Town of Hudson
Economic Development Commission
Our Mission: to expand and strengthen Hudson's
economy by fostering business opportunity
within the community.
What We Do
The Economic Development Commission strives to foster a strong economic environment that supports businesses while nurturing commercial growth and new investment in the Town of Hudson. By working closely with businesses, developers and town government, the EDC works to retain, grow and attract new businesses and promote job creation in the community.
In addition to working with local businesses, the EDC acts as a liaison between town government and both existing and prospective businesses. One example of this relationship is the EDC's endorsement of Wal*Mart's expansion. This expansion will add an additional 22,000 SF to the already existing 116,000 SF store, and will subsequently create 100 new jobs. Another example is our support of the construction of a parking lot on Houghton Court that will allow the Hudson Mill Business Center located at 43 Broad Street to accommodate a tenant with 80 to 100 employees.
Economic Development and Transportation
The commission also lends its assistance to many town projects fostering economic growth and job creation. For instance, the EDC sponsored a public hearing for the Route 85/Washington Street roadway widening and reconstruction project. The reconstruction of this roadway will create a substantial amount of permanent jobs as access is improved to underutilized parcels that are well suited for development and/or expansion along this critical commercial corridor.
Secretary of Housing & Economic Development Greg Bialecki
tours the Route 85/Washington Street corridor.
The importance and high status of this road project brought two prominent officials to town in 2010: Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray and the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory Bialecki. Together with town officials, they toured the Route 85 corridor, as well as many other significant projects within and proud highlights of Hudson, such as the Houghton Street Bridge, our Downtown façade projects, Intel, the newly expanded Senior Center, The Assabet River Rail Trail, our 43D Expedited Permitting sites and the Broad Street and Tower Street mills.
L to R: Representative Kate Hogan, Senator Jamie Eldridge, Lt. Governor Tim Murray &
Community Development Director Michelle Ciccolo tour the Houghton Street Bridge.
Economic Development and the FY11 Community Development
Block Grant
The EDC is a positive supporter of the Town’s Block Grant applications. Projects funded through the state’s Community Development Block Grant are crucial to the Town’s revitalization strategy. In past applications, the Block Grant provided funding for such projects as Downtown Facades, the Senior Center Renovation, the Cellucci Splash Park & the reconstruction of the South Street Parking Lot. This year’s application requests funding to continue the Town’s Façade Program, reconstruct Houghton Court and implement a parking and traffic study for the Downtown.
These three projects are all critical to the community and will help to create a more economically viable urban area for Hudson. The Façade Program continues the process of enhancing areas of the Downtown and along Washington Street that have been sorely neglected or abandoned for many years. The reconstruction of Houghton Street is necessary to provide mobility for residents and employees with Cellucci Park, the Assabet River Rail Trail and the Downtown. The parking study will address the horrible vacancy problem that plagues our Downtown. With additional parking readily available, perhaps new businesses will be more inclined to rent in a traditional, historic storefront, rather than a new strip mall with a large parking lot out front.
Opened in 2010, the 7,495 SF historic 1850 building now boasts a 6,575 SF addition
complete with commercial kitchen, function hall, library, & game, media & craft rooms.
Notable Economic Developments 2010-2011
One of the most notable economic developments of 2010 was the opening of Highland Commons, an 800,000 SF retail shopping center. Lowe’s Home Improvement opened its 117,000 SF store on January 29, 2010. A typical store of this size represents an average investment in the community of approximately $18.5 million and creates up to 175 new jobs. Although a still-struggling economy forced a 220 room hotel to pull out of the development, the site was soon reconfigured to accommodate a 117,000 SF BJ’s Wholesale Club, complete with six dispenser gas station. Construction is currently underway for an unnamed grocery store, and pads are ready for four to six “midsize boxes”.
The opening of Highland Commons Shopping Center in January 2010 kick-started the year.
Other notable events in 2010 were the bank auctions of two major pieces of real estate: The building located at 63 – 67 Main Street and Curious Kids Daycare Center located at 2 Coolidge Street. With frontage along Route 62, 65 Main Street, a 10,132 SF building with 7 commercial units and 24 apartments, sold for $765,000. Also located along Route 62 at 2 Coolidge Street, the Curious Kids Daycare building is a 17,600 SF two-story office building, using the basement level as a parking garage.
63 - 67 Main Street hit the auction block on June 24, 2010.
Curious Kids Daycare located at 2 Coolidge Street was auctioned November 13, 2010.
Another major development was the sale of 2 Cabot Road. Located on an 18+ acre wooded campus, the 147,000 SF two-story office building sold in June 2010 for $3.875 million. The beautifully landscaped campus setting of the newly dubbed “Cabot Woods” allows employees to either do a nature walk or stroll to nearby amenities. Systems Maintenance Services, Inc., originally located at 455 River Road, has leased 13,500 SF of space, leaving an additional 110,000 SF available for lease.
2 Cabot Road, now known as Cabot Woods, sold for $3.875 million in June 2010.
Economic Development Downtown
According to a survey done in early 2010 for the Town by the Hudson Business Association (HBA) for the submission of the 2010 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), it was estimated that 32% of Downtown was vacant. This figure included vacant second and third floor office space, as well as first floor storefronts.
But throughout the past year, we have seen at least a dozen shops open within the Downtown area, as well as many second and third floor office space leasings.
Assabet River Bicycles & Giggi's Bridal Boutique have filled the storefronts at 45 Main Street.
New businesses include: Assabet River Bicycles, Elite Hair Studio, Giggi’s Bridal Boutique, Hair Divine, Dragonflies Boutique, Rising Sun Martial Arts and Cage Rage Gear, Hudson Roast Beef and Wing, XL HR, and Geek Boutique. Another major leasing is located in the Hastings Building, located at 45 Main Street. Omni Presence, formerly located in Marlboro, is leasing nearly 6,400 SF on the 3rd floor.
81-83 Main Street remained vacant...
...until Dragonflies Boutique & Hair Divine both opened in 2010.
December saw the opening of Railroad Avenue, a significant solution to the ongoing parking problem Downtown. Connecting Church Street with Pope Street, this one-way road adds an additional 35 public parking spaces Downtown. These spaces allow merchants and employees to park off of Main Street and open up more customer parking directly in front of businesses.
Railroad Avenue opened on December 2, 2010, adding 35 parking spaces downtown.
Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce
In conjunction with the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce, the EDC periodically co-sponsors educational programs that assist local businesses and further facilitate economic development.
By co-sponsoring programs such as the yearly Legislative Breakfast or business resource programs like the ABC’s of Business Development, the Commission serves as both an information source and advocate for businesses operating in or seeking to operate in town.
How We Can Help
A wide variety of programs and legislation are available in both the public & private sectors to help your business succeed in our community, whether yours is an established business or a start-up venture.
And if you're new to the area, we'll be glad to help you navigate the options available!
Please see "Additional Links" above for more information on the following topics:
- Economic Development Resources
- Overviews of State programs, incentives & tax credits
- New legislation, reforms & developments
Although financial uncertainty continues, the EDC maintains its commitment to encourage and assist our business community whenever possible.
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