Amherst aims to be 'catalyst' on research park

By Scott Merzbeck

06/17/2008- Daily Hampshire Gazette

AMHERST - If Amherst increases its tax base by 10 percent over the next decade, a planned industrial research park on land off

The Select Board anticipates several discussions about economic development in coming months. Town Manager Larry Shaffer is already briefing the board on how town officials can expand the tax base.

The possible development on 40 acres of land owned by the Patterson family has become a key strategy.

This land, already zoned as a professional research park, is what Shaffer considers the best site for large corporate research and development. He is in negotiations with the Pattersons to obtain an option to lease the land, which would give the town the right to sub-lease the property for a large-scale development.

"We are pretty close, though we have no agreement yet," Shaffer said.

This option will come before the Select Board and then Town Meeting, which would have to appropriate the money, likely over three years.

Though the land extends to

Costs of infrastructure to the site, which could be as high as $12 million, will largely depend on the type of businesses locate there. Shaffer has said this would could be paid for from a variety of sources.

Because the project is contingent on Town Meeting approval, it is possible any development there will fall through, But if this happens, Shaffer said he understands the town will have to look at other areas for economic development.

Board member Alisa Brewer said the town should try to make this project successful, as it is supported in the master plan.

Shaffer said the town can be a catalyst, "but in some ways it can't be the leader."

Shaffer discussed some of the work he has done in recent months, including forming partnerships and liaisons with the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College and Hampshire College by meeting with former UMass Chancellor John Lombardi and Amherst College President Tony Marx.

"Their vested interest is certainly in seeing this succeed," Shaffer said.

The town's total assessed value, at just over $2 billion, has only been growing at 1 ½ percent annually. This, coupled with the 2½ increase allowed under Proposition 2½, means the town only sees a 4 percent increase in revenue annually. Shaffer would like to see this at 5 percent, to at least preserve existing services in town.

In addition to the research park, Shaffer said he is using a four-pronged economic development method, including trying to identify projects with the greatest opportunities, targeting zoning efforts to enhance the business climate, preparing a job description for the economic development director and working with the private sector to make Amherst a place to grow and develop their businesses.

For instance, with SunEthanol, a company creating biofuel through a process involving plant-eating bacteria, looking to expand its operations, Shaffer said he is talking to the firm frequently and has provided two proposals to the company to remain in Amherst.

Select Board Vice Chairwoman Stephanie O'Keeffe said a more full-scale discussion of economic development will be scheduled later this year.