October 1, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
The creation of an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the town is underway, with a focus on Hingham Square/Harbor, the Hingham Shipyard/Route 3A corridor, and South Hingham.
“This is an effort to diversify the town’s tax base, which is currently about 90 percent residential,” Asst. Town Administrator for Operations Art Robert said at this week’s select board meeting.
The underlying foundation is the town master plan’s goals of honoring town character and supporting a vibrant and resilient economy; the work of the sustainable budget task force; and the select board’s Fiscal 2025 goal of promoting economic development.
The town is working with Camoin Associates in collaboration with Discover Hingham (Hingham Downtown Association), the town of Rockland, and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce to develop the plan, with the final report expected in December.
Each of the three areas will require different approaches,” Robert said. “We’re looking to find the right path forward for each — economic development while protecting the town’s character.”
Engaging with residents and businesses
This is a good opportunity for the town to work with a consultant “and to engage with residents and the business community to make the best use of available data and to take advantage of the ability to conduct one-on-one interviews [with business owners] and to present options for the community to consider for each of the three districts,” Robert said. “In December, there will be roadmaps for each district to help us plot a path forward.”
Funding sources for the $75,000 study come from Hingham American Rescue Plan Act money, the town of Rockland, and private partnerships.
Rockland’s participation will ensure a shared approach to development in that neighboring town, in the Route 228 area, and in Hingham’s nearby South Shore Park.
“This is truly a collaborative effort,” Robert said.
A site visit involving in-person business meetings and corridor tours is scheduled for Oct. 2, with another site visit to be announced at a later date as well as further public meetings providing the opportunity for citizens to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns.
Feedback from businesses will also be taken into consideration following in-depth interviews. “The business piece is important,” he said.
Oct. 28 open house
The first Economic Development Open House is planned for Monday, Oct 28, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at South Elementary School, 831 Main St. “This will be an opportunity for residents to stop by as their schedules permit to engage individually or in small groups with the consultant team and town staff, followed by an online survey,” Robert said.
Supporting local enterprises and attracting new ones as well as “non-residential and mixed-use development to desired locations” are among the master plan’s goals, while the sustainable budget task force noted that while over the long-term, the town’s expenses are growing faster than revenue, “economic development offers, over the long term, high potential new revenue impact.”
In an update to the select board this week, Robert explained how the increased ability to work remotely following the pandemic and the accompanying reduced demand for office space, among other considerations, are affecting the town’s economic development landscape.
In conjunction with economic development, the town plans to focus its efforts on targeted business development, including attracting new investment, well-paying jobs, and long-term tax revenue in order to “protect Hingham’s high quality of life.”
Defining Hingham’s competitive position
The overall goal is to define Hingham’s competitive position and identify realistic opportunities for commercial districts, and to implement plans to attract new investment while also addressing the town’s zoning bylaws and other regulations, infrastructure needs, and development of a marketing strategy.
“This is a serious commitment on behalf of the town,” Select Board Chair Joseph Fisher said.
The town will use a number of methods, including social media, to get the word out to citizens, businesses, and all interested parties about the Oct. 28 and other upcoming meetings.
Another public outreach session is planned for November, with the details to be announced at a later date.
“We encourage all residents to attend these meetings and to participate in the survey,” Robert said.
Select board member William Ramsey is excited about the effort. “It’s something our board has talked about from time to time, and it’s great to see this moving forward,” he said.
After referring to the recent operational override and the expectation of more to come, Town Administrator Tom Mayo emphasized the importance of public awareness that “in order to maintain the level of services that citizens are accustomed to and enjoy, we have to find new revenue,” he said. “The best option is increased commercial growth and appropriate residential growth as needed.”
Robert will provide regular progress reports and updates to the board.
“This is not an immediate solution,” Fisher noted. “It will take time and legwork to make it happen.”