Economic Development & Planning
Greater Franklin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Program & Economic Development District (EDD)
CEDS funding is being pursued to help with the rehabilitation of Putnam Hall in Orange.
Project Overview
The CEDS Program provides coordinated regional economic development planning for twenty-nine towns for Franklin County plus the towns of Amherst, Athol and Phillipston. This program maintains the region’s eligibility for federal Economic Development Administration funding programs. In 2006, the Greater Franklin County Region was designated an Economic Development District (EDD) by the Economic Development Administration. The program is guided by the CEDS Committee and the EDD Governing Board. Both groups oversee the development of the five-year plan and its annual updates. The plan contains economic data, regional economic development goals, an explanation of economic development activities occurring in the region, and a list of identified and prioritized regionally significant projects.
Current Activities
In this planning year, the CEDS Committee is examining important issues related to development and redevelopment of underutilized properties in the region that would support economic development, such as brownfields properties. This Fall, CEDS Region towns and regional organizations were asked to appoint or re-appoint representatives to the CEDS Committee. There remain some available representative seats, individuals interested in joining the CEDS Committee should contact the FRCOG Planning Department.
Future Plans
The FRCOG and the Town of Orange are working together to support the top ranked 2005 CEDS Project, the redevelopment of the Putnam Hall Building in Orange. Grant applications to fund clean-up and redevelopment work have been submitted to state and federal programs.
Links
US Economic Development Administration
Last updated on 12/18/2007 .