OCPC Designated as Tech Hub for Route 24 Corridor, Secures Grant for Regional Strategy
BROCKTON - November 18 - The Old Colony Planning Council Economic Development Commission announced November 18 that it has been designated as a tech hub for the Route 24 corridor, securing grant funding for a comprehensive 12 to 18-month strategy development project aimed at bolstering advanced manufacturing and technology industries across six communities in the region.
The Full Story
The designation covers communities along the Route 24 border including Avon, Brockton, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, and West Bridgewater. According to OCPC’s Paul Umano, Senior Grant and Fiscal Compliance Officer, the commission will hold the tech hub designation for the next three years, recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The grant will support industries including advanced manufacturing, robotics, electronics, automation, and food production. Umano explained that the region boasts more than 60 advanced manufacturing firms along the corridor, employing over 5,500 workers. When food processing facilities are included, that number increases to approximately 70 to 75 companies.
“The goal is to build an overall unified strategy to include all the communities in our region at some point,” Umano told the commission. “We want to support existing companies that we have in our region, but also at the same time, attract new ones.”
The initiative brings together an impressive coalition of stakeholders. Nearly 30 industry leaders have signed on to participate, along with workforce partners including MassHire Greater Brockton and South Shore Career Centers. Educational institutions involved include Stonehill College, Bridgewater State University, South Shore Vocational Technical School, Southeastern Regional, Brockton High School, and high schools throughout the region’s municipalities.
The project aims to address critical workforce shortages affecting both middle and high school pipeline development. Umano noted that hiring delays are currently affecting production in the region, and there are limited training programs in high-tech automated fields such as robotics, CNC machining, and automation.
Nick Giaquinto, Senior Economic Development Planner at OCPC, emphasized the significance of the designation beyond the immediate grant. “This grant’s a pretty big deal for us in the region,” he said. “Beyond the scope of the grant, I think the actual tech hub designation for this area is gonna open up a lot of opportunities for the region to capture additional money, additional funding for things like industry development, infrastructure, and workforce.”
The project timeline consists of five phases, beginning with a kickoff meeting scheduled for Monday following the commission meeting. While OCPC is still awaiting a formal contract, Phase Two will focus on research, branding, and drafting the strategy and investment plan. The final phase will include a public rollout of the completed strategy.
Long-term goals include establishing a dedicated incubator space where students can receive hands-on training in advanced manufacturing techniques. Umano indicated that such a facility would require future funding beyond the current grant.
Giaquinto acknowledged the contributions of key partners, giving special recognition to Jason Hunter and Lorraine Albert from MassHire Greater Brockton and Laura Buckley from MassHire South Shore for their critical roles in the application process.
Brownfields Assessment Grant Progresses Through Year Three
The commission also received an update on the EPA-funded brownfields assessment grant, now in its third year. The $500,000 grant has enabled OCPC to conduct Phase One and Phase Two environmental assessments on contaminated properties throughout the district, primarily focusing on sites along or near the MBTA commuter rail.
Nick Giaquinto reported that the commission has completed six Phase One assessments and three Phase Two assessments to date, though the team examined nearly 20 sites before narrowing to those six. Properties assessed include multiple sites in Kingston at 10-20 Maple Street, the Regal Shoe site on Route 27 in Whitman, the light control plant at 100 Hawks Avenue in Hanson, and most recently, two properties in Pembroke: the fire station in Pembroke Center and the former Council on Aging building at 144 Center Street.
“Phase One being basically a comprehensive research on what’s been done at the site, what type of industry or what types of contamination may be anticipated from its past life,” Giaquinto explained. “And Phase Twos are essentially sampling the soil for testing to find out exactly what’s in it.”
The Regal Shoe site in Whitman presents particular promise for redevelopment. Located less than a mile from downtown and abutting the MBTA commuter rail station on Route 27, one cleanup scenario outlined in the Phase Two report would open approximately two and a half acres for a new mixed-use transit-oriented development project.
In Kingston, three assessed parcels could potentially enable a 14-acre land assembly suitable for housing or mixed-use development. The site is a short walk from the business district on Route 3A and offers access to parks, trails, and natural recreational assets.
The two Pembroke sites also show strong redevelopment potential. The 172 Center Street fire station sits on two acres at the busy intersection of Routes 14 and 36, directly across from a retail plaza and walking distance from the town’s municipal hub. The adjacent 144 Center Street property offers nearly two acres with significant frontage for retail or mixed-use development, aligning with the Pembroke Master Plan’s call for additional small businesses.
Don Sullivan, OCPC’s Director of Economic Development, noted that while only six Phase One assessments were completed, the work extended far beyond that number. “We actually looked at nearly 20 sites. So those are the sites that came up and panned out,” he said, explaining that many properties could not proceed due to access issues or other complications. However, the comprehensive review process has provided valuable information about properties that may be reassessed in the future when circumstances change.
Commission Approves Five-Year Economic Development Strategy
In the meeting’s primary action item, the commission unanimously approved the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) document and recommended it favorably to the OCPC council for full adoption.
As an Economic Development Administration-designated Economic Development District, OCPC is required to maintain and update an economic development plan every five years. The document serves as a collaborative, data-driven roadmap for regional growth that unlocks federal support through the EDA.
Giaquinto presented an extensive overview of the document, which he described as more concise than previous versions while maintaining comprehensive coverage. “We wanted to make this five-year plan a bit more concise and to the point than in previous ones,” he said.
