assemblies in New Bedford – will be leaders in the rebirth of the American city we know it today as Robert’s Rules of Order. and once again be able to successfully create our For nearly 250 years New Bedford has been a community of the sea and a city of ideas. With strong values, sound strategy, and shared responsibility, we own history as a vibrant seaport community—well positioned for the 21st century. We invite Amazon to join us in being part of the evolution. Neighborhoods By the middle of the 18th century, a series of large farms with water frontage trended up the hillside on the western bank of the Acushnet River—presently in Downtown. Joseph Russell, who lived at the head of William Street, owned one of these widespread tracts. He conceived the idea of subdividing the land into house lots and establishing a village. This village was the beginning of the architectural diversity in housing that is so attractive to young professionals. In 1872, the horse-drawn street railway opened. The city has six major neighborhoods within 14 Horse-drawn cars were replaced with electric cars National Register Historic Districts. Several historic in 1890 and new streets were laid out to keep up with tree-lined neighborhoods provide a wide variety of the demand for housing. The north and south ends of well-preserved homes dating from the late 19th and the city became densely populated almost overnight early 20th centuries. Homes in these neighborhoods as mill owners built villages of mill-owned tenements range from small Craftsman-style homes to sprawling for its workers surrounding their mills. Victorian mansions. “The town itself is perhaps the dearest place to live in, in all New England…nowhere in all America will you find more patrician-like houses; parks and gardens more opulent, than in New Bedford. Whence came they?...Yes; all these brave houses and flowery gardens came from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.” — Herman Melville, Moby Dick The center of the Far North End neighborhood and Riverside Parks offer residents a wide range of is Sassaquin Pond. Homes are often passed down recreational activities including a skate park, soccer through families, with older neighbors whose families fields, biking, walking, rollerblading, and tennis. have lived on the same street for generations. Young families are attracted by the recreational opportunities and the fact that a nature trail connects the neighborhood to the local elementary school. Several historic mills offer loft-style residences in walkable neighborhoods close to cafés, bars, restaurants, and shops. These units feature riverfront views and architectural details such as high Acushnet Avenue, the “International Marketplace” wood-beamed ceilings, exposed brick, oversized of ethnic restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and retail windows, and plank floors. shops, defines the Near North End. Housing in this neighborhood was originally built for the many immigrant workers who came to work in the textile mills at the turn of the century. Brooklawn 6 New Bedford, Massachusetts New Bedford’s historic Downtown, with its cobblestone streets, period gas lamps, and authentic 19th and 20th century architecture, is lined with cafés, bistros, specialty shops, and artisan galleries and is designed by Olmstead and described as the “crown adjacent to the working waterfront. jewel” of New Bedford’s park vast system. This family The Downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods provide a variety of housing types and have a vibrant urban feel with museums, history centers, universities, and a historic theatre all within walking distance to one another. Moreover, Downtown is also friendly park features a wide variety of sporting facilities, a pond, gardens, walking trails, and the Buttonwood Park Zoo, named by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as “one of the finest small zoos in the United States.” home to the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Today, housing in New Bedford is significantly more Park and the Zeterion Performing Arts Center. affordable than housing elsewhere within eastern The South End, referred to as Clark’s Point, is the southernmost part of the city and is situated on a peninsula with sandy beaches and breathtaking Massachusetts. In August 2017, the median sale price for a house in the Commonwealth was $372,500, in Boston: $987,000, and in New Bedford: $200,000. views of Buzzards Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. There The comparative market value of the city’s housing are several parks, three public boat ramps, a six-mile stock provides opportunities for new families to scenic bike/jogging path that encircles the peninsula, renovate and rehabilitate historic homes to the and two water view parks, one featuring a Civil War highest levels for a fraction of what would be era fort. The well-preserved historic architecture expected in a major metropolitan area. Such efforts ranges from tenements to Craftsman bungalows have been going on in New Bedford for decades, and the classic four-square. Post war housing is including large-scale mill restorations along the also abundant on the peninsula in the form of Cape Acushnet River. Efforts to revive older housing Cod-style housing and modest ranches. stock have been supported by investments by the In the West End, turn-of-the-century four-square and gambrel roof homes border Buttonwood Park, City into public infrastructure, with a focus on the neighborhoods of North End, Acushnet Heights, South Central, South End, and South Cove Street. New Bedford, Massachusetts 7 A Vibrant Seaport City continued Public K-12 Education Like the city’s renowned maritime heritage, free public education in New Bedford was an early and esteemed institution. New Bedford High School (NBHS) was first established in 1827 at the dawn of America’s common school movement. The growth of New Bedford Public Schools (NBPS) has mirrored the city’s growth. Programs that focus on innovation and academic excellence support those students who seek to become the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Today, NBPS serves 13,000 students within 19 NBHS, an active member of the National Academy neighborhood elementary schools, three state- Foundation (NAF), offers its students unique and of-the-art district middle schools, and one tailored learning environments within the NAF Career comprehensive high school. NBPS faculty and staff Academy model. NBHS is the region’s comprehensive number approximately 1,600. The school district high school of choice, offering 19 Advanced has evolved to address the multifaceted educational Placement (AP) courses, conducted by College Board needs of a diverse population of 100,000 residents. certified instructors. Graduates have been accepted Nearly 30% of NBPS students are English Learners, assisted by the district’s 56 ESL teachers, who work into many of America’s most competitive institutions, including recently, Harvard, Brown, and Georgetown. side-by-side with general education teachers to With a mandate and commitment to provide increase mastery of English and literacy profic. educational excellence at every level, NBPS strives NBPS partners with more than 40 community organizations, including the Immigrant Assistance Center, New Bedford Housing Authority, North Star, Gear Up, YMCA, New Bedford Whaling Museum, and Upward Bound to expand and augment the educational programs of the district. to demonstrate to students, families, and