New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Paves the way for new job creation and economic development in New Bedford.
Today, the Massachusetts State Senate approved legislation filed by Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford) to 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 Senate represents a significant milestone for the project and victory for the longtime New Bedford Senator who has championed the project since 2017.
“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 long championed major economic development projects throughout Greater New Bedford including the downtown revitalization and redevelopment of Route 18. “I want to thank the Mayor, our City Council, and all the interested stakeholders for their efforts to date. I especially want to thank Representatives Antonio Cabral and Paul Schmid for cosponsoring this bill as well as Representative Chris Markey for filing in the House. We look forward to delivering this legislation to the Governor’s desk in the very near future.”
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. Earlier this year, 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 to today’s vote. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
