Dear Friends,

The four news stories in this issue exemplify critical aspects of New Bedford’s economic development: a responsive city government, international opportunities, success of a company in the emerging sector of “green” industries, and outside investment in New Bedford that retains jobs in the South End.

The City’s proactive streamlining of the permitting process helps businesses through an often cumbersome and time consuming process. The Massachusetts Export Center and Food Export USA-Northeast gathers over 50 participants to learn about opportunities, regulations and challenges involved in extending our seafood industry to international markets. A New Bedford alternative energy company expands its operation and relocates to the Business Park. An outside investor purchases a factory, retains 300 jobs and plans to increase its contracts with the US military.

Matthew A. Morrissey
Executive Director
 

City streamlines permitting process New Bedford is making its permitting process faster and more efficient in order to expand and attract businesses New Bedford Economic Development Council Cumbersome permitting processes frequently delay or permanently halt development projects. States and municipalities throughout the nation have taken measures to lessen the impediments that have long constrained development. In Massachusetts, an Act Relative to Streamlining and Expediting the Permitting Process was passed in 2006. To emphasize the importance of streamlining permitting in Massachusetts.  [read more]   Experts: Opportunities abound for seafood exports to Europe New Bedford Economic Development Council Export specialists urged New Bedford seafood suppliers to capitalize on the demand in European markets for products such as live lobster, squid, scallops and mackerel. During a November 2 seminar held at the New Bedford Economic Development Council, over 50 participants learned about seafood export opportunities as well as the complex regulatory requirements and other challenges involved in sending U.S. seafood overseas. The event was sponsored by the Massachusetts Export Center and Food Export USA-Northeast.  [read more]    Vectrix expands, relocates NB operations NEW BEDFORD — Vectrix Corporation, maker of the world's first high performance, two-wheel zero emission vehicle ZEV, will begin working out of its new location this week in New Bedford Business Park. Anticipating what managing director of marketing Jeff Morrill describes as explosive growth in the "green transportation" industry, Vectrix Corp. has moved into a 65,000-square-foot facility at 55 Samuel Barnet Boulevard.   [read more]    City retains 300 jobs in South End New ownership of Michael Bianco to maintain and later expand current workforce at New Bedford factory NEW BEDFORD, Mass., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Eagle Industries of St. Louis, Missouri, today announced its purchase of the Michael Bianco manufacturing facility in New Bedford effective today. Eagle will be drawing on the skills of the current workforce at the Michael Bianco facility and transitioning the 300 current employees over to the new ownership to begin immediate work on military backpack and vest systems used to carry necessary soldier equipment required by the Army.   [read more]    NBEDC, business community and higher education leaders help City search for superintendent of schools New Bedford Economic Development Council Business owners and educators gathered at the New Bedford Economic Development Council office to participate in the search process for the next Superintendent of New Bedford Schools. Hosted by business owner Nelson Hocker-Lotz, NBEDC president Tony Sapienza, and executive director Matthew A. Morrissey, the Business and Higher Education focus group, one of nine community based meetings held city wide, was facilitated by Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Freddie Fuentes.   [read more]