New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Today, the Massachusetts state legislature gave final approval to legislation filed by Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) that will redevelop the New Bedford municipal golf course into a 21st century advanced manufacturing campus.
Redeveloping nearly 100 acres of the 275-acre property while retaining modern golfing facilities is expected to generate up to 1,000 new jobs and approximately $2.7 million in new revenue for the city. Today’s action by the legislature represents a significant milestone for the project and victory for the longtime New Bedford Senator who has championed the project since 2017.
In order to construct the new advanced manufacturing campus, Massachusetts law requires the city to place conservation protections on open land of similar acreage or value to the current golf course space slated for development. The requirement is mandatory per Article 97 of the Massachusetts state constitution. This procedure requires local approval and a formal two-thirds vote in the Massachusetts legislature. In 2021, the New Bedford City Council voted to approve the Article 97 land swap, which will place conservation restrictions on 156 acres of city-owned land located along Woodcock Road in Dartmouth.
In March 2021, Montigny filed S29, An Act authorizing the city of New Bedford to convey certain land acquired for open space and playground purposes. The bill authorizes the envisioned land swap necessary to permit the project to move forward. Montigny worked with legislative committee chairs and Senate leadership to propel the bill forward. The Senate engrossed the bill in October 2021 and the House finally followed, approving the bill during an informal session earlier this month.
“We will continue to work expeditiously so that shovels are in the ground in time to help boost our local economic recovery,” said Senator Montigny, who has advocated and strongly supported the project since 2017. “I want to thank our House sponsor, Representative Chris Markey, as well as Representatives Schmid and Cabral, Mayor Mitchell, our City Council, and all the interested stakeholders for their efforts to date. I look forward to this project’s continued progress.”
