The Hingham Select Board has chosen Camoin Associates, an economic development consultant, to provide technical assistance and develop strategies to assist the Town with its development of an Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP) that will encourage economic growth, attract private investment and enhance fiscal sustainability.
The Town is seeking to maximize opportunities in its Priority Development Site (PDS) located in Hingham’s South Shore Park. The PDS is a designated area under Chapter 43D that offers communities the opportunity for targeted economic development. Hingham’s proposal to expand the size of the PDS was approved by the Interagency Permitting Board, which is part of the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Economic Development. The newly enlarged PDS has immediate access to Route 3 and consists of 340 acres, including 150 undeveloped acres. As part of the designation under Chapter 43D, developers will receive coordinated and expedited local permitting with decisions issued within 180 days.
“The Commonwealth’s expanded PDS designation highlights Hingham’s commitment to supporting investment and growth,” noted Hingham Select Board Chair Joseph Fisher. “Supporting our Master Plan’s call for attracting nonresidential development to increase tax revenue, we are eager to help existing businesses grow and to attract new businesses to our Town. The Strategic Plan will help us achieve economic growth in a manner that respects Hingham’s historic character.”
Through its EDSP process, Hingham will define its competitive position, identify relevant post-pandemic business growth opportunities, and develop implementation plans to advance business investment in South Hingham, the Hingham Shipyard/Route 3A area, and Hingham Square. Town officials will seek community involvement and will work in close collaboration with the Town of Rockland. Camoin Associates will support Hingham’s development activities, providing economic research, ensuring all stakeholders are heard, and building implementation plans that identify potential zoning changes and infrastructure improvements. The EDSP is expected to be available in late fall of 2024
“The EDSP is vital to helping Hingham determine how to compete to attract private investment, provide suitable public infrastructure, and bring talent and growth to our community,” said Town Administrator Tom Mayo. “If we are clear about what we want Hingham’s economic future to be, we will succeed in attracting partners – private enterprise and the state - to join us in building new revenue streams.”
Hingham is also exploring access to the water capacity of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). In collaboration with six other South Shore towns, Hingham is studying the feasibility of bringing MWRA water to the region to support existing and future development and reduce pressure on local water resources. Study findings, expected to be available in late fall, will provide data needed to help the Town consider next steps in a long-term strategy.
In recent months, Hingham has taken a number of other steps to support business and investment, including:
- Allowing for breweries distilleries, and related activities in several commercial districts, to bring a new level of vitality to the Town
- Improving cell service by simplifying rules for small cell deployment, including the lease of Town-owned land to support the deployment of new infrastructure
- Raising the Town’s profile through membership in MassEcon, a statewide, non-profit alliance that champions Massachusetts as the best place to start, grow or locate a business
- Adopting MassDevelopment’s Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, affording commercial property owners a long-term finance option for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
- Expanded its outreach efforts to include regular meetings with major property owners and the Hingham Downtown Association
- Redefining the Hingham Development and Industrial Commission (HDIC) mission to better support the Town’s economic development efforts.