In Billerica, the focus is simple: set goals, invest thoughtfully and deliver results. It is a simple equation that continues to take the community to the next level. And when it comes to doing business, the process is open, streamlined, and welcoming to those who can see themselves calling the idyllic New England town home. With a rich history and an even brighter future, Billerica is doing its part to bring more opportunities, services, and amenities to the town of over 42,000.

Actionable leadership, smart investments
Growth in Billerica has been the result of promises kept, and one of the most significant promises was the new high school, which has been a beacon of development thanks to the town’s ability to ideate, execute, and deliver on projects in accordance with its Master Plan.

The $176 million Billerica Memorial High School was completed in 2019 and has since established a reputation for both its academic performance and design excellence, receiving several awards including the AIA 2022 Architecture Award and IIDA New England’s 2020 Best in Show and Education Award.

“The project came in on time and on budget, which has given some faith to the community and allowed for more future investment in the community with such a successful major project. That was managed well and executed well, which has allowed us to do numerous other projects since then,” says Building Commissioner Mark LaLumiere.

Among those projects is a new fire station in South Billerica with another to follow in North Billerica. Currently in the design development stage, construction is slated for the spring and will see an additional $11 million invested in the community. The town has also redeveloped the site of the former Vining School building into a new 23,000-square-foot Recreation Center; is in the process of constructing a new 70,000-square-foot Department of Public Works facility, which will centralize all of its services on one campus; and has upgraded its Town Hall.

Town Hall upgrades included new windows and roofing, a state-of-the-art HVAC system, and updated technology to facilitate virtual and hybrid meetings and provide a better home for leadership and residents to convene. The work preserves a building that was built in 1905 and represents the town’s history to this day.

A community in development
Projects like these exemplify the town’s development approach, which is forward-thinking, actionable, and in accordance with the Master Plan, which will soon be reevaluated in the wake of completed projects and promises delivered.

“The Planning Board and Master Planning Steering Committee are just starting to get back together now to update it because they’ve accomplished so much. It’s time to review what’s been done and start the process of setting the direction for the next years to come,” explains Interim Town Manager Christopher Dillon.

A significant part of the Master Plan entailed a greater focus on mixed-use developments, which have become a major success story for the rebranded Shops at Billerica, a mixed-use development that is breathing new life into the local mall with a combination of updated retail and residential offerings, including a 200-unit residential complex. Another mixed-use development, Concord Shores, is underway, offering 20 apartments overlooking the Concord River with restaurant, brewery, and other retail space on the ground level.

“That’s something that came out of the Master Plan,” LaLumiere says. “The town has also revised and applied an overlay district of more mixed-use along the Boston Road to try and spur some better and higher uses and community activities.” Better and higher uses in this case are transit-oriented, mixed-use neighborhoods that balance residential, commercial, and retail amenities and services.

“One of the things that came out of the Master Plan is the mixed-use approach: live, work, play [in one place],” LaLumiere shares. “Prior to these two projects that are currently under construction, there were no areas like that, so the challenge was getting it implemented, getting projects permitted, and getting them started. And now, the biggest challenge is getting them finished and operational.”

Likewise, streetscape improvements along the town’s main corridor, Boston Road, also known as State Route 3A, are another part of the Master Plan that will create a cohesive approach to development that doesn’t compromise the quality of life enjoyed by residents, but rather, elevates it.

Route 3A, a local business road, runs parallel to the larger state highway, Route 3. “Along Route 3, which is the main highway in our town, we have many industrial parks,” explains Katherine Malgieri, Director of Planning and Community Development. “That’s where we see vacancies caused by the recent pandemic, such as the large offices or employment centers. I know Billerica isn’t alone in trying to repurpose these sites to meet the new economic needs, and what many of our sites have done is get shovel-ready and pre-permitted for new advanced manufacturing businesses, which are integral to the Massachusetts economy. And we are looking at what else we can do to help fill those vacancies as well.”

While hundreds of thousands of square feet have been filled in the town’s industrial parks, there is still room to grow; the challenge then becomes finding the right match, as the market demands are currently for smaller leasable spaces than when the large buildings were first designed. Biotech, for instance, was experiencing a boom in Billerica and across Massachusetts for the last several years, but demand has shifted and the newer technologies require far smaller footprints than traditional manufacturers. This bodes well as these industries take occupancy in spaces that were left in the work-from-home exodus initiated by the pandemic.

“We’re part of this region between Boston and Worcester, south of Manchester, New Hampshire, where there is a lot of advanced technology,” Malgieri says. “It was life sciences for a while, and now there are emerging technologies in robotics, AI, energy, and advanced materials, and there’s so much research and development that goes with that.”

Luckily, the nearby University of Massachusetts (UMass) at Lowell, a leading national research university, Middlesex Community College, and Shawsheen Valley Technical High School supply quality talent to support the town’s diverse knowledge economy. “We’re really right in the center of this triangle of those three big cities, so we’re perfectly located for those or any of the supporting industries and businesses that help those larger techs as well,” says Malgieri.

She explains that Billerica receives support from organizations like the Middlesex 3 Coalition, Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, a regional planning agency, and the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, all of which work together to advance the collective interests of the region.

A plan forward
With a Master Plan and Site Plan Review in the pipeline, Billerica is showing no signs of slowing its development pace, which seems comfortable and manageable in a way that balances the need for development and the quality of life residents enjoy. From efforts to update housing stock to establishing the infrastructure necessary to support and elevate the community, there is room to grow and the willingness and knowhow to do so.

“We’ve also adopted zoning where, in transit-oriented locations, we are now allowing for the possibility of more housing developments,” Malgieri shares. “And additional zoning is under review this fall which will incentivize and attract more businesses to our town.”

LaLumiere tells us that, “The town has also made a huge investment in community recreation, adding and redoing baseball fields and adding lights so you can play at night. We’ve rehabbed and added all new park equipment to Kohlrausch Park, which needed some love. And we’re starting another project at the Dixon School, which was an old school that was turned into a community park, which will house our Farmers Market, which is number one in the state.”

Looking ahead, there will certainly be even more engagement, collaboration, and momentum to come—all moving the Town of Billerica forward as city leadership does its part to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves in accordance with the future vision of this lively and dynamic community.

The post Where Promises Made Are Promises Delivered<p class="company">Town of Billerica, Massachusetts</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Chosen as one of America’s 100 Best Places to Live by Money Magazine in 2012, Peabody has aged like a fine wine. It was also awarded number 14 among Forbes’ Most Livable Cities in 2009, a legacy it has diligently built on since. These days, the city is favored by people of all ages as a quality, affordable alternative to more expensive areas across the country.

Peabody is proud of its strengths—safety, a thriving economy, quality education, and affordability. “We offer great municipal services while being one of the most affordable cities in all of Massachusetts in terms of our tax levy and our average tax bill,” says Chris Ryder, Chief of Staff and Business Liaison.

And it’s not only young families and single professionals who find it a great place to settle. Peabody is also ideal for seniors looking for a city where they are welcomed and accommodated in style. Part of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities since 2017, the city is committed to promoting healthy and active aging and enhancing the quality of life for older residents.

The Peter A. Torigian Senior Center is a hub for thousands of older residents and has long been the envy of the entire North Shore region. From transportation to meals to social services to an Adult Day Health Center, the senior center and its dedicated staff and volunteers are a big part of what makes Peabody so special.

Peabody is rich in commercial resources with much space for growth, including busy State Routes 1 and 114, both of which have grown into dynamic business centers humming with activity and potential. The city’s largest employer and taxpayer, the Northshore Mall, features more than 150 specialty stores alongside fitness and entertainment facilities and a wide range of dining options. As part of its latest redevelopment upgrades, the mall has an outdoor dining zone, the Promenade, which is immensely popular with locals and visitors who enjoy al fresco dining.

Indeed, the city’s restaurant scene is as lively as the community itself, reflecting the origins of its many residents. From Greek, Spanish, and Italian to Mexican, Korean, and Thai, there are enough cuisines on offer here to keep even the most adventurous diners entertained.

Peabody has a long history as a commercial hub, having once been known as “Leather City,” and was among the world’s largest producers of this valuable commodity. The leather industry’s roots were grafted onto the foundations built by local Indigenous peoples, who had originally identified that local streams and tributaries feeding into the Ipswich, Danvers, and Waters Rivers were ideal for working leather. They were already practicing the craft when European settlers arrived, and by the late 18^th century, the newcomers had established their own operations.

Today, the city’s commercial base is notably diverse, even as its industrial and corporate landscape has evolved significantly. Centennial Park, the “North Shore’s most accessible business park,” just 17 miles from Logan International Airport and the City of Boston, has become an economic powerhouse and a most sought-after addresses for international and local tech giants and others in need of corporate office space. The 307-acre development dates back to the 1980s when the Peabody Community Development Authority developed a business park nestled in abundant natural space. The result was a development ahead of its time that continues to thrive four decades later.

Another aspect of Peabody’s popularity is the area’s medical sector. The city’s proximity to Boston translates into outstanding healthcare in Peabody itself and in its nearby metropole. Some of the many outstanding facilities include Boston Children’s Hospital Peabody; the award-winning North Shore Medical Center; Spaulding Outpatient Center Peabody; Lahey Medical Center; and other respected facilities that form part of the local medical offering.

Moreover, the city’s ratepayers own their electricity through the Peabody Municipal Light Plant, which is operated independently, driving development. “Our electricity rates are extremely affordable here, and again, our average tax bill for homeowners is among the lowest in the region and among the lowest in the state,” Ryder adds. “Both residential and commercial developers are incentivized to build here because they know they’re going to have a robust market.”

The construction review process is one way in which the city eases permitting demands while keeping standards high. Developers can meet with department heads of each relevant office— Building, Public Safety, Health, and others—to present their plans and receive real-time guidance directly from the top to improve and accelerate design and permitting. “People find this service to be invaluable because it tends to make the subsequent permitting process go much smoother; they’ve had their questions answered, and any concerns the department heads have are brought to the forefront,” Ryder explains.

Peabody also takes good care of the less fortunate in the community. With the help of what Ryder refers to as the city’s “fantastic partners,” organizations like Haven from Hunger help provide food security while Citizens Inn offers transitional housing for single mothers in need who are navigating trying times and big changes in their lives.

According to Ryder, the City of Peabody owes much of its success to its visionary mayor, Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr., who has led the revitalization of the city’s Main Street, its downtown, many of its schools, physical infrastructure, and much more. “Mayor Bettencourt leveraged grant money to make Main Street safer for pedestrians and traffic, slowed things down, and invested in infrastructure to attract investment,” Ryder says, highlighting the initiative’s success. By slowing down traffic and building these areas up, new businesses arrived, returning these legacy areas to their former bustling selves, complete with the North Shore Children’s Museum and the Black Box community theater.

The improvements keep coming, with a new Public Safety headquarters scheduled to open next fall. Bringing together the Peabody Police Department, the Peabody Fire Department, and emergency services, this single footprint will serve as the administrative center of all these offices, complete with next-generation facilities to support these services in a modern context. The facility is being built next to the J. Henry Higgins Middle School, the largest of its kind in the area. “The Mayor is very excited about that new public safety building,” Ryder says. With an already below-average crime rate, the new facility bodes well for the city’s future peace and safety.

Mayor Bettencourt is also driving the construction of the new Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. In addition to preparatory programs, the school will also run additional vocational programs. And of course, Peabody’s access to tertiary institutions is top-notch. With Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston College, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, and others right on its doorstep, locals are spoiled for choice when it comes to higher education.