The data analysis section reveals a region experiencing growth but facing emerging challenges. Population and employment have expanded at rates exceeding state benchmarks over the past decade, but long-term projections indicate potential deceleration and contraction by 2050. Household incomes remain robust, yet per capita earnings and wage growth lag behind Massachusetts averages, compounded by rapidly rising home prices that challenge affordability for younger and entry-level households.
The workforce analysis shows high school attainment rates above the state average, but bachelor’s degree completion falls short. An aging labor pool with significant retirement risk is driving longer commutes as residents seek higher-paying opportunities outside Plymouth County.
“One of the big ones, perhaps one of the most important takeaways from this from an economic standpoint, industry composition is heavily weighted toward healthcare and retail,” Giaquinto noted. Manufacturing retains strategic importance despite wage compression, while construction is seeing dramatic growth. Manufacturing, finance, and wholesale trade have declined despite being among the highest-paying industries, creating an imbalance between job availability and wage quality.
Infrastructure constraints emerged as acute challenges. The document identifies declining residential permitting, limited sewer and water capacity, and increasing congestion along critical roadways as factors collectively restricting development potential. Many downtowns lack proper infrastructure for walkable, mixed-use business districts.
The SWOT analysis highlighted regional strengths including excellent transportation infrastructure via Routes 24, 3, and 44, commuter rail access, proximity to educational institutions, and vibrant natural and cultural resources. Weaknesses include education gaps, inadequate water and sewer infrastructure, low wages, and over-reliance on traditional sectors.
To address these challenges, the CEDS outlines six strategic goals: supporting small businesses through zoning reforms and partnerships; enhancing workforce capacity through training programs; expanding industry clusters in manufacturing, biotech, and emerging sectors; planning for infrastructure upgrades; boosting livability through affordable housing and wage growth; and building resilience against demographic pressures through industry diversification and tourism development.
The document identifies more than 20 high-impact projects across six categories, collectively projected to catalyze hundreds of millions of dollars in private capital and create thousands of new jobs. EDA opportunities in individual communities total approximately $122 million, with an additional $2.5 million in regional projects.
Commission members praised the document’s quality and accessibility. Shane O’Brien, Town Planner for Bridgewater, commended the work: “I thought it was very comprehensive, yet not overly hectic. It wasn’t 200 pages long. I thought it was concise and compelling and actually a lot of interesting facts and things.”
During discussion, Avon Town Planner Rick Jordan raised questions about projected population decline and whether updated 2024 census data might alter projections. Giaquinto acknowledged that while 2023 data was the most recent available during document preparation, 2024 statistics should be released soon and could be incorporated through amendments if warranted.
Sullivan clarified that the document can be amended at any point over the five-year period if new projects emerge or circumstances change. When Jordan expressed interest in being considered for future EDA projects, Sullivan confirmed that projects not initially identified can be added to the list through the amendment process.
Additional Updates and Federal Grant Status
Giaquinto provided updates on several ongoing initiatives, including completion of the commercial site inventory, which is now available on the OCPC website. He credited Megan Fournier from the OCPC team for the design and layout, noting that “a lot of thought” went into user functionality.
The East Bridgewater sewer construction project, subsidized by the EDA, is now in full swing with expected completion in late spring. OCPC is also working with the Town of Whitman on a downtown improvement strategy funded through a state earmark, marking the agency’s first project to experiment with AI-generated conceptual images.
However, Giaquinto reported continued frustration with the status of four pending EDA applications: the Avon sewer design project, the regional wastewater study, the annual planning grant, and the most recently submitted Easton sewer design project. “The lack of movement with anything at the EDA lately was only exacerbated by the shutdown,” he said, referring to the federal government shutdown. “Now that that has ended, hopefully we’ll get some response or update from them.”
Sullivan added that the regional grants alone represent about $6 million in total funding, with approximately $800,000 coming to OCPC. “They’re really significant, important projects for the district,” he said. The agency continues to work with federal legislative representatives to move these projects forward and obtain answers from the Commerce Secretary, as some projects have been awaiting approval for an extended period.
Why It Matters
The tech hub designation and accompanying grant represent a significant opportunity for economic transformation in the Route 24 corridor. For businesses, the initiative promises a more skilled workforce pipeline, better training programs, and potential for growth in high-tech manufacturing sectors. For residents, particularly young people and those seeking career changes, the project could provide access to well-paying jobs in growing industries without requiring relocation. The comprehensive strategy aims to address fundamental challenges including workforce gaps, infrastructure limitations, and economic diversification that have constrained regional growth. Success could position the Old Colony region as a recognized center for advanced manufacturing and technology, attracting investment and creating lasting economic opportunity for communities that have historically relied on more traditional employment sectors.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: To approve meeting minutes from June 4, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:02:38)
Motion: That the OCPC Economic Development Commission recommends the 2025-2030 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document favorably to the OCPC council for full adoption. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:41:14)
Public Comment
No public comment period was held during this meeting. Attendees included representatives from various municipalities, workforce development organizations, and regional planning agencies, but no formal public comment was solicited or provided.
What’s Next
The Route 24 Tech Hub initiative will hold its kickoff meeting on Monday following this commission meeting to begin the strategy development phase. The 2025-2030 CEDS document will proceed to the OCPC council for full adoption. OCPC staff will reach out to commission members over the next several weeks to confirm their continued participation for 2026. The agency will continue monitoring the status of pending EDA grant applications and awaiting federal approval for several major regional projects. The East Bridgewater sewer construction project is expected to be completed in late spring 2026.