Little Delights Bakery in Lowell
Today, the Commonwealth’s Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved eight projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) and four Vacant Storefront Projects. These projects are expected to create 212 net new jobs and retain 1,105 jobs throughout Massachusetts, while leveraging approximately $219 million in private investment. Of the applicants this quarter, three are manufacturers and two are located in Gateway Cities.
The EACC has approved 286 economic development projects since the beginning of the Baker-Polito Administration in January 2015. These projects will lead to the creation of 22,265 jobs, retention of 40,369 existing jobs, and will leverage almost $6.4 billion in private investment. Additionally, the EACC has assisted 124 manufacturing companies and 126 companies in Gateway Cities during this period.
Certified Vacant Storefront Projects:
Little Delights Bakery (Lowell) The bakery was purchased from the original owner in January 2019 and since then their products and services have been expanded. They now offer fruit baskets and have added delivery services. This new location (still within Lowell) will give them more space for a larger kitchen to increase the production of baked goods as well as more space for customers to dine-in at the bakery. They are receiving $15,000 in small business loans and grants from the City of Lowell and $10,000 in refundable tax credits from the state.
Mike’s Crunchies Munchies (Webster) Mike’s Crunchies Munchies has been operating as a food truck, and this will be their first permanent location. They serve appetizers, wings, subs, tenders, and seafood and will be adding Italian hand-tossed pizza. The Town of Webster is providing a $10,000 grant and the business will receive $10,000 in refundable tax credits from the state.
Wine Studio 51 (Webster) Wine Studio 51 is an upscale wine bar with self-serve machines. It will also serve brick oven pizza and specialty chocolates and cheese. The Town of Webster is providing a $10,000 grant and the business will receive $10,000 in refundable tax credits from the state.
The Coop, Inc. (Westborough) The owner of this business has owned and operated Pizza Chef in Millbury for the past 10 years and The Coop, also in Millbury, for the past five years. They plan to open a second location of The Coop in a vacant storefront in Westborough. The restaurant primarily offers wings and barbeque along with a variety of sandwiches and appetizers. They are receiving $10,000 in grants from the Town of Westborough and $10,000 in refundable tax credits from the state.
Local Incentive Only Projects:
Catania-Spagna Corporation (Ayer) Headquartered in Ayer, Catania Oils is a fourth-generation, family-owned manufacturer founded over 100 years ago. The company is a leading manufacturer of edible oils, including virgin olive, vegetable, blended, organic and specialty oils. The company occupies 212,000 square feet in Ayer for its corporate offices, distribution, and manufacturing operations. They have a need for additional manufacturing capacity and plan to construct a 51,500 square foot facility on-site. Catania-Spagna is creating 30 new jobs, retaining 100 existing jobs and making a private investment of $14.4 million. The Town of Ayer approved a 10-year TIF valued at approximately $783,673.
SMC Ltd. (Devens) Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Wisconsin, SMC is a privately held, global manufacturer and leader in medical device development and automated assembly technology solutions. They manufacture medical devices for original equipment manufacturers including surgical and biopsy devices, respiratory inhalers, specialty syringes, and filtrations devices. SMC needs additional space to expand their operations. They plan to construct an estimated 207,000 square foot facility for manufacturing and warehouse space. The expansion will result in the creation of 100 new jobs and an investment of $41.2 million. Devens has approved a five-year Tax Financing Agreement with a value of approximately $790,738.
401 Liberty Street, LLC (Greenfield) 401 Liberty Street was created in 2013 for the purpose of acquiring and developing property for lease and management. They currently have a diverse real estate and management portfolio with a focus on school facilities and substance abuse centers. This project involves a 750,000 square foot renovation and remediation for the development of an acute treatment and clinical support center, a residential recovery program and a community crisis stabilization program. The project entails an investment of $10.7 million. The City of Greenfield approved a seven-year STA with a value of approximately $613,782.
Edwards Vacuum, LLC (Haverhill) Edwards Vacuum has been in business for over 100 years. They are a global company that designs, manufactures, and distributes vacuum solutions all over the world. The Massachusetts location focuses on Cryogenic vacuum solutions designed to support Semiconductor fabrication businesses. Their existing facility in Chelmsford does not allow for expansion. The proposed project includes building and staffing an Innovation and Solution Center, which will become their hub for development, piloting and launching new Cryogenic vacuum systems. Edwards Vacuum is creating 50 new jobs, retaining 202 existing jobs and making an investment of $50 million. The City of Haverhill approved a five-year Tax Financing Agreement with a value of approximately $511,838.
BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (Marlborough) BJ’s Wholesale Club was founded in 1984 in Massachusetts and is currently headquartered in Westborough. BJ’s intends to lease and renovate approximately 187,825 square feet in two buildings; 168,581 square feet are located at 350 Campus Drive and 19,244 square feet are located at 100 Campus Drive in Marlborough. Additionally, the owner of the property will construct a new 120,000 square foot parking structure for BJ’s exclusive use. The company will retain 800 current employees and make an investment of $36 million. The city of Marlborough plans to approve a 20-year TIF valued at approximately $592,419.
Home Depot, USA, Inc. (Norton) Founded in 1978, the Home Depot is an American home improvement supplies retailing company with 2,200 stores and 500,000 employees across North America. The proposed project involves the establishment of a new, 100,000 square foot, state-of-the-art distribution center in the Northeast U.S. as part of the company’s strategy to serve customers with same-day and next-day deliveries. The facility would be an operation that allows consolidation and sortation capability for freight and parcels and serve the Greater Providence market. The company evaluated five sites in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in connection with the project. Home Depot is creating 25 new jobs and making an investment of $11.4 million. The town of Norton approved a 10-year Tax Financing Agreement with a value of approximately $784,124.
Fresh Powder, LLC (Pittsfield) Mill Town Capital acquired Bousquet Ski Resort and plans to redevelop and expand it to meet the growing demand for recreation and wellness. They have demolished the lodge and are in the process of building a new base lodge to be completed in spring 2021. Their fast-tracked timeline aims to have the new lodge ready for the 2021 – 2022 ski season in early December 2021. The new features will include an efficient and technology-driven skiing operation, a new food and beverage operation focused on year-round service and a multi-purpose space that could be utilized for events, meetings, and conferences. The project will result in the creation of seven new jobs, the retention of three existing jobs, and an investment of $11.3 million. The City of Pittsfield has approved a five-year TIF valued at approximately $1.04 million.
West Bridgewater Owner, LLC (West Bridgewater) DeBartolo Development, LLC is an established private real estate investment and development company. This project consists of developing approximately 72 acres in West Bridgewater from vacant land to a 350,000 square foot Industrial Logistics Center. The developer will be making necessary road improvements as the existing roadway has traffic problems and is not functioning properly. The developer is investing $44 million, and the Town of West Bridgewater approved a seven-year TIF valued at approximately $4.4 million.