Considering the high cost of modern-day living, however, Mayor Bettencourt’s administration deems making free, affordable, and easily accessible recreation available for families and the elderly a priority. To this end, the Christmas season is punctuated by a full orchestra playing seasonal music in City Hall, tree lighting, and other fun events for the community to partake in. When it comes to public recreation, Peabody has no fewer than 31 parks, playgrounds, and athletic facilities where everyone has free access to well-tended outdoor space.

There are also the popular free concerts on Sunday nights in the summer, where locals gather for good music. The municipality also owns two farms that are open to the public for different activities, such as an annual free lunch for seniors to mingle with the Mayor and city officials at the beautiful Brooksby Farm, known for its luscious orchards, vegetable and flower gardens, apple cider, Christmas trees, wagon rides, and much more. Tillie’s Farm is another haven where locals can buy sustainably grown fresh produce and indulge in fresh air and wholesome goodness to their hearts’ content.

The 18-hole Meadow Municipal Golf Course has served the community for the past 25 years and is recognized as one of the best of its kind. There is also the James O’Keefe Memorial Skating Rink and the Independence Greenway, affectionately known among locals as the bike path, connecting Northshore Mall with the Ipswich River trail. The Greenway has improvements scheduled for next year, which will see the addition of two more trails.

Beyond hiking, cycling, attending public events, and other fun activities, the city is also proud of its famous local festival. The Peabody International Festival, which celebrates the area’s rich ethnic diversity, is a 40-year-old festival featuring a host of cultural events that reflect traditions from countries including Armenia, Italy, Germany, and many other nations. Here, visitors can find everything from folk dancing and food to music, art, and connection among Americans who are proud to share their ancestral heritage with their community and visitors.

True to its past, Peabody’s future is one of continued hospitality, progress, and diversity. “We’d like to see the city continue on its current path of being a place that is welcoming to everyone—the elderly, young families, young professionals just starting out,” says Ryder. With such a rich palette of cultures and flavors to create a city from, it is no surprise that Peabody is a masterpiece of outstanding civic management and close-knit community care.

The post Nobody Does It Quite Like Peabody<p class="company">City of Peabody, Massachusetts</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

What started as the revitalization of key properties has evolved into a comprehensive movement promoting inclusive growth, cultural vibrancy, and economic renewal. At the core of this story is a decade of steady progress driven by Carbone’s vision, where Torrington’s proud heritage continues to embrace a bold future. Today, with the ongoing efforts of the city’s leaders, Torrington stands as a model of how purposeful leadership can transform a community from within.

Once known mainly for its manufacturing strength, Torrington has spent the last decade transforming itself under Mayor Carbone’s leadership—integrating strategic redevelopment, inclusive housing, cultural investment, and innovative planning into a unified approach. That foundation now guides the city’s next chapter. Building on the momentum she created, William Wallach, the Director of Economic Development, is helping steer Torrington toward a future grounded in opportunity, renewal, and community pride.

“Each of these projects tells a story of where Torrington has been and where it’s headed,” Wallach explains. “We’re not just redeveloping properties; we’re renewing neighborhoods, reconnecting community assets, and preparing for the next generation of growth.”

Torrington’s transformation isn’t confined to aesthetics or infrastructure. It’s a comprehensive evolution, one grounded in listening, learning, and acting in alignment with community values. Under Wallach’s leadership, the city has embraced a development model centered on purpose and partnership.

One of Torrington’s most prominent efforts is the redevelopment of several key brownfield and former industrial sites. These underutilized properties are being reimagined through an environmental and economic lens, unlocking opportunities that reflect both the city’s industrial past and its aspirations for the future. At 70 North Street, a long-vacant commercial lot in the heart of downtown is undergoing environmental cleanup to make way for a mixed-use development. Its prime location, just steps from the Warner Theatre, Five Points Gallery, and local restaurants, means the site is uniquely positioned to anchor the city’s walkable urban core.

