PEABODY — The city received a $75,000 grant from the state to help develop a plan for the future of the site currently occupied by Rousselot, which is set to shutter its operations by the end of 2023.
The city will undertake “extensive community outreach” and work with the landowner to develop a vision for the sprawling 45-acre property that “boosts the city’s tax base and creates responsible and appropriate development goals,” Mayor Ted Bettencourt’s office said in a statement. The community-outreach component of the process will include a kick-off meeting and workshop along with digital surveys and community-engagement activities, public review of draft study and plans, community input in defining redevelopment, and public input throughout the project.
“We are committed to developing a vision for the future of the property that has the support of the community,” Bettencourt said. “The grant money helps ensure that residents and business owners have a say in what comes next at Rousselot, and that the entire process is transparent.”
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities’ Community Planning Grant received by the city is part of the state’s Community One Stop for Growth Grant program, which awarded $164 million in total funding to 338 economic-development projects across 161 communities. In all, the state received 783 applications from 239 municipalities.
Gov. Maura Healey in a statement called the OneStop program a “vital economic development tool to spark growth, spur development and strengthen local economies” statewide.
“These funds will help make possible community-led projects that build vibrant downtowns and unlock economic potential in every region of Massachusetts, while creating new jobs, housing, and opportunity,” Healey said.
Lt. Gov Kim Driscoll added that building strong communities is essential to boosting economic development across the Commonwealth.
“The One Stop for Growth allows us to partner with cities and towns statewide to support their economic development goals while empowering them to pursue their vision for growth. We… can’t wait to see economic progress they help make possible in the years to come,” she said.