employers that it is their school district of choice. NBPS is a key partner for area employers who see this school district as focused on lifting and positioning the city of New Bedford as a community where lifelong learning is nurtured and sustained. Culture and Recreation The city offers a wide variety and nearly exhausting quantity of recreational and cultural activities, many within easy walking distance of each other, and of some of the region’s best cafés and restaurants. The expanded coastal region is rich in history and opportunities for active and passive recreation both on land and on the water. These resources are a significant attraction to the professionals Amazon seeks to hire at HQ2. Culture Throughout our history, New Bedford has always in the United States for good reason. Today, New maintained a vibrant creative community. During Bedford is a center of arts and culture, boasting a wide the 19th century, when the whaling industry fueled array of attractions and diverse venues that showcase New Bedford’s economy, acclaimed artists, such as the history, art, and cultural fabric, and is home to William Bradford, Albert Pinkham Ryder, Clifford hundreds of artists and performers who contribute Ashley, and Albert Bierstadt lived and worked in this to our distinctive identity. The critical mass of artists, cosmopolitan seaport. performers, galleries, and cultural institutions that The National Trust for Historic Preservation named New Bedford one of the dozen Distinctive Destinations 8 New Bedford, Massachusetts flourish in New Bedford have created the ambiance of a vibrant coastal cultural center. “I’m just so proud of New Bedford. It’s a recognition richly and well deserved.” Lee Heald, director of AHA!, reflecting on the city being named the most creative community in the state by the Massachusetts Cultural Council That sense of vibrancy can often be difficult to This is where you will find the New Bedford Whaling measure in more traditional economic development National Historical Park, a 13-acre federal park activity, but a strong arts and culture scene is critical staffed with park rangers and filled with year-round to New Bedford in terms of both quality of life and activities. Paved with cobblestone streets, the economic impact. The Zeiterion Performing Arts National Park features original whaling era buildings Center serves 111,000 patrons a year and can with many unique examples of authentic historic measure a $3.8 million impact on the local economy. architecture illustrating the city’s vast history. Within The Whaling Museum and the National Park see more the National Park is the century-old New Bedford than 170,000 visitors annually that support our great Whaling Museum, the largest of its kind in the world downtown restaurants and retail establishments. with over 350,000 objects in its collection. Dozens of events, from AHA! Nights to the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament, bring in thousands more, and the Buttonwood Park Zoo is visited more than 120,000 times a year by families from all over the region. Each of these places and events are special and help to shape the soul of our community while playing a meaningful role in our economic success. Downtown is also home to the world-class Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, a historic early 20th century theater with 1,250 seats. In addition to providing a full calendar of performers such as the B-52s and Yo-Yo Ma, the Zeiterion is also home to the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and the New Bedford Festival Theater Company. Other city museums include The city’s Downtown is anchored by the Seaport the New Bedford Art Museum, Museum of Madeira Cultural District. A walkable, compact area that Heritage, the New Bedford Fire Museum, and the is easily identifiable to visitors and residents and Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum—a serves as the center of cultural, artistic, and economic national landmark. activity. It spans 20 blocks and contains 49 cultural attractions, 29 creative economy businesses, and 14 galleries with dozens of exhibit openings. Just a short drive (or nice bike ride) from Downtown, Fort Taber Park is located at the City’s southern-most New Bedford, Massachusetts 9 A Vibrant Seaport City continued tip and features a Civil War era fort and 47 acres of something for everyone. From March through walking paths and picnic areas with sweeping views December, visitors can experience music and of Buzzards Bay. The new Harbor Walk allows visitors art from around the world and sample food to walk across the City’s hurricane barrier and see representing the City’s diverse ethnic population. views of Fort Taber and beyond: to Fairhaven’s Fort A complete listing of festivals and other activities is Phoenix, West Island, and Butler Flats Lighthouse. too extensive to list here, but can be found at www. Beyond the treasure trove of historic and cultural DestinationNewBedford.org. venues, is a community events calendar that has Parks and Recreation As a rapidly growing city in the 1860s, New Bedford The newest jewels in the park system crown are the created its first open space for citizens—the City Harbor and Cove Walks. These walks offer amazing Common. By 1892 we were engaged practitioners ocean views from the tops of the hurricane barriers in the City Beautiful national movement and our along the city shoreline, allowing relaxing views of municipal park system was born. Today, New the harbor and cove over three miles of walking trails. Bedford remains committed to providing recreational opportunities for all its citizens – as evident in its six major parks; 24 neighborhood parks; over 12 miles of trails and bikeways; 26 acres of beaches; and numerous public and private baseball, football, The Parks and Recreation Department hosts clinics for kids at parks throughout the city. There are also community organized and led leagues for youth and adults in softball, baseball, soccer, football, and more. and soccer fields. Most city residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Regional Activities Southeastern Massachusetts offers a range of and in the nearby towns of Norton and Westport, leisure time activates to suit every taste and budget. kayaking the rivers should not be missed. Horseneck Beach, just a few minutes from New Bedford, includes opportunities for sun filled days of windsurfing and birdwatching. Battleship Cove in Fall River is perfect for those interested in naval history, Ferries from New Bedford’s historic working waterfront allow residents and visitors to easily reach Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cuttyhunk Island. Population and Demographics Between 1970 and 2000, New Bedford’s population between the ages of 18 and 34 than in 1990. This trend fluctuated greatly, dropping by almost 8% from a high mirrored statewide demographic changes, which saw of 101,770 in 1970 to 93,768 in 2000. Since that time a population decrease of the same demographic by the population has stabilized and increased by 1,302 16% during the same timeframe. residents to a current estimate of 95,072 residents. New Bedford remains a leading destination for There have also been shifts in the number of young immigrants. One out of five residents in New Bedford residents living in New Bedford. Between 1980 and was born abroad, and approximately 18% of the 2010, the median age in the city rose from 33.2 to city’s foreign-born residents entered the United 36.6. In 