ECONOMIC IMPACT OF DEVENS, MA A study prepared by the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) with assistance from Mullin Associates, Inc. Funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Office of Performance Management and Oversight   1427R Water Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 www.mrpc.org

Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Project Overview MRPC received a grant on behalf of the region facilitated by Leominster and funded through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (EOHED) and its Office of Performance Management and Oversight (OPMP). The goal of the project was to analyze and report on information related to the Economic Impact of Devens on the Montachusett Region. Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction Twenty-two communities and Devens participated in the development of the Devens Impact Plan. The project was initiated in April 2016 and had to be completed on or before June 30, 2016.

Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies The Project Studied the following on a regional level with a focus on Devens: An analysis of the region’s housing. A general overview of Devens’ facilities and services. Economic development throughout the region and Devens including an assessment of the study area’s current economic base, a profile of employment and employers and businesses in Devens, and an outline of Devens Enterprise Commission’s permitting process. Existing land use, current development and attributes, Devens zoning and land use development methods. “Next Steps” that can be taken to enhance the region and Devens in regards to all of the above related sections. Transportation/ circulation data as it relates to Devens and the region. Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction Growth in housing units is comparable to rate of population growth (12.6% HU vs. 13.2% pop) Vacant units include for sale, for rent, seasonal, and foreclosed/abandoned properties

Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Public Involvement The stakeholders were provided three opportunities to meet with the MRPC and its consulting team (Mullin Associates, Inc.) and participate in an interactive dialogue. The first meeting was held at Great Wolf Lodge, Fitchburg on May 19, 2016 with 37 attendees where background information and the project scope were presented and breakout groups discussed and presented thoughts and ideas on the study. The second meeting was held at Red Apple Farm, Phillipston on June 8, 2016 with 32 attendees to update stakeholders on what had been learned to date - additional input sought from stakeholders was obtained and utilized in this report by MRPC. The third meeting was held at Ayer Town Hall on June 23, 2016 with 37 attendees where highlights of this report and draft “Next Steps” were discussed. Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction

Some Demographics The Montachusett Region’s population is aging, consistent with the state and nation. In 2010, the Montachusett Region was 2.3 years older than the state average and 4.2 years more than the national average. Devens likely has a lower average age of residents than the region, state, and nation. The 2010 Census shows that within Devens, a lower percentage of households had individual(s) 65 years old than the Montachusett Region, Massachusetts, and the Nation, and; Devens has a higher percentage of households with individuals under 18 than the Montachusett Region, Massachusetts, and the Nation. Census data pertaining to individuals in Devens includes the prison population and was not included in this report but household data does not include prison population. The Harvard Master Plan indicates that Devens residents in the Harvard portion of Devens tend to be younger.

Housing According to the Warren Group, Harvard and Groton continue to lead the region in average sales price surpassing $400,000. Devens has the third highest median sales price in the region at $310,380. Recent information from Devens Enterprise Commission indicates that existing single and multi-family housing consist of 140 units. There are 124 approved new housing units in Devens (Emerson Green), none having been completed yet, but build-out of this project will approach the 282 housing limit. In Devens, about 18.57% of the housing stock is subsidized. There are also 124 units of approved new housing in Devens, none of which has been completed yet. Once this new housing is completed, Devens will have a total of 264 units of housing, with 54 low and moderate income restricted units comprising about 21% of the housing stock. In 2015, Harvard, Ayer and Shirley approved a re-zoning in Shirley’s portion of Devens to allow a 120-unit Senior Residential Development which is outside of the 282 unit cap. However, the housing cap could conceivably be revisited at some time in the future. In terms of the special needs populations served in Devens, there are 14 units of veterans housing (included in the 282 units housing cap under Devens by-Laws) and 13 units for homeless women’s shelter which is not included in the housing cap. Factoring in the special needs housing, Devens has about 26% affordable housing (for the purposes of meeting the Reuse Plan Goal of 25%).

Transportation Weekday traffic volumes at all Devens Gates have increased by 11% since 2010. Grant Road Gate has seen the largest increase of 39%. On a daily basis, the distribution of traffic throughout the gates (which are used to access Devens) has remained constant, with Jackson at 47%, Barnum at 20%, Verbeck at 19%, Grant at 8%, and Shirley at 6%. The Year 1996 traffic volume was 3,578 and the 2015 traffic volume was 13,420. The change in traffic volume between 1996 and 2015 was 8,842 which is a 247% increase. The average commuting time (one way) for a resident of the Montachusett Region (31.4 minutes) was higher than both the State (28.3 minutes) and National (25.7 minutes) averages. Mean travel time to work for Devens residents was 21.1 minutes suggesting that a proportion of Devens residents work in Devens.

Economic Development and Taxes According to the American Community Survey 2010-2014 5-Year Estimate, region’s median household income ($74,797) is lower than Devens ($97,222) and more than the state ($67,846). Region’s median family income ($89,006) is also above the state rate of $86,132 but lower than Devens ($98,355). Taxes in Devens have a split rate system, so that residential buildings are charged a different rate than commercial/industrial users. Devens 2016 average single-family home tax bill ($4,878) is slightly below the average of nearby communities, calculated at $4,995. The state average in 2016 was of $5,419. Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction

Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Land Use The communities that have the most land developed as commercial are Ayer (182.92 acres at 3.62%), Leominster (566.25 acres at 2.98), Fitchburg (468.42 acres at 2.60%), Clinton (103.31 acres at 2.22%), and Gardner (206.09 acres at 1.40%). MassGIS Land Use (2005). The communities with the greatest amount of developed Industrial land are Devens (233.06 acres at 5.21%), Ayer (224.12 acres at 4.44 %), Clinton (142.27 acres at 3.06%), Leominster (557.25 acres at 2.93%), and Gardner (278.39 acres at 1.89%). MassGIS Land Use (2005). Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction

Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Next Steps “Next Steps” that can be taken to enhance the region and Devens: Continue the non-compete policy of Devens in which the chambers and public officials are alerted of the potential move of a company to Devens. Ensure that the region gains economic value from a company moving to Devens. Establish procedures by which meetings between incoming companies and regional realtors and merchants can occur. Establish a joint purchasing system between Devens and the Region’s communities. Establish means and methods for the Region to meet the “last mile” shortcoming concerning Broadband. Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction

Next Steps (Continued) Study means and methods to replicate Devens including expanding “Expedited Permitting”. Request the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) to provide technical assistance through its District Local Technical Assistance Program (DLTA) on expanding alternative energy investments on a regional basis (solar, waste, wind). Undertake a study of how the Region, working with MassDevelopment, can jointly develop a demolition program. Continue to build on the image of Devens as an “Open Community” via festivals, sporting events, and pop-up markets. De-mystify Devens on a regular basis (companies coming and going, taxes gained and lost, jobs gained or lost). Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction

Next Steps (Continued) 11. Work with Montachusett Area Regional Transit (MART) and MRPC on Transportation Related Issues. 12. Conduct a survey to determine the locations of employees working in Devens by zip code. To promote economic development while enhancing the quality of life throughout the Montachusett Region, community/regional recommendations include: 13. Review current zoning bylaws/ordinances and determine their adequacy for accommodating desired land use and development within the community. Land Management, Stewardship & Outreach Using Web Mapping Technologies Introduction

14. Prepare a retail market study to identify potential business. 15. Seek funding to conduct a region-wide industrial lands inventory/analysis and develop a region-wide open space and recreation plan. 16. Ensure that Housing Opportunities are Available for a Broad Range of Income Levels and Household Types. 17. Proactively work to foster the redevelopment of “brownfields”