“It’s about more than cleaning up soil or putting up new walls,” Wallach says. “It’s about activating downtown, adding housing and retail, and bringing people together.”

Across town, 535 Migeon Avenue, once a bustling manufacturing facility, is being reimagined to accommodate new light industrial and business tenants. The redevelopment aligns with Torrington’s economic strategy to create jobs in future-forward sectors while honoring its industrial legacy. By bringing new energy to a historically significant property, the city is both preserving its roots and preparing for modern workforce demands.

And at 100 Franklin Drive, a former brownfield site near residential neighborhoods and shopping areas, Torrington has partnered with the New Colony Development Corporation and certified Connecticut Brownfield Land Bank to secure funding and technical expertise for environmental assessment and reuse. This project exemplifies how smart remediation, when paired with regional collaboration, can turn a liability into an asset.

“Torrington isn’t redeveloping for the sake of appearances,” Wallach emphasizes. “We’re doing it to open doors, literally and figuratively for residents, workers, and businesses.” These projects are part of a broader planning strategy that spans years of coordinated effort between city departments, regional organizations, and state agencies. “None of this happens overnight,” he explains. “What we’re seeing now is the result of patient, data-driven planning and a commitment to getting things right, not just fast.”

Torrington’s success lies in its approach. Rather than chasing short-term wins, city leaders have embraced a holistic development strategy. This means evaluating projects not only on economic merit but also on their potential to contribute to quality of life, cultural vibrancy, and long-term resilience. This intentionality is embedded in the city’s planning documents and economic development goals, wherein public engagement, environmental impact, and alignment with community needs are all key considerations for breaking ground on any new development.

The city is also making smart use of state and federal grant opportunities. From brownfield assessment funds to infrastructure investment, Torrington has positioned itself to capitalize on resources that support sustainable growth. By leveraging these opportunities, officials are able to move complex projects forward without placing undue burden on taxpayers.

“Our planning isn’t just happening in an office; it’s happening in collaboration with the people who live and work here,” Wallach shares. “That feedback loop is essential. Residents want to see action, but they also want to know that we’re listening.”

As investment pours into the physical infrastructure of Torrington, the benefits are being felt across the community. Residents and newcomers alike are drawn to the city’s affordability, accessibility, and authenticity. Unlike other Connecticut communities facing rising housing costs and overdevelopment, Torrington offers a balanced and welcoming alternative. Housing in Torrington remains relatively attainable, with a mix of historic homes, suburban neighborhoods, and emerging developments. This diversity allows for generational stability; young professionals can start families here and older residents can downsize without leaving the community they’ve known for decades.

Just as important is the city’s strong sense of place. It’s a walkable community where small businesses thrive, neighbors know one another, and the pace of life feels both energized and manageable. Schools are supported, civic organizations are active, and the surrounding natural beauty, from the Litchfield Hills to nearby state parks, adds to the city’s charm. “We’re seeing more and more people choose Torrington not just because it’s affordable, but because it offers real quality of life,” Wallach says. “They’re looking for a place that feels rooted, where their kids can walk to school or a park, where there’s a real sense of community. We provide that.”

Indeed, culture is not an afterthought in Torrington; it’s a driving force, as the second Cultural District recognized by the State of Connecticut in 2022. The city has long been home to creative institutions that set it apart from other mid-sized towns. The Warner Theatre, a beautifully restored 1931 Art Deco landmark, anchors the downtown arts scene and hosts performances ranging from Broadway productions to independent concerts and local events.

Nearby, Five Points Gallery and the Five Points Arts Center offer exhibitions and programming that attract artists and audiences from across the region. These institutions are more than just venues; they’re engines of community connection and economic vitality. Art walks, open studios, and gallery nights bring life to the streets, while education programs ensure the next generation of creatives is nurtured. “Arts and culture are more than just add-ons; they’re central to who we are,” Wallach affirms. Torrington’s cultural calendar is filled with programming that celebrates both tradition and innovation, offering something for longtime residents and newcomers alike.

