Michael Gallerani, Brockton 21st Century Corp.

Brockton has taken major steps forward in its economic development planning and activity during the past several months, The Downtown Action Strategy, the result of a yearlong planning process, is the overarching plan for the Downtown Brockton corridor. Mayor Bill Carpenter and the Brockton City Council have approved the Strategy that will now serve as the roadmap for the planning and future development and program initiatives. The Strategy outlines how the city can as a location take best advantage of the commuter rail service that links Brockton to Boston in a matter of thirty minutes. In addition, District Improvement Financing (DIF) will provide the funding for public investment that is intended to improve parking, streetscape, and infrastructure as well as the overall user friendliness of the district. The Urban Revitalization Plan (URP) has also won approval; URP will provide opportunities to reintroduce city owned properties into the development mix and serve as a catalyst for the redevelopment of other properties.

Brockton’s Planning and Development team was also strengthened during the past several weeks by the addition of a Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellow provided by MassDevelopment. The TDI Fellow, a seasoned professional planner, will concentrate on the Downtown District as we move forward with the next planning and implementation phases of the strategy.

A great deal of positive progress has occurred not only in the Downtown Brockton area but also throughout the city. Major new investment (Trinity Financial’s Enterprise Block project, Vincente’s Market, City Hall Plaza, W.B. Mason’s headquarters, Concord Foods, Crown Linen, and Boston Fresh) and the introduction of a Main Streets Program are drivers of the city’s new economy. The Brockton Main Streets Program, modeled after the Boston Main Streets Program and based on the National Main Streets Program, has been initially introduced in the Campello Business District. Campello is the city’s oldest neighborhood and host to a number of restaurants and ethnic markets, making it a destination unto itself. The Campello Main Streets Program is lead by a full-time Main Streets Program manager.

During mayor Bill Carpenter’s first term (2014-15) the Department of Planning and Development was formed. Beyond the aforementioned Transformative Development Initiative Fellow the Planning and Development team includes the Brockton 21st Century Corp. (B21) and the Brockton Redevelopment Authority, the city planner and the Main Streets Program manager. The team is undertaking a long range planning effort, “Blueprint Brockton” that will look at and plan the future of twelve separate commercial or industrial areas of the city.

Brockton continues to move forward.

B21 is the lead in the effort of marketing the city and working with developers, Realtors, and businesses to find their right opportunities in Brockton. The Brockton Business Guide which serves as a “roadmap” for new and growing businesses was introduced late last year and has been welcomed by new businesses as well as established ones that are considering Brockton. In collaboration with B21, the BRA has introduced a new Façade Improvement program. Narrow Gate Architecture was brought in to create the Brockton Façade Program Design Guide as part of the program. In 2016, B21 will introduce the Business Boost Camp (technical assistance and business training) program that will provide businesses with access to important tools to help them grow.

Campanelli Stadium, home of the Brockton Rox baseball team (College Futures League) and the Shaw’s Center (conference and meeting facility) are both important elements in Brockton’s emergence as a location for conferences, meetings, functions, family entertainment, and events. In addition, Massasoit Community College owns and operates the Massasoit Conference Center facility providing businesses with a choice of venues for meetings and conferences.

Brockton’s industrial history (shoes) is a vital chapter in the Massachusetts manufacturing story. Brockton has evolved to a modern-day diversity of manufacturers. Today Brockton is home to food producers and distributors such as Concord Foods, Cindy’s Kitchen (salad dressing, sauces and dips), Washburn Candy, Uno Foods, Spence & Co. (seafood), Kinnealey & Co. (meats), Cape Cod Café (pizza), Boston Fresh, and Superior Bakery. Other manufacturers include WoodCraft (millwork), Evans Machine, and D. W. Clark.

Brockton serves as a regional healthcare destination with Signature Healthcare’s Brockton Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and the Brockton Veteran’s Administration Hospital as core health care facilities.

Businesses of all types have been established and are welcomed in this city of 93,000 people. Massasoit Community College and the Brockton Area Workforce Investment Board provide outstanding workforce training and provide an important piece of what makes local companies succeed.

The opportunities in Brockton are limited only by what an investor, innovator, inventor, entrepreneur, developer or dreamer can imagine.

Michael Gallerani is the executive director of the Brockton 21st Century Corp., Brockton, Mass.