Feds award $20 million for New Bedford rail project
High-speed commuter rail option eyed

By Charis Anderson
NEW BEDFORD — The state has been awarded $20 million in federal grant money to reconstruct three freight rail bridges that are a critical part of the infrastructure needed for the South Coast Rail Project, federal officials announced Wednesday.

“This is not just $20 million, although that's important,” said U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. “This is the declaration by the federal government that commuter rail between Fall River, New Bedford and the surrounding... [read more]

  A commercial marine expo moves from Providence to New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — A major marine trade show will be coming to the city in June, bringing thousands of visitors and potentially generating more than $1 million in economic activity, according to city and event officials.

The Commercial Marine Expo, formerly named the Fish Expo Atlantic, will be held June 9-10 at State Pier, a change in venue from years past when the event was held in Providence.

"It provides a much more economical venue for people to exhibit and attend the show," said Ted Hugger, the show director. "But more importantly, it also gives us a waterfront location."... [read more]

 AHA! Awarded $32,000 from Mass. Cultural Council

The AHA! Night 2nd Thursday free Arts and Culture Program in downtown New Bedford has been awarded $32,000 from the Mass. Cultural Council Adams Program for the fifth consecutive year of funding.

AHA! (art history architecture), a fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, is one of 27 programs statewide that will receive a total of $700,000 in MCC grants to stimulate new economic activity, create jobs, and revitalize communities through arts and cultural projects.

“The MCC is a tremendous partner with the City of New Bedford,” said Mayor Scott W. Lang. “They have been extremely supportive in their joint... [read more]

  New Bedford zoning board approves special permit for Cliftex conversion

The Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday unanimously approved a special permit for a multimillion-dollar proposal to transform the Cliftex 1 mill building into rental apartments.

"This is going to be an overall improvement, and it's also going to preserve a mill that was slated for demolition," said Christopher Saunders, the lawyer representing the project before the board.

The project, which is located at 194 Riverside Ave., needed a special permit as it sits within the Riverside Avenue Mill Overlay District; it also needed a special permit to reduce the number of parking spaces... [read more]

  New Bedford's Walega named HUD New England Regional Director

BOSTON — Richard A. Walega — who took over Feb. 1 as head of the New Bedford Housing Authority — has been named HUD's new New England Regional Director.

In announcing Walega as President Barack Obama's choice for the post, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan said this morning Walega will oversee the six-state region which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

“Richard Walega's commitment to and knowledge of affordable housing will make him a valuable addition to our senior management team,” said Donovan in a press release. “The residents of New England will benefit... [read more]

  Art exhibit balances local contemporary work and city’s historic perspective

The New Bedford Art Museum announces the opening of the first “New Bedford Invitational: From Swain to Today”, a biennial exhibition that provides a view of the contemporary art community in New Bedford while offering a historical perspective of the influence of the Swain School of Design.

The show runs from March 10 to May 22, 2010 and is sponsored by UMass Dartmouth College of Visual and Performing Arts and the New Bedford Economic Development Council. 

Artists invited to show are all currently residing, working or exhibiting in New Bedford. The exhibition includes a number of works by Swain School Painters, both faculty... [read more]
 

  Panel of seasoned entrepreneurs support business startups through informal discussions

MassChallenge is offering a “Startup Unpanel” that will give startup entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to discuss directly with a number of seasoned entrepreneurs in three 20 minute sessions among groups of no more than ten other startups. The format replaces the traditional panel format and gives participants an opportunity to chat with all the panelists and other attendees.

The event takes place Wednesday, March 3, 2010 4:30 - 8:00 pm at the Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Center, 151 Martine Street, Fall River, MA. To register visit http://unpanel2.eventbrite.com/

According to the MassChallenge website, the ... [read more]