In its quest to expand opportunities for living wage jobs in the region, the CDC has engaged in a number of commercial development activities. As capacity within the CDC grows, commercial development will be an area of increased attention. To contact the CDC regarding a commercial/industrial project in your town, email us or call the office 413-967-3001 and speak to Susan.

Some of the projects already undertaken include:

1. Development of a Commercial and Industrial properties Database (c/i database). The database lists all of the properties in the fifteen towns that are assessed as commercial, business and/or industrial. A summary of the zoning laws for each town is included. Database is current as of 6/2001. CDC planning includes offering the database on-line and combining it with other similar projects at the regional and state level, massmeansbusiness.com.
   
   
2. Assignment as the developer on the South Main Street School project in Monson. The CDC has engaged a Licensed Site Professional (LSP) to complete the assessment on environmental contamination of the property that was left by the previous owner. Because of the presence of lead and other toxic materials, this is considered a brownfields project. The CDC will work closely with the Town of Monson to determine the best use of the property and to obtain funds necessary for cleanup and rehab.
   
   
3. Assistance to the newly created Boys and Girls Club of Western Worcester County in Spencer. Originally contacted by the town, the CDC has been engaged to help the Boys&Girls Club examine the David Prouty Middle School for potential re-use. The Boys&Girls Club is interested in the building as a possible future location, once it is vacated by students. CDC involvement includes hiring an architect to assess the building and an analysis of both the capital costs for refurbishment and a projection of the operating costs and income needs to sustain it.
   
   
4. Assistance to the Palmer Redevelopment Authority regarding the Palmer Airport. The CDC performed a brief but comprehensive study for the PRA to determine the feasibility of doing a business plan on the property. Results concluded that a business plan was warranted if the PRA or the Airport Association could garner substantial public and municipal support for its continuation.