Our Services

Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is a key component of our work program. We get requests from communities for technical assistance continuously throughout the year. Our technical assistance projects range from one day charettes or workshops on focused issues to Economic Master Plans for the community. Faculty and students will be involved in most technical assistance projects. Examples include:

• Study of Potential Impacts of Schell Bridge Revitalization in Northfield, Massachusetts
• Planning Support to the UMass-Amherst Design Center in Springfield, Massachusetts
• Strathmore Mill Redevelopment Marketing Assistance
• Holyoke Green High-Speed Computing Center Feasibility Planning
• Feasibility Study for the Reuse of the UMass Gloucester Marine Station
• Ludlow Mills Revitalization Planning
• Downtown Development Plan for Southbridge, Massachusetts
  
• Strategic Plan for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council
  
• Economic Development Plan for Southampton
  
• Berkshire County CEDS
  
• North Attleboro Economic Organization Study
  
• An Assessment Assets and Liabilities in the Merrimack Valley Region
  
• Revitalization Plan for the Erving Mill
  
• Community Planning Charettes and Training Workshops

Applied Research
The Center Staff are constantly involved in timely, cutting edge, relevant, applied research. Some recent research projects include:

• Economic Analysis of the 495-MetroWest Partnership Region
• Place Attachment and Entrepreneurship in the Massachusetts Economy – UMASS President’s Creative Economy Initiative
• Innovation in Precision Manufacturing: New Technology to New Business--National Science Foundation, Partnerships for Innovation
• The Impact of Trees and Urban Green Space on Economic Vitality
• Sustainable Redevelopment Potential along the Connecticut River Communities
  
• Sustainable Redevelopment Potential along the Blackstone River Corridor
  
• Blackstone Valley Corridor Industrial Land Suitability Study
  
• The Economic Impact of the Telecommunications Industry in rural and/or distressed communities
  
• Economic Impact of Affordable Housing in Boston SMSA
  
• The Economic Viability of Medium Sized Harbor Communities

Board & Citizen Training
The Center will conduct workshops and charettes to educate economic development officials on trends in industrial and economic development when requested by local, regional or State agencies.