Seven Towns Look to Create Economic Target Area

The ETA is a designation given by the state that essentially attempts to lure businesses to the area with both state and local tax incentives. In order to receive the status, Stephanie Mercandetti, the regional municipal coordinator for Norfolk County, tells GlobeSt.com that towns need to demonstrate that they can collectively dedicate 200 acres for development of a regional technology center and that the acreage needs to be able to support a build out of at least three million sf of commercial and industrial space.

Mercandeti says that the seven towns interested in receiving the designation are Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, North Attleboro, Plainville and Wrentham in addition to Mansfield. A representative from Mansfield tells GlobeSt.com that the towns recently participated in a meeting with the state's Office of Business Development to learn more about the ETA.

Mark Resnick, Foxborough's town planner tells GlobeSt.com that his town has land available on Route 1 in Cabot Industrial Park that could be used in the regional technology center. "We're interested," he says. "If it's something that can benefit the community and attract businesses, we want to do it."

Mercandetti notes that the town are currently looking at the available parcels in their communities and coming up with an inventory. She adds the process of putting together the application for the designation is underway.