Economic Development & Planning
Industrial Park Planning for the Region
Potential site studied as part of the regional study of potential industrial park sites in Franklin County. Click to see enlarged version
Project Overview
Potential site studied as part of the regional study of potential industrial park sites in Franklin County. Click to see enlarged version
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Planned industrial park land plays an important role in the economy of Franklin County. Without such land available, locally grown businesses seeking to locate or expand in the region may have difficultly finding a suitable place to build their facilities and may be forced to move to another region. Industrial park planning ensures the most efficient use of public financial resources and existing infrastructure, while encouraging appropriate development patterns in keeping with the residents' vision for their community. There are six planned industrial parks in Franklin County. Only one of the parks has significant acreage available for new development. The FRCOG supports planning for the next industrial park to be conducted with a regional perspective and with careful consideration of environmental conditions as well as economic feasibility.
Current Activities
The FRCOG monitors the current tenancy of the existing planned industrial parks and conducts planning activities to address future needs. Currently, the FRCOG is updating the industrial park inventory completed in 2003. Over the next few months, staff will contact public officials and industrial park tenants to gather information for this inventory. Businesses located in these planned industrial parks are being asked to complete the 2008 Industrial Park Tenant Survey and return it to Jessica Atwood, Economic Development Planner, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, 425 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 . A report and maps will be produced at the end of this process to document the FRCOG's findings.
Future Plans
The FRCOG will continue to work with individual municipalities and the greater region to manage the location of industrial growth, so as to make the most efficient use of tax dollars for public infrastructure, create an atmosphere that is appropriate to these businesses, and that will help preserve the character of Franklin County.
Page last updated on September 12, 2008 .