New Bedford Profile

Greater New Bedford is an area of superlatives - tastiest seafood, the best waterways and the friendliest people. Here, the quality of life and the variety of cultural, economic, geographic and educational advantages provide a progressive atmosphere, rich in heritage and opportunity. The area's proximity to metropolitan areas like Boston and Providence, and the communities of Cape Cod and the Islands, make this one of the most desirable areas in which to live, work and play. Bordered by the Atlantic, this area has a long and rich history, a history rich in its cosmopolitan nature, still simple in its traditional New England values.

The Greater New Bedford area is comprised of ten communities, each of which adds a distinct flavor to the composite whole. From the metropolitan nature of New Bedford to the rural atmosphere of Rochester, each of these communities contributes to the rich appeal held by the area as a whole. Established as a separate township in 1787, the city of New Bedford enjoyed the reputation of the Whaling Capital of the World during the last century. The transition from whaling to fishing was a smooth one, making the working waterfront a continuous and vital part of the local economy. Today, the New Bedford and Fairhaven harbors are home base for the largest fishing fleet on the East Coast and the number one revenue-producing port in the nation.

The city is a well-balanced mix of old and new. Sensitive to the important role it played in the nation's history, New Bedford has retained much of its heritage through thoughtful restoration and preservation efforts. These efforts are seen in the cobblestone streets, period lighting, and carefully preserved whaling mansions in the Waterfront and Historic Districts. Through balanced industrial planning and placement, New Bedford has successfully met the challenges presented by progress without sacrificing its past.
With just over 12 miles of coastline and a natural deep water port, New Bedford's ties to the sea are forever locked in place. A fishing fleet of 350 vessels brought in catches worth the highest dollar value in the country; making New Bedford the number one fishing port in the nation.

Protected by a breakwater and hurricane gates, New Bedford's inner harbor provides a natural deep water channel that will accommodate vessels with up to 30 feet of draft. New Bedford also boasts a modern State Pier with storage capability and easy access to rail, highway and air transportation. Trucks leaving Greater New Bedford enter the Interstate Highway network within five minutes and are within an overnight drive from 35%A of our nation's population. Major cities such as Baltimore, Washington D.C., Albany NY, Philadelphia, Portland ME and New York City all lie within easy access of freight service, as evidenced by the large volumes of fresh seafood and locally manufactured goods from companies like Aerovox, Inc., Polaroid Corp., Calvin Clothing Corp. and Acushnet Company (maker of Titleist, Pinnacle, and FootJoy Golf Products) which are shipped out of New Bedford each day.

The New Bedford area provides future industrial endeavors with a well planned, solid infrastructure that will address their needs. Greater New Bedford is blessed with plentiful fresh water, a natural deep water port, a lucrative working waterfront, and one of the most technologically advanced airports in the state. Programs exist on the regional and local levels to assist companies in finding financial, human and facility resources. Available facilities range from renovated mills in urban settings to ready-to-develop land in rural and suburban industrial parks.

The New Bedford Industrial Park is a hugely successful industrial complex set in New Bedford's north end just minutes from the Municipal Airport.

One of the most technologically advanced airports in Massachusetts, New Bedford's Municipal Airport, features two 5,000 foot runways, a state-of the art manned tower, and is the training airport of choice for air-traffic controllers around the country. With scheduled service to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Islands, and charter service available to anywhere in the world, New Bedford's airport is receiving more recognition every year.

Area economic development agencies work together to complement traditional resources available to arriving and existing companies, focusing specifically on human resources. By coordinating efforts and cataloging resources such as Tax Exempt Industrial Bonds, free training programs and tax incentives for locally hired workers, local economic development agencies assure that both existing business and new companies alike receive the level of service they need to prosper in our area.

Opened in 1979 by the Wareham Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC), Wareham's Industrial Park began attracting business to its perfectly situated acres. The park affords easy access to Interstates 195 and 495. The park now has over 40 employers who employ over 500 people.

People are attracted to the opportunities of Southeastern Massachusetts. Good employees are grown here or come here. As a result, fine companies flourish here.
Considering the region's variety of attractions, lifestyles and natural assets, it is obvious why Greater New Bedford is a great place to live, work and play.