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Developers spark talk of growth with Energy Park
By Joe Cohen
SouthCoastToday.com
 NEW
BEDFORD — A small industrial park in North Dartmouth
that has sat largely under-developed for almost 20 years
is about to come into its own as Energy Park — a place
where companies that generate energy from alternative
sources or use large amounts of energy can locate.
That is the prediction of the developers of the hugely
successful New Bedford Business Park who are taking over
responsibility for marketing Energy Park, located off
Old Fall River Road, west of Faunce Corner Road. The
park is located about 2 miles north of Interstate 195
and a half mile west of Faunce Corner Road.
In addition to bringing dozens of jobs to Dartmouth, the
development of Energy Park could have a “huge positive
impact” on property taxes, giving the town a significant
financial boost, officials said.
Energy Park already has a 72-megawatt power plant
operated by Morris Energy Group. The plant, known as
Dartmouth Power, is a natural gas-fired generator of
electricity that sends its output to the power grid at
times of peak demand and operates as a “standby reserve”
generator.
Energy Park is situated next to major electricity
transmission towers that are part of the state power
grid and is bisected by a major natural gas pipeline
operated by Algonquin Gas Transmission.
The announcement on Energy Park was made Wednesday
evening by Thomas G. Davis, executive director of the
Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation, at the
organization’s annual meeting in the New Bedford
Business Park, located in New Bedford and Dartmouth.
Mr. Davis said the Greater New Bedford Industrial
Foundation will market Energy Park for a percentage of
any future land sales or option agreements that are
consummated.
There currently are five companies considering
“renewable energy electricity” projects in the park, and
a possible sixth, he said. Two are in “advanced stage”
talks and three are in the “earlier stages.”
There has been “tremendous interest” already in Energy
Park, Mr. Davis said.
Energy Park was developed by the Aghai family; the
husband is a retired medical doctor who practiced in New
Bedford and the wife has been involved in real estate
for many years, according to a family member, James
Charrier.
Mr. Davis said there are 67 saleable acres off the
park’s access road with all utilities in place. He said
in addition to the location having the grid and gas line
in place, it also is relatively isolated and should not
have problems with neighbors.
Mr. Davis added he believes additional firms interested
in electricity generation may be attracted to the park,
along with companies such as those doing large amounts
of data processing that require a significant power
supply to operate. A large data processing company could
mean many well-paying jobs.
Michael J. Gagne, executive administrator for the town
of Dartmouth, said Energy Park is a “good location for
additional energy facilities.” Mr. Gagne said
alternative energy-oriented companies such as those
involved in co-generation would be among the candidates.
Dartmouth Power has operated at the park for about 15
years and has had no problems with neighbors or the
community at large, Mr. Gagne said.
Mr. Charrier noted there is additional land available
should Energy Park grow successfully.
Contact Joe Cohen at
jcohen@s-t.com
March 19, 2008 |
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