2000, the city had nearly 18% fewer residents States during the 1990s, including 3,000 Latino 10 New Bedford, Massachusetts residents who have helped to maintain the vitality of residents make up New Bedford’s second largest New Bedford’s neighborhoods. Ancestry data also ethnic group. shows that over a third of the city’s residents are of Portuguese decent and over 7,000 Cape Verdean More than 500,000 residents live within a 30-minute drive of New Bedford; a population of nearly 2.5 million lives within a 60-minute drive. Governance New Bedford is governed by an elected mayor who (NBEDC). The NBEDC manages and coordinates acts as Chief Executive Officer on a biennial term, the economic development efforts and program and an 11-member City Council consisting of six services for the City. The NBEDC is a nonprofit ward councilors and five at-large councilors. Mayoral organization comprised of 250 successful leaders admirations have consistently been in place for three in business, education, and government and led to four terms with City Council terms offering similar by a nine-member Board of Directors. The NBEDC consistency. Department heads are dedicated and is responsible for the management of the City’s highly capable, lending to stability and continuity in Tax Increment Financing Program, manages the local municipal leadership. operations of the New Bedford Business Park, and is Working in close coordination with municipal officials is the New Bedford Economic Development Council the City’s lead agency on partnership initiatives with MassDevelopment and other state agencies. “As one of the larger employers in the region, we have consistently found that there is a high level of support for business in New Bedford, from the City administration to the engaged and active business community.” Anne Broholm, CEO of AHEAD, LLC The City of New Bedford has taken many steps eligible, the City had to satisfy rigorous guidelines to ensure that city government is accessible and regarding the budget’s effectiveness as a policy transparent. One example is New Bedford’s Open document, a financial plan, operations guide, and a Checkbook, a searchable online database, open to communications device. the public, which allows users to view departments’ payment activity. Other examples include the City’s newly redesigned web presence, its See-Click-Fix application, and robust use of social media and local cable access programing. New Bedford has also received consistently high marks for its fiscal management. The City currently holds a AA- bond rating from Standard & Poor’s, which is New Bedford’s highest rating in at least 40 years. In its April 2017 evaluation, the rating agency New Bedford’s adopted budget document is a cited New Bedford’s strong management, including recipient of the Government Finance Officers’ its implementation of effective financial policies Association’s Distinguished Budget Presentation and practices, along with the City’s continued Award. The GFOA award is the nationally-recognized performance in budgetary matters. gold standard for budget presentation; only 1,565 entities nationwide received the award in 2015. To be New Bedford, Massachusetts 11 A Vibrant Seaport City continued A Healthy City The City of New Bedford has a strong focus on grass-fed beef; locally-landed fish; and prepared the health of its citizens. This focus has led to foods and specialty items. The Farmer’s Market is improvements in the built environment and to sponsored by New Bedford Mass in Motion, the City improved access to fresh foods. The City Council of New Bedford, and local businesses. Mass in Motion passed a Complete Streets ordinance in 2016, and is a statewide movement led by the Massachusetts the City supports the national Safe Routes to School Department of Public Health and supported locally. program. Community gardens, in partnership with The organization helps local communities increase community organizations have provided residents, opportunities for residents to eat better and move including children and seniors, the chance to get more in the places they live, learn, work, and play. In involved with their food. Now in its third year, the 2015, New Bedford was one of only 53 communities New Bedford Farmer’s Market has three locations in to earn five Gold Medals in Michelle Obama’s Let’s the city and 18 vendors who sell locally-grown fruits Move Program. and vegetables; locally-raised eggs, chicken, and New Bedford is well served by Southcoast Health—a provided continuous service since 1884. Southcoast system that includes three nonprofit community Health serves more than 719,000 residents in 33 hospitals and is one of the largest and fastest communities, with over 600 physicians, covering over growing health systems in Massachusetts. St. Luke’s 900 square miles. Hospital, our longest operating hospital has had an extensive presence in New Bedford and has 12 New Bedford, Massachusetts A Safe City Public safety is not simply a matter of crime statistics. out; educating children about drugs as part of the It is a commitment by the City to protect residents school curriculum before they enter the at-risk years; from property neglect, fire, and crime. The City and creating an Opioid Prevention Task Force to believes in a proactive approach, for example, coordinate efforts to manage a nationwide problem. reducing public safety hazards before a fire breaks “Together, our police and our community as a ‘City of One’ will continue to work to establish a more safe and peaceful environment.” Police Chief Cordeiro The Mayor’s Task Force on Neighborhood Quality non-emergency items so that the relevant department enforces the City code with respect to properties that can address them quickly. have been improperly maintained by irresponsible landlords, improving the safety and appearance of those buildings. The City’s application “SeeClickFix” allows residents to notify city departments about graffiti, potholes, overgrown trees, or other New Bedford’s Fire Department is one of three in the state that has the ISO 1 rating – the other two are Boston and Cambridge. The Police Department is equally effective, significantly reducing crime in the last two years. Comparative Crime Statistics: January 1 to December 31, 2015 and 2016 Increase/(Decrease) IBR Description Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter Aggravated Assault Forcible Rape Burglary/Breaking and Entering Shots Fired (No Victim) Robbery Arson Larceny 2015 2016 # % 5 3 (2) (40%) 771 586 (185) (24%) 46 36 (10) (22%) 819 662 (157) (19%) 27 24 (3) (11%) 272 254 (18) (7%) 24 23 (1) (4%) 2,262 2,197 (65) (4%) Motor Vehicle Theft 289 297 8 3% Shots Fired (Victim) 12 15 3 25% Violent Crime 1,094 879 (215) (20%) Property Crime 3,394 3,161 (233) (7%) Shots Fired (All) 39 39 0 0% Totals City of New Bedford Police Department New Bedford, Massachusetts 13 18 140 New Bedford Regional Airport 18 CITY’S SITE Town of Fairhaven 140 Town of Dartmouth 14 New Bedford, Massachusetts DOWNTOWN New Bedford Harbor 3. The Site Proposed City Site for Amazon HQ2 New Bedford has a shovel-ready site for Amazon’s HQ2. This City-owned site offers unmatched opportunity for catalytic economic development and job creation. Direct highway access, an adjacent rail line, and the proximity to the New Bedford Regional Airport make this hilltop location one of best development opportunities in the Commonwealth. The site is within 30 miles of a population center. and Route 140. Both provide connections to local Downtown New