Regional Economic Development Assessment Tool (RED-AT)
Below is a list describing eighteen (18) economic development tools and assets that have been identified to assess the level of a municipality’s capacity to promote, encourage and undertake local economic development.
The municipalities are assessed using a color-coded scale labeled by a Green (Good), Orange (Fair) or Red (Needs Improvement/ Not Accessible) dot to indicate the level of a municipality’s strength to support local economic development. Tools have been grouped under five (5) general categories including: Transportation, Infrastructure, Marketing and Branding, Economic Development and Development Incentives. To see each community’s report card click on the town name.
DISCLAIMER**: The results in this Assessment Tool are derived from the best available data and information collected by OCPC staff. Please note that some of the data and sources reviewed for this assessment may be inaccurate or outdated, affecting the outcome of a community's rank in any particular category.
If any particular data supplied by this tool appears incorrect, please email Senior Economic Development Planner, Nick Giaquinto, ngiaquinto@ocpcrpa.org, with the correct information and any related context which may be helpful. Updates to the webpage will occur as soon as possible.
Key:
STRONG
The community has made full and proper use of this existing feature, tool, or amenity - achieving maximum value it offers to residents and businesses. Resources are efficiently allocated, and services are well-maintained and accessible to all residents.
FAIR
The community has some elements or version of the feature, tool, or amenity, but there may be gaps or limitations in their availability or utilization. Efforts are made to improve and expand services, but they may not be fully realized yet.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT/ NOT ACCESSIBLE
The community lacks significant use or presence of this feature, tool, or amenity. Resources are scarce, and services may be inadequate or non-existent. There is a need for substantial improvement and investment to meet the needs of residents.
TRANSPORTATION | INFRASTRUCTURE | MARKETING/ENGAGEMENT | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES | REPORT | ||||||||||||||||
MUNICIPALITIES | Public Transit | Highway Access | Rail (Commuter) | Rail (Freight) | Municipal Sewer | Municipal Water | Gas | Fiber | EDC/IDC or RDA | Branding | ED Website | Business Assoc | ED/Town Planner | PDS Inventory | Brownfield Inventory | Master Plan | ED Plan | Business Incentives (TIF-STA) | Zoning Supporting ED | Expedited Permitting 43D | ED SAT |
DEVELOPMENT TOOLS & ASSETS
Does the municipality’s location have direct access (exit) to major transportation route(s) and highway(s) or closest primary route(s) or interstate(s). Generally, a fixed asset.
Is the municipality serviced by a public transit service provider i.e. Brockton Area Transit (BAT) Authority, Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Area (GATRA) Transit Authority or others.
Is the municipality served by a commuter rail station or is there a station in proximity (adjacent community) to the municipality. Is the municipality served by rail freight i.e. active spurs lines serving business and industry.
Is the community served by municipal water or is there only limited service.
Is the community served by municipal sewer or is there only limited service.
Is the community served by gas and if yes, who is the provider(s) i.e.National Grid, Eversource Energy (NSTAR Gas) or others.
Does the municipality have or is served by a high-speed fiber optic broadband network.
Does the community have an established Economic Development Commission (EDC), Industrial Development Commission (IDC) or Redevelopment Development Authority (RDA) or equivalent entity. These boards or committees are generally established by the municipal government and appoint the membership or work in partnership with the local government.
Other than the city or town seal, does the municipality have a brand or logo to promote the community and/or is there a marketing strategy i.e. pamphlet, local map guide and/or other information to promote, highlight and market the community.
Does the Town’s Official Web site provide a link or a page for Economic Development to inform residents, businesses and others with economic data, information, reports, resources, events, and projects to promote and assist business and industry.
Is there an active local business association in the community. Generally, if a community has a designated downtown local businesses organize these associations to promote the central business district or if there is an industrial or business park, tenants located in the park typically organize one to promote, maintain roadways and beautification of park entrance(s).
Does the municipality have a Town Planner and are they experienced in the field of economic development or community and economic development.
Does the municipality have a list of identified priority development sites (PDS) or priority development areas (PDA) targeted for economic development i.e. development, redevelopment, expansion for business and industry, job creation and infrastructure investment.
Does the municipality have a list or inventory of contaminated hazardous waste sites or brownfield sites either known or perceived to contain contaminated hazardous waste.
Does the municipality have a current Master Plan and an Economic Development Plan or Strategy. Both these plans typically have a life span of about 10yrs each. The framework for an Economic Development Plan evolves from the Master Plan process which provides for an overall vision for how communities want to guide growth, development, preservation, and protection. Communities determine policies, goals and objectives and recommendations across several components i.e. land-use, zoning, housing, transportation, environment, open space, capital facilities and infrastructure and, climate change.
Generally, looking at whether a municipality has established and utilized business incentives under Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) including tax increment financing (TIF) or special tax assessments (STA) as a mechanism or tool to assist new business development or existing business expansion to encourage and support economic development.
Does the municipality’s zoning by-laws support and/or enhance opportunities for economic development. Examples may include development overlay district (DOD), mixed-use overlay district (MOD), tax increment financing (TIF) zone or district, transit-oriented development (TOD) overlay district, central business district (CBD) zoning, to designate a downtown or town center, options for reduced parking requirements to allow for infill development opportunities in appropriate zoning districts, and others.
Has the municipality adopted expedited permitting under Chapter 43D Expedited Streamlined Permitting Program. Allows for transparent review process and permitting decisions on priority development sites within 180 days. Other benefits include consideration of funding applications under One Stop i.e. Mass Works and Mass Development Brownfield assistance and others, online marketing and promotion of sites and, increased visibility of the community and priority development sites.
