Old Colony Tech Hub Strategy Development

Empowering Southeastern Massachusetts’ Innovation Economy

The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) is leading a transformative initiative to position the Route 24 corridor as a regional center for advanced manufacturing and technology. This effort is part of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Tech Hub Grant Program, which supports regional strategies to strengthen innovation ecosystems. Through this program, OCPC will work with businesses, educators, and municipalities to build a competitive innovation economy for Southeastern Massachusetts.

About the Grant

OCPC has received a $100,000 Strategy Development Grant from the Mass Technology Collaborative to support the designation of the Route 24 corridor as a Tech Hub. This funding will enable the creation of a comprehensive strategic plan that identifies regional assets in advanced manufacturing, guides future investment, and fosters collaboration across industry, academia, and government. The ultimate goal is to develop a roadmap that attracts employers, grows jobs, and secures additional state and federal resources for long-term competitiveness.

Why It Matters

The Route 24 corridor is a critical economic engine for the region. Leveraging its existing strengths will create new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Key Factors About the Corridor:

65+

Advanced Manufacturing Companies

5,500

Skilled Workers in Machining, Aerospace, Medical Devices, Automation, and Materials

350+

Acres of Development Potential with Upcoming Infrastructure Improvements

Strong Partnerships

Among Municipalities, Colleges, Workforce Boards, and Industry Leaders

Project Updates

Manufacturers, Educators, and Students Talk Perception and Pathways at Second Route 24 Tech Hub Roundtable

Avon, MA — July 21, 2026 The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) brought together voices from AccuRounds, Artisan Manufacturing, the Town of Avon, Avon Public Schools, MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board, and Massasoit Community College,— plus students from Massasoit and Brockton High School, who weren’t shy about sharing their own experiences. A lot of the conversation came back to one thing: perception. Ask most people to picture a factory floor, and they’ll probably describe something

August 3, 2026 No Comments

Educators, Employers, and Students Kick Off Route 24 Tech Hub Roundtable Series in Easton

Easton, MA — May 27, 2026 The Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) launched its Route 24 Tech Hub roundtable series with a discussion at the Easton Community Access Television Studios, bringing together North Easton Machine, Evans Machine Company, AccuRounds, the Southeastern Regional School District, Easton Public Schools, Easton’s Planning Director, MassHire Greater Brockton, and a Brockton High School student who offered a firsthand perspective. One message came through clearly: exposure has to start early. Panelists

May 27, 2026 No Comments

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Project Goals?

This strategy is designed to ensure the region remains competitive and future-ready. It will:

Expand training and credential programs in CNC machining, robotics, photonics, automation, and medical technology
Establish an Innovation Hub for training, incubation, and R&D
Identify ready-to-develop industrial sites and infrastructure needs
Launch a regional branding campaign to attract employers and investment
Deliver a final strategy capable of securing future funding

Who are the Key Partners?

Collaboration is at the heart of this initiative. Industry leaders, workforce organizations, educational institutions, and municipalities are working together to make this vision a reality.

Partners Include:

Industry Leaders: AccuRounds, Shawmut Advanced Materials, FH Peterson Machine Corp, Evans Machine, Primo Medical, North Easton Machine, Precision Fabricators, Insulation Technology Inc, Potentia Manufacturing Group, Ranfac Inc
Workforce Partners: MassHire Greater Brockton & South Shore Career Centers
Educational Institutions: Massasoit Community College, Stonehill College, Bridgewater State University, regional vocational schools
Municipalities: Avon, Brockton, Bridgewater, Easton, Stoughton, West Bridgewater
Non-Profit Partners: Empower Yourself (STEM programs for underserved students)

What are the Challenges Being Addressed?

The region faces several barriers to growth that this strategy aims to overcome:

Shortage of skilled workers in robotics, CNC machining, and automation
Hiring delays impacting production
Limited training programs and lack of dedicated incubator space
Need for stronger employer-educator partnerships

What is the Timeline?

The project runs from November 2025 through June 2027 and includes five phases:

Outreach & Assessments
Workforce Research & Branding
Strategy Drafting
Investment Plan
Public Rollout

How do I get Involved?

Stakeholder input is essential to the success of this initiative. We invite employers, educators, and community leaders to share workforce needs, identify expansion barriers, and participate in focus groups and working groups.

To get involved, please reach out to our contacts below: