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Policy Actions:
 

  • Create a “Norfolk 6 Small Business Accelerator Fund

  • Expand:

    • Microloans ($5K–$50K)

    • Grants for minority & immigrant entrepreneurs

  • Partner with:

    • Chambers of Commerce

    • Local banks & credit unions
       

Why it matters:
 

  • Small businesses = fastest job creators

  • Supports people like local barbers, restaurants, childcare providers

     

  • Commercial Development & Tax Relief Strategy

  • Problem:

  • Overdependence on residential taxes 

  • Solution:

  • Incentivize:

  • Office parks

  • Light manufacturing

  • Life sciences / biotech spillover from Boston

     

  • Tools:

  • Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

  • Fast-track permitting

  • Zoning modernization

  • Priority Zones:

  • Transit-adjacent areas (Canton/Stoughton rail access)

  • Underutilized retail corridors

    “Bring jobs here so residents pay less.”

Transit-Oriented Economic Development (TOD)
Focus:

  • Build around commuter rail access

Strategy:

  • Mixed-use developments:

    • Housing + retail + offices

  • Attract:

    • Remote workers

    • Startups leaving Boston

Outcome:

  • Higher foot traffic

  • Revitalized downtowns

  • Workforce Development & Job Pipeline

  • Programs:

  • Partner with:

  • Community colleges

  • Trade unions

  • Create pipelines for:

  • Healthcare

  • Construction trades

  • Tech support roles

  • Add:

  • Paid apprenticeships

  • Youth job programs

  • “Train local residents for local jobs.”

Smart Housing = Economic Growth
Why it matters:

  • Businesses won’t come if workers can’t afford to live here

Plan:

  • Support:

    • Workforce housing

    • Mixed-income developments

  • Use inclusionary zoning (already used in Norfolk County towns) 

Result:

  • Stabilizes workforce

  • Supports local spending


  • Infrastructure & Downtown Revitalization

  • Invest in:

  • Roads & traffic flow

  • Water/sewer capacity (critical for development)

  • Public spaces

  • Use funding:

  • Federal ARPA funds already used regionally for:

  • Infrastructure

  • business support

  • Add:

  • Beautification grants for small

  • Infrastructure & Downtown Revitalization

  • Invest in:

  • Roads & traffic flow

  • Water/sewer capacity (critical for development)

  • Public spaces

  • Use funding:

  • Federal ARPA funds already used regionally for:

  • Infrastructure

  • business support

  • Add:

  • Beautification grants for small business districts


  • business districts

Innovation & Digital Economy Strategy
Create:

  • “Norfolk 6 Innovation Corridor”

Focus on:

  • Remote work hubs

  • Co-working spaces

  • Digital entrepreneurs

Bonus:

  • Expand broadband access

  • Support tech startups leaving Boston

     

  • ⚖️ 8. Equity & Inclusive Economic Growth

  • Commitments:

  • Minority-owned business support

  • Women & immigrant entrepreneurs

  • Fair access to capital

  • Aligns with:

  • County focus on equitable outcomes in economic
     

  • Tourism, Culture & Local Identity

  • Opportunities:

  • Cultural festivals

  • Food + Caribbean/African/immigrant business promotion

  • Local arts economy

  • Impact:

  • Drives foot traffic

  • Builds community pride

  • programs

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