Business Enterprise Zone Project

Since 2001, the EDC has worked in a collaborative partnership effort that has included the Planning Board, Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) and at various stages the consultant services of Ms. Jeanne Armstrong, Principal of the economic development planning firm Land Use, Inc., to analyze suitable town locations for potential economic development within a Business Enterprise Zone concept. This effort focuses on examining potential economic development-related re-zoning opportunities along portions of Route 20 and possibly elsewhere in Town. For the latest information on this ongoing economic development planning effort, please contact EDC Director Alan I. Gordon at 508-248-2237.

Development Permit Process Guidebook

The EDC has compiled a Development Permit Process Guidebook as a comprehensive guide to assist applicants in obtaining permits and licenses in the Town of Charlton. The Guidebook is updated annually every November, and has proven to be a very popular and useful information source for the local permitting process. The public may obtain copies of the Guidebook from the Planning Board Office, Building Commissioner's Office or Town Clerk's Office in the Town Building, 37 Main Street. The Planning Board Office also has a limited number of Guidebook copies available on CD Rom.

Economic Development Marketing Efforts

In accordance with the goals of the Economic Development Action Plan, the EDC promotes and markets economic development opportunities in Charlton by participating in area Business Expos. The EDC operates a booth each year at the New England Business Expo at the Worcester Centrum Centre. The booth has proven to be very successful, with Expo attendees learning about the existing economic base in Town, the ongoing Business Enterprise Zone planning project and ongoing development projects in Town.

The EDC will next operate its booth at the New England Business Expo at the Worcester Centrum Centre on Thursday, October 18, 2007. The New England Business Expo is one of the largest business expos in the country with up to 15,000 anticipated attendees and nearly 300 exhibitor booths. For more information on the New England Business Expo, contact EDC Director Alan I. Gordon at 508-248-2237.

Business Assistance

The EDC serves as the local government contact for Massachusetts state agencies that offer economic development funding and technical assistance to eligible existing local businesses planning to expand, as well as new business and site economic development proposals. Agency programs that the EDC can assist with include the following:

• Predevelopment Assistance Fund
• Brownfields Program Funding
• Bond Financing
• Industrial Park/Special Projects Funds
• Equipment Financing Program

• Quick Consults Program
• Site Selection Assistance

For further information and assistance with these economic development business assistance programs, please contact EDC Director Alan I. Gordon at 508-248-2237.