Bedford is only three miles away. alternative routes (Routes 6 and 18) and regional Providence, Rhode Island is 30 miles away and highways (Route 24 and I-95). Boston, Massachusetts is only 56 miles away. The site has direct access to mass transit. The rail The site is within approximately 45 minutes of an line abuts the site; with the South Coast Rail extension international airport. The New Bedford Regional in the design stages, there is an opportunity to add Airport is less than a mile away, effectively adjacent a platform for freight and commuter access. The to the site. T.F. Green Airport and Logan International Southeastern Regional Transit Authority will provide Airport are 36 and 57 miles away, respectively. bus access to Hathaway Street. The site is within 1 to 2 miles of major highways The site is a greenfield site of approximately and arterial roads. The site is at the junction of I-195 114 acres. It is certified/pad ready with utility New Bedford, Massachusetts 15 The Site continued infrastructure in place and has the capacity for designed by Donald Ross and create an opportunity 500,000+ square feet in Phase I and up to 8,000,000 to spur the redevelopment of the adjacent hotel square feet of building space beyond 2027. property. The site can easily accommodate a campus- This site can accommodate new development while maintaining the historic Whaling City Golf Course style development setting with walking paths and trails for employees, visitors, and citizens. Ownership The City of New Bedford owns the site. MassDevelopment has been an active participant in a series of City-initiated meetings regarding the redevelopment options for the site, with VHB conducting a due-diligence assessment in 2016. This assessment concluded that approximately 100 acres is suitable to support an office/industrial use development program that would have no direct impacts to wetland resource areas, rare species habitat, flood plain, or the GERE associated with adjacent parcels. Zoning The site is currently zoned Residential A. To fully with design guidelines for our downtown and other develop the western portion of the current golf course business districts, and envision our Planning Office site, the City of New Bedford will commit to enacting leading a similar public process for this site that as-of-right zoning for the proposed uses by Amazon. will engage Amazon, agency stakeholders, nearby We are about to enact progressive form-based zoning residents, and the business community at large. Utilities Cellular and Fiber Connectivity Comcast has a major existing fiber line on Hathaway to New Bedford, including Ethernet Dedicated Road that will be used to provide service to the site. Internet. Comcast also provides cable services for businesses Verizon offers high speed DSL in New Bedford. Electric and Gas Eversource Energy provides electrical and gas services to New Bedford. Water and Wastewater New Bedford manages its own water, wastewater, and gallons of water in ground storage and an additional stormwater. The City has a daily capacity of 45-million 350,000 gallons in elevated storage. gallons of water with an average daily consumption of only 12-million gallons. The City has 75-million 16 New Bedford, Massachusetts Cell Phone Coverage Maps The four maps below demonstrate the excellent cell T-Mobile. Each company uses the darkest color to phone coverage at the proposed HQ2 site. These indicate its best service level. Both AT&T and Verizon maps were drawn from the websites of the four major have full coverage throughout the area; Sprint and carriers in the region – AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile have more variable, but still good, coverage. AT&T Verizon 4G LTE Sprint T-Mobile New Bedford, Massachusetts 17 Boston 3 Provincetown 24 PROVIDENCE MSA Providence 25 24 140 * 28 NEW BEDFORD Martha’s Vineyard 18 New Bedford, Massachusetts Nantucket Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Metropolitan Statistical Area New Bedford is a part of the Providence-Warwick, southeastern Massachusetts, including Fall River in RI-MA Metropolitan Statistical Area (Providence addition to New Bedford. The Providence MSA is part MSA) which covers eight counties in Rhode of the Boston-Worcester-Providence, MA-RI-NH-CT Island, including 38 of the 39 municipalities, and Combined Statistical Area (Boston CSA). New Bedford Providence MSA Boston CSA Population (2015) 94,959 1,613,070 8,152,573 Population 16 years and over 76,278 1,314,610 6,580,309 47,546 865,731 4,473,092 Male 42,547 52,182 61,139 Female 36,005 42,849 48,890 5,292 134,414 689,184 In labor force Median Earnings for Full-time, Year-round Workers Educational Attainment Enrollment in college or graduate school Population 25 years or older 64,974 1,101,631 5,556,906 % High school graduate or higher 71.5% 85.0% 89.8% % Bachelor’s degree or higher 15.9% 29.8% 39.5% 10,426 364,245 2,378,301 2,987 128,160 950,188 693 35,852 199,290 2,264 64,118 437,643 Field of Bachelor’s Degree for First Major Total population 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree or higher Science and engineering Science and engineering related fields Business Source: 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates “Where is the next place to take off? New Bedford is in that conversation.” Jay Ash, Secretary for Housing and Economic Development at the June Developers Event New Bedford, Massachusetts 19 4. Development Incentives 4. Development Incentives New Bedford offers Amazon value for its investment that is simply not available in major metropolitan areas. Access to a deep labor pool with relevant education and experience is paired with a significantly lower cost of land. Competitive Land Value The proposed site is owned solely by the City, so that utilities, and a fiber line ensures that infrastructure negotiations are with one entity rather than several costs are minimal. Finally, the greenfield site does not owners. The site’s proximity to major highways, require either remediation or demolition costs. Tax Increment Financing Program The City’s Tax Increment Financing Program is the state, the municipality, and Amazon. In exchange designed to encourage new development and for job creation and investment commitments, job creation in New Bedford. The City has used Amazon becomes eligible for the best possible this program since 1996 to drive $586 million in state and local tax benefits, exclusive to Gateway investment for 109 projects, resulting in the creation Municipalities such as New Bedford. or retention of nearly 9,500 jobs. The EDIP is a flexible and locally-driven program that This program is administered as the local component has become a premier economic development tool of the state’s Economic Development Incentive for Massachusetts. Under the EDIP, the City of New Program (EDIP) and would be a partnership between Bedford is an Economic Target Area and Gateway 20 New Bedford, Massachusetts Municipality and uses this designation to address The City’s Tax Increment Financing Board and blighted, distressed, and underutilized areas, such as City Council stand ready to work with Amazon the western portion of the municipal golf course. and the Commonwealth on an incentive package that is appropriate for the scale of the impacts of the Amazon proposal for a phased development scenario. Foreign Trade Zone The City of New Bedford’s Foreign Trade Zone This means it can sponsor applicable companies Corporation offers a unique “tax abatement” and developers to realize unique