Presented to the attendees of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade & Investment's international economic development tour of Massachusetts. An overview of the redevelopment of Devens, formerly Fort Devens.
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Devens Then & Now: A Model of Army Base Reuse
1. Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment
International Economic Development Tour of Massachusetts
2. MassDevelopment: Who we are
• Massachusetts’ finance and development
authority
– 175 employees in 12 regional offices
• Provide financial and technical assistance to
foster business growth across Massachusetts
• MassDevelopment’s work:
– Real estate development and consultation
– Lending Department: Industrial development
bonds and loans
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3. MassDevelopment Finance
• MassDevelopment issues bonds to:
– Manufacturers
– Affordable rental housing projects
– Nonprofits
• MassDevelopment issues loans for:
– Real estate acquisition and improvements
– Equipment purchases
– Emerging technology development
– Other special purpose businesses
– Brownfield cleanups
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4. Sample of Finance Products
Bond Program:
• Tax Exempt Bonds
• Tax Exempt Letters of Credit
• Mortgage Insurance Guarantees
Loan Program:
• Real Estate loans up to $5 million
• TechDollars: 100% loan for tech. equipment
• Seafood processing loans
• Export loans: 100% loan for businesses involved in
international trade
Kelly Arvidson: VP, Business Development
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6. Fort Devens
• From 1917 to 1996 a 10,000 acre Army base
• Base closed in 1996: 7,000 jobs lost (2,900
civilian jobs) with an annual payroll of $178
million
• MassDevelopment asked to manage Devens’
redevelopment planning and conversion from
Army base to mixed use community
• Reuse Plan balances economic sustainability
with social and environmental needs
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7. Devens Redevelopment
• MassDevelopment owns 4,400 acres, 2,300 available
commercial development and 2,100 acres preserved
as open space
• Devens’ designation as a State Economic Target
Area, Federal Enterprise Zone, and Foreign Trade
Zone create economic incentive opportunities
• Devens has a supportive business environment: full-
time staff assistance, new utility infrastructure, fast
track permitting, and financing assistance for many
development projects
• Targeted industries include: energy technology,
biotech, medical device, defense technology. Sectors
expected to lead Massachusetts’ future economic
growth
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8. Devens Unified Fast Track Permitting
• Devens development regulations guided by Reuse Plan principles
• Devens pre-permitted for state environmental permits
• Staff ensures proposed projects are consistent with Reuse Plan
• One local Commission issues all permits via a single application
• A through review and vote is guaranteed within 75 days
• Devens has become a model for statewide permitting reform which
includes Gateway cities
Company Project size Application Date of Permit
submitted Decision Issued
Evergreen Solar 475,000 SF 7/5/07 8/14/07 41 days
American 380,000 SF 6/8/00 7/25/00 49 days
Superconductor
Bristol-Myers Squibb 1,500,000 SF 9/6/06 10/25/06 49 days
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9. Why Choose Devens
– Lower business costs
– Large land sites with full utility infrastructure
– On site training
– Center for industry clusters
– Diversity of skilled workforce
– Region is a manufacturing stronghold
– Business amenities: golf, restaurants, hotels, etc…
– Lower living costs
– Wide range of housing opportunities
– Excellent local schools and Parker Charter School
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10. Devens Smart Growth Principles
• Greater development densities to reduce land
consumption and preserve open space
• Adoption of innovative technologies
• Development located on brownfield sites
• Green construction methods for energy and
material cost savings
• Housing designed to meet a diverse
population: from affordable starter to
executive
• Public transportation availability
• Pedestrian friendly
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11. Where Devens is Today
• $2.2 billion public/private investment
– 6.75 million SF of permitted new development
• 75+ businesses have located at Devens
– Johnson Mathey, Netstal, Anheuser Busch InBev, Bristol-
Myers Squibb, Proctor & Gamble/Gillette, Kraft Foods,
American Superconductor, Evergreen Solar
• Job creation exceeds civilian job loss (2,900) when
base closed
– More then 3,500 jobs generating $220 million annual payroll
• Better paying jobs
– Devens average of $51,279 versus MA average of $48,916
and U.S. average of $39,354
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