financial benefits opportunity that is recommended to any company specifically offered to Foreign Trade Zones. These that currently imports or plans to import, directly or benefits include, but are not limited to Duty Deferral, indirectly, through purchases from importers. New Duty Elimination, and Duty Reduction (a.k.a. Inverted Bedford is a designated Foreign Trade Zone grantee. Tariffs). Time to Operations New Bedford recognizes that a streamlined, city officials, permit applicants, consultants, and other transparent, and efficient permitting process is vital to community stakeholders. Land use changes resulting attracting sustainable new investment and job growth. from construction, new development, adaptive reuse, Recognizing that the permitting process can be a redevelopment, and other such changes are subject lengthy process that may lead to unnecessary delays to regulations and ordinances managed largely by and increased expenses, the City of New Bedford has municipal departments, boards, and commissions. implemented an open, streamlined and transparent permitting process that expedites all projects, both large and small, within the city. New Bedford’s process begins with active New Bedford’s goal is to approve projects as efficiently as possible. With good preparation and communication many projects—even large projects such as HQ2—may be approved within 90 days. collaboration and meaningful communication among “Close proximity to both Boston and Providence and world renowned institutions of higher education, excellent access to highway, ocean, and air transportation, and a vibrant arts community are all amenities that are enhanced by partnerships with local government and the business community. The quality of life in this coastal setting makes New Bedford a very attractive location to live and to work.” Anthony Sapienza, President of the New Bedford Economic Development Council and Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corp. New Bedford, Massachusetts 21 New Bedford, Massachusetts 5. Labor Market The well-being of any community is often measured by the strength of its economy and productivity of its workforce. New Bedford’s beautiful coastal setting has been gradually shaped over 200 years by land use patterns tied to the whaling, fishing, and textile industries. In the mid-1850s, New Bedford’s whaling fleet launched more whaling voyages than all other American ports combined and was the wealthiest city per capita in the United States. New Bedford’s chief asset is a population that for fishing port in the nation is not content to rest on that two hundred years has had an unparalleled work designation; its leaders defined the offshore wind ethic. Whaling, textile manufacturing, and fishing industry as complementary to the marine industries are physically demanding jobs. The people of in the port and have led the nation in preparing for New Bedford excelled at these jobs, lighting this new industry. and clothing the world with their efforts. As each industry declined, the people of New Bedford sought innovative ways of making a living – from whaling to textiles, textiles to fishing, and now to a host of other advanced manufacturing sectors. The number one At the same time, the cost of living in New Bedford has allowed wages in New Bedford to remain below the state and national average. This represents significant value to employers looking to access the skills and work ethic of this pool of future employees. Comparative Salaries City of New Bedford Per ­Capita Income Annual Salary Commonwealth of ­Massachusetts Annual Salary % Below the State Average U.S. Annual Salary % Below the National Average 2010 $20,447 $33,966 40% $27,270 25% 2000 15,602 25,952 40% 21,587 28% 1990 10,923 17,224 37% 14,420 24% 1980 5,431 7,457 27% 7,313 26% New Bedford, Massachusetts 23 Labor Market continued Employment and Salary by Job Category Job Categories Total Employed in Area Total All Occupations Annual Entry-level Salary ($) Annual Experienced Salary ($) 86,110 23,205 59,505 11,620 24,714 45,254 Media Production/Design/ Marketing/PR/ Content Management 1,090 20,800 104,405 Business Development/Sales/ Advertising 8,480 21,275 40,286 Finance and Accounting 2,453 33,766 190,449 530 48,802 103,352 Facilities, Maintenance Real Estate 2,250 21,893 35,639 Customer Service 1,070 23,213 41,744 730 22,965 50,718 Human Resources, Training 2,723 29,411 66,803 Medical Health and Safety 5,223 25,094 244,717 830 55,587 135,463 Operations, Computer, IT Support, Engineering 7,520 33,291 122,932 Legal 3,555 34,375 158,063 Non-Tech Management 3,460 32,100 164,558 Administrative Support Business Intelligence Buying, Supply Chain Planning, Instock Management Fulfilment and Operations Management Hardware Development 85 79,150 116,141 Machine Learning Science 100 61,785 110,004 Technical Management 753 80,500 153,411 Research 680 43,404 116,141 Software Engineers 140 61,785 110,004 *These are sample aggregated labor pool, entry, and experienced salaries based on labor market information in the Greater New Bedford region on the South Coast of Massachusetts and are for representative purposes. Comparative Unemployment Rates Year New Bedford Labor Force New Bedford Unemployment Rate Massachusetts ­Unemployment Rate U.S. Unemployment Rate 2017* 47,298 6.4% 3.6% 4.6% 2016 46,433 6.5% 3.8% 4.7% 2015 46,974 8.8% 4.9% 5.0% 2014 47,091 10.2% 5.8% 6.2% 2013 44,560 13.5% 7.1% 7.4% 2012 43,961 12.5% 6.7% 8.1% * 2017 figures are based on the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development 12-month average from August 2016 to July 2017. 24 New Bedford, Massachusetts Workforce Education and Training The City of New Bedford has 27 schools educating programs is NBHS alumnus and benefactor, Dr. Irwin approximately 12,640 students. School facilities Jacobs, founder of Qualcomm, a world leader in 3G include: 22 elementary schools, three middle schools, and next-generation mobile technologies. one high school, and one alternative junior-senior high school. Vocational education is provided by the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School District, which includes New Bedford, Fairhaven and Dartmouth. NBHS is the region’s comprehensive high school of choice, offering 19 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, conducted by College Board certified instructors. These courses are eligible for college credit and result in the awarding of the coveted New Bedford High School (NBHS) provides multiple Capstone Diploma upon completion of Grade 12 pathways to graduation to meet the unique needs of – an academic distinction awarded by the College all students and provides them the tools necessary Board and sought by admissions officers of highly for success in today’s workforce. competitive colleges and universities. NBHS is an active member of the National Academy Graduates of NBHS have been accepted into many Foundation (NAF), offering its students unique and of America’s most competitive institutions, including tailored learning environments within the NAF recently, Harvard, Brown, and Georgetown. Many Career Academy model. These include the Academy more attend the University of Massachusetts- of Engineering, Academy of Finance, Academy of Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth), Bristol Community Information Technology, and the Academy of Health College, and regional technical institutions, and Sciences. In addition, Academies are augmented underscoring the South Coast region’s stable and by Career Technical Education (CTE) programming. work-ready employment pool. In the US, secondary and post-secondary CTE programs create an educational environment that integrates core academics with real-world relevance to prepare students for employment in business, industry, and the professions. For those already in the labor force, the New Bedford Career Center is an efficient, innovative, and responsive way for businesses or individuals to get employment, education, and job training services. Connecting with job seekers, training opportunities, A 1:1 technology initiative provides every student and community partners has never been easier. The (Grades 9 through12) with a personal laptop for use Workforce Training Fund is a state fund financed in and out of school for an expanded regimen of entirely by Massachusetts employers. Its purpose is to learning, research, class assignments, and homework. provide resources to Massachusetts businesses and A key proponent of these and other cutting-edge workers to train current and newly hired employees. “I wanted that work ethic, skill set, and experience of Portuguese-American stitchers—you really can’t find it anywhere else in the United States. I wanted to come to New Bedford because of the charm of the city.” Jeff Rose, President of Upmarket Stitchers New Bedford, Massachusetts 25 Boston CSA 100 Schools 383,747 Undergraduates 127,236 Graduate Students Boston 30 Schools 80,758 Undergraduates 28,750 Graduate Students 3 Provincetown 24 PROVIDENCE 19 Schools MSA 80,867 Undergraduates 15,783 Graduate Students Providence 25 24 140 * 28 NEW BEDFORD Martha’s Vineyard 26 New Bedford, Massachusetts 2 Schools 4,291 Undergraduates 1,001 Graduate Students Nantucket 6. Partnerships with Higher Education New Bedford is the center of a web of universities and colleges that reach from Providence to Boston and beyond. The City partners closely with UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College (BCC). Approximately eight non-specialized colleges and universities exist within the broader Providence MSA; approximately 30 nonspecialized colleges and universities exist within the metropolitan Boston area. UMass Dartmouth As the only Massachusetts research university located and educational opportunities in data-intensive south of Boston, UMass Dartmouth focuses its over $26 methodologies and applications. It was launched million research enterprise on regional needs and to help meet the growing demand for researchers aspirations while creating national and global impact and professionals skilled in developing and utilizing related to sustainable fisheries, coastal environmental automated methods of collecting and analyzing protection, ocean modeling, clean energy, public data and to foster new collaborations in cognate policy, scientific computing, community health, application areas. The program is especially focused and Portuguese-American culture. The University on harnessing the potential power of big data to has established advanced manufacturing and transform areas ranging from healthcare to business bio-manufacturing centers in the city of Fall River to government. The data science program integrates and has located its School of Marine Science and traditional disciplines such as mathematics, statistics. Technology and its College of Visual and Performing and computer science and it creates a digital network Arts in the city of New Bedford to directly connect that can engage students and faculty university-wide. teaching and research to the advancement of nearby urban centers. Software engineering is the systematic approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of U.S. News and World Report ranks the College software. The Computer Science program with an of Engineering within the top 40 undergraduate option in software engineering is a three-year degree, programs in the country, and UMass Dartmouth appropriate for those students considering a career as a Tier 1 national research university. The in large-scale commercial software development or in data science program at UMass Dartmouth is managing software projects. an interdisciplinary effort to develop research New Bedford, Massachusetts 27 Partnerships with Higher Education continued UMass Dartmouth Seleted Undergraduate Degrees 2014 WHOLE UNIVERSITY College of Arts & Sciences 2015 2016 1,276 1,323 1,385 563 518 524 Economics 17 13 9 Mathematics 13 11 16 340 357 415 College of Business Accounting 94 86 115 Finance 48 45 62 General Business Administration 13 19 16 Human Resources Management 19 3 1 Management 23 46 65 Management Information Systems 22 26 27 Marketing 77 97 103 Operations Management 44 35 26 155 211 206 4 21 22 College of Engineering Bioengineering Civil Engineering 39 34 33 Computer Engineering 18 15 13 Computer Science 25 37 36 UMass Dartmouth Selected Graduate Degrees 2014 2016 537 530 543 College of Arts & Sciences 182 181 162 College of Business 154 178 156 Business Administration (MBA) 145 163 142 Post-Baccalaureate Certificates 9 15 13 59 62 117 4 6 19 Computer Science 15 21 57 School of Law (JD) 79 64 53 College of Engineering Computer Engineering (MS) 28 2015 WHOLE UNIVERSITY New Bedford, Massachusetts Bristol Community College BCC offers 82 Associate degrees, 55 certificate Administration. The Commonwealth’s MassTransfer programs, and has the most comprehensive academic program facilitates matriculation to all the public offerings of all 15 Massachusetts community colleges, four-year universities in Massachusetts. ranging from Accounting to Veterinary Health Care. Academic programs include Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, and Office BCC graduated 1,397 students in FY2016, 1,479 students in FY2015, and 1,387 students in FY2014. CONNECT Partnership UMass Dartmouth and BCC are also members of educational attainment, advancing economic health, CONNECT, a partnership of the six public higher and strengthening cultural life throughout the region. education institutions in Southeastern Massachusetts: Bridgewater State University, BCC, Cape Cod Community College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, and UMass Dartmouth. CONNECT realizes its mission by focusing on four major areas, with activities and initiatives that: enhance academic programs and ease transfer of students among the institutions, foster economic development throughout the region, promote cultural Leveraging the quality, strength, resources, and programs and projects, and share expertise and excellence of the six public higher education resources. The executive officers of the CONNECT institutions of CONNECT, it is their mission to institutions cooperate to strengthen their institutional enhance educational effectiveness and efficiency missions and to enrich the life of the region. while improving student success, increasing Regional Higher Education Institutions New Bedford offers a lower cost of housing and Boston is well-known for its student population, shorter commute times – attractive to graduates of including Harvard University, the Massachusetts the universities and colleges throughout the region. Institute of Technology, Boston University, the Nearby Providence offers access to graduates University of Massachusetts-Boston, Tufts University, of Brown University and the University of Rhode Northeastern University, and many other colleges and Island. In 2015, the Providence MSA had 80,867 universities whose graduates provide a unique and undergraduates and 15,783 graduate students diverse pool of talent to prospective employers. In (or those enrolled in professional schools) in 2015, there were 383,747 undergraduates and 127,236 thirteen schools within Rhode Island and six within graduate students enrolled within the over 100 Massachusetts. colleges and universities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island within the Boston CSA. Boston itself had 80,758 undergraduates and 28,750 graduate students. Data on school populations from the 2011-2015 American Community Survey. Number of schools per region from the 2015 Carnegie Classifications. New Bedford, Massachusetts 29 Boston 56 Miles 3 Provincetown 24 30 Miles Providence 25 24 140 * 28 NEW BEDFORD 25 Miles 30 New Bedford, Massachusetts Martha’s Vineyard Nantucket 7. Access and Transportation New Bedford’s transportation network has come a long way from the cart paths and stony roads of County and King Streets that connected the scattered farmsteads to the schooners sailing off on short whaling voyages in the Atlantic. Today New Bedford is the center of a triangle that includes Boston, Providence, and the Cape and Islands as its three corners. A network of transportation options connects New Bedford to the points of the triangle – and beyond to the rest of the world. The transportation infrastructure in New Bedford of freight now also occurs by plane, train, and truck. includes an interstate highway, airport, water ferry The last mile from warehouse to client may be by service, freight rail, and regional and interstate bus delivery truck, car, or even by drone. service. Furthermore, the South Coast Rail (SCR) project outlines the return of commuter rail service to our region. New Bedford was originally connected to the rest of New Bedford’s walkable downtown is perfect for pedestrians, reducing the number of trips by car. Bicycle paths and a public transit network reduce vehicular congestion within the city. the world by the sea. This is still true, but the transfer Local Highways The site has direct access on Hathaway Road, is in the Easy connections from Route 140 exist north to Route northwest quadrant of the I-195/Hathaway Boulevard 24 (heading to Boston) and south to Route 6 (which overpass, and has direct off-ramp access from Route parallels I-195). I-195 also connects to Route 18 which 140 to I-195, which connects New Bedford to Fall begins in downtown New Bedford and runs north, River and Providence to the west and southeastern parallel to Route 140. Massachusetts and the Cape to the east. New Bedford, Massachusetts 31 Access And Transportation continued Air In addition to its own airport, New Bedford is within accommodating a wide range of aviation activities, easy reach of two international airports: T.F. Green including scheduled service to the islands via Airport in Providence, Rhode Island and Logan Cape Air, the support of over 50,000 annual aircraft International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts. operations, and provision of a home base for more Located one minute from the proposed site for HQ2, the New Bedford Regional Airport is one of New Bedford’s greatest economic assets with than 100 aircraft. In addition, the airport hosts an extensive range of general aviation and corporate jet services, including an FAA-certified repair station. a $32.4 million-dollar economic impact. The In recent years the airport has invested over $30 847-acre airport boasts major upgrades to airport million into airport infrastructure, with another $30 infrastructure – demonstrating a strong commitment million of investment planned. The airport will be to meeting a growing aviation demand within the a new facility strategically positioned to handle the New England region. growing demand for air service by Amazon and other The New Bedford Regional Airport serves the corporate interests in southeastern Massachusetts. south coast region as a commercial service airport South Coast Rail The rail line abuts the northern edge of the City’s project has been the upgrade of the line at certain Site. The South Coast Rail (SCR) project is a state-led points to carry freight. The status of the SCR project effort to restore commuter rail service from Boston would allow discussions of a potential freight and/or to New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton. Part of this commuter facility at the City’s proposed site for HQ2. Public Transit The Southeastern Regional Transit Authority runs is in the heart of the walkable downtown, and the ten routes through New Bedford, and service will be proposed SCR station in the waterfront area will be provided to the proposed City site. The bus terminal linked by bus to the City’s proposed site. 32 New Bedford, Massachusetts Sea The Port serves as the city’s greatest natural resource are available in the Port, including passenger and and most critical asset to stimulate investment, cargo service to Cuttyhunk Island and passenger attract new industry, create jobs, and develop a service to Martha’s Vineyard. Launch, water taxi, and healthy economy. Over 6,200 people are employed charter boat services also operate in the Port. by New Bedford’s commercial port. New Bedford is the number one value fishing port in the nation, generating direct business revenues of $3.3 billion and in providing a total economic impact of $9.8 billion, representing 2% of the Commonwealth’s GDP. The Port of New Bedford is currently undertaking a more than $200 million commercial makeover: deepening channels and berths, as well as repairing and enlarging maritime terminals and wharves to accommodate the needs of the growing shipping and Today, the busy Port of New Bedford is home to over emerging offshore wind industries. With excellent 200 maritime businesses, a commercial fleet of 500 road, vessel, and rail connections to New England, fishing vessels, two inter-island ferry services, an the nation, and the world, New Bedford is poised active cargo shipping industry, a cruising industry, to become a leading intermodal port into the 21st bulk and break-bulk cargo facilities, and numerous century and beyond. shipyards and vessel repair facilities. Ferry services New Bedford, Massachusetts 33 8. Commitment to Sustainability Signifying its leadership in sustainability, New Bedford was proudly chosen to become the home of “A Bioneers by the Bay Conference” presented by the Marion Institute. Held in the historic Downtown, the internationally-acclaimed annual gathering hosts over 2,000 students, teachers, green business innovators, scientists, grassroots leaders, and everyday folks from across the East Coast. They gather in New Bedford to embrace, share, brainstorm, network, heal, learn, teach, celebrate, recharge, and connect for change. Offshore Wind New Bedford thinks past the obvious. Its proud past as areas of open ocean south of Martha’s Vineyard off the “City that Lit the World” is the key to its future as the Massachusetts coast. A key advantage of New the home port for a new American industry – offshore Bedford’s port is a $115 million marine terminal built wind. City leaders saw the potential when no one specifically to handle the heavy loads of turbine else did – and they acted quickly and decisively to components. Unique in North America, the New become the leading city in an emerging market. Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, was financed New Bedford is the closest industrial port to the largest wind energy reserves in the United States, and constructed by the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy Center with support from the City. “New Bedford has always been at the center of our strategy for building out the offshore wind industry.” Jeff Grybowski, CEO of Deepwater Wind 34 New Bedford, Massachusetts With the state and federal government now moving to Wind MW, and Deepwater Wind, are now looking to develop these waters for large offshore wind turbine the City’s port as the location to deploy, operate, and farms, major industry players, including Denmark- maintain their projects. based DONG Energy (Bay State Wind), Offshore Solar Energy The City of New Bedford’s Renewable Energy The City’s effort at Sullivan’s Ledge, one of the Power Purchasing Initiative is a comprehensive country’s most high-profile “Superfund” hazardous approach to achieving the City’s goals across waste sites, has drawn special praise from Former several areas, including taxpayer savings, reduction U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, who has cited of the local carbon footprint and climate change, New Bedford’s effort to redevelop contaminated sites green job-creation, and clean-up of contaminated at Sullivan’s Ledge and other city properties as new brownfields. Over the next 20 years, the ten major solar farms as an example to the nation. solar projects are projected to save city government $22 million. Mayor Jon Mitchell received the First Place 2016 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award at the Because of the Initiative, New Bedford has received U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in widespread national recognition from many sources, Indianapolis. Mayor Mitchell was chosen for this ranging from the Wall Street Journal to Fomer U.S. EPA award because New Bedford’s solar and wind energy Administrator Gina McCarthy, for the City’s unique initiatives have established the city as national leader distinction as having the most installed solar capacity in “thinking big” on alternative energy. in the continental U.S. on a per capita basis. New Bedford was designated a Green Community by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in January 2017. New Bedford’s recognition as a national leader and a role model for other communities has been a source of pride to its residents and a clear example of the What was once a modest local effort to install small- potential of medium-sized post-industrial cities to scale rooftop solar facilities on city schools has turned contribute meaningfully to the broader national into one of the nation’s most ambitious moves to adopt agenda both economically and environmentally. solar under the Administration of New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. Green Municipality The City of New Bedford boasts the largest landfill gases and biogas into 3.4 megawatts of municipal electric car fleet in Massachusetts. The electricity annually, with plans for major expansion. vehicles, in use by Health Department inspectors in city neighborhoods, are leased for just $70 per month per vehicle as the result of attractive financing and incentives. The City recently undertook one of the largest performance-contracting initiatives anywhere in the Northeast. The long-term partnership with Siemens Corporation will retrofit the City’s stock of nearly 100 The City of New Bedford’s municipal landfill hosts municipal buildings with energy efficiency measures, two separate waste-to-energy projects which convert including heating and cooling systems and climate controls. New Bedford, Massachusetts 35 9. Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lewis Temple’s Toggle Harpoon is an early example of “thinking big” in New Bedford. This simple switch from a fixed head to one that pivoted was an app that transformed a global industry. New Bedford is a city of ideas – applied at the global, local, and micro level. From formal to informal, large to small – the following are examples of the innovation and entrepreneurship that has always characterized this hard-working city. IoT Impact LABS Impact LABS is a field-pilot-based Internet of Things and legal and policy experts to define and test (IoT) accelerator launched by INEX Advisors in intelligent, intentional approaches to instrumenting downtown New Bedford, only a few short blocks the physical world. Their pilot sites are the most from the working waterfront. Their goal is to enhance innovative public and private SMBs throughout New and accelerate learning about, investing in, and England operating in Smart Cities, Food/Agriculture, value creation from IoT with small- and mid-sized Water/Maritime, Energy and Transportation Markets. businesses (SMBs) operating in “grand challenge” markets. LABS brings together world-class IoT startups, Tier 1 technology and industrial suppliers, 36 New Bedford, Massachusetts Entrepreneurship for All EforAll began in 2010 as the Merrimack Valley team who offer results-driven programming to the Sandbox, a project launched underneath UMass area’s entrepreneurs—for free. It is a competitive Lowell with initial funding from the Deshpande process to get accepted into the free programming, Foundation. Before coming to New Bedford in 2015, and the entrepreneurs work hard to benefit from the they first began working in Lowell and Lawrence to technical assistance which is part of the Accelerator build a thriving, community-based, entrepreneurial Programs. During the past two years, 47 ventures have ecosystem where people and institutions from gone through the Accelerator Program and around across the community get involved and encourage 100 start ups have been involved in Pitch Contests, for entrepreneurship. EforAll provides New Bedford and which EforAll South Coast has given over $100,000 in the other cities it serves with a dedicated, talented cash prizes. Downtown Co-Creative Center The Co-Creative Center development will provide square foot maker-space, collaborative learning local artists, engineers, makers, and thinkers the tools center, arts gallery, and market as well as co-work and learning resources to make their ideas a reality. space, two new eateries, and four apartments. The project is made up of abutting vacant historic This $2.3 million project will be completed by the commercial buildings, circa 1840, on Union Street Waterfront Historic Area League in early 2018. in downtown New Bedford that will house a 10,000- BioReady Community New Bedford is also one of only 27 communities “Platinum BioReady Community” rating by the in Massachusetts to be awarded the prestigious Massachusetts Biotechnical Council. Groundwork! Groundwork! is an affordable and inspiring shared small businesses and independent contractors in office environment for creatives, startups, and New Bedford. freelancers in New Bedford. Nearly 100 members enjoy ample lighting and comfortable work stations with fast internet, printing and mailing services, and free coffee and snacks. Groundwork promotes collaboration and partnerships among its members, Groundwork! is located at the New Bedford Quest Center for Innovation, an initiative by the City of New Bedford to provide a focus for entrepreneurial training and a supportive environment for startup activity. supporting and nurturing a healthy economy of “This city has so much character and soul that starting a co-working business here just feels right.” Sarah Athanas, Co-Founder of Groudwork! New Bedford, Massachusetts 37 New Bedford, Massachusetts 38 - - New Bedford, Massachusetts 39 “We are all committed to this area. We are making history here!” Jessica Coelho, owner of Tia Maria’s European Café