This commitment is paying off, and Torrington has cultivated a cultural reputation that continues to grow, inviting tourists, residents, and business owners to engage with a city that values creativity and community. It also influences the city’s planning process, as developers and city officials work together to preserve cultural landmarks and integrate public art into infrastructure and design.

The convergence of redevelopment, housing stability, and cultural investment points toward a bright future for Torrington. But for Wallach and the city’s leadership team, success is defined not by splashy headlines, but by the day-to-day improvements that make life better for residents. This includes small but meaningful upgrades like improving crosswalks for pedestrian safety, investing in green spaces, modernizing infrastructure, and supporting workforce training programs. The city’s partnership with the Northwest Hills Council of Governments is one example of how collaboration can turn regional challenges into shared opportunities. Torrington’s efforts in this regard not only improve the built environment but strengthen the regional economy.

The city is also nurturing a startup-friendly ecosystem that welcomes entrepreneurs and local businesses. With available commercial space, business support services, and a community eager to shop locally, Torrington has become a viable home base for new ventures. Its location, centrally positioned between Hartford, Waterbury, and the Berkshires, adds to its appeal for remote workers and small companies looking for quality of life without sacrificing opportunity.

Torrington’s revitalization, not only physical, but also cultural and economic, is deeply personal for those who call the city home. Residents are increasingly recognizing the value of living in a place where redevelopment projects are tied to thoughtful planning and genuine community benefit. “There’s a pride here in how we’re evolving,” Wallach tells us. “It’s not about making Torrington into something it’s not. It’s about becoming more of what we already are: authentic, accessible, and ambitious.”

That authenticity is one of the city’s greatest strengths. Unlike many communities that face the pressures of rapid gentrification, Torrington has chosen a path of inclusive growth. Housing remains relatively affordable even as demand increases, and the city’s leaders are committed to maintaining a balance between residential expansion and neighborhood character. Local artists and entrepreneurs are empowered by a city that values creativity as much as commerce, and that support radiates outward into schools, public spaces, and civic events.

It is a reciprocal relationship in which Torrington’s ability to adapt stems from the dedication of its residents. Whether lifelong locals or newcomers discovering the city’s charm for the first time, there’s a shared sense of possibility. “People who grew up here still carry the scars of industrial loss,” Wallach acknowledges. “But those moving here from outside see Torrington with fresh eyes. They recognize its beauty, its potential, and they bring an infectious optimism with them.” It’s a dynamic that fuels reinvestment and renewal. From new retail and dining offerings to annual festivals and car shows, Torrington continues to make space for tradition and transformation.

Leadership has fueled Torrington’s resurgence. As Mayor Elinor Carbone wraps up her 12-year tenure this fall, her vision and perseverance remain the common thread throughout every achievement. “Everything we’ve talked about—redevelopment, housing, arts, workforce—it’s all thanks to Mayor Carbone’s leadership and her ability to bring in the right people with the passion to follow through.”

Torrington’s path forward is guided not just by plans but by purpose, a clear, collective vision to build a resilient and welcoming city for all. Through consistent leadership, regional cooperation, and a fierce commitment to community values, Torrington is proving what is possible when economic development is undertaken thoughtfully. It’s a city grounded in its past but with its eyes firmly on the future, where redevelopment isn’t just a change in the skyline, but a reflection of the values that make a community thrive.

The post Blending Heritage with Vision<p class="company">City of Torrington, Connecticut</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Although notorious for the witch trials of 1692, when 25 people died after being accused of witchcraft, there’s far more to Salem’s rich and remarkable history, including the first confrontation between the Red Coats and American colonists in 1775’s Salem Gunpowder Raid. “We’re proud to have been the site of that first act of resistance to British rule, and also the official birthplace of the National Guard,” says Mayor Pangallo.

As a harbor city, Salem also played a significant role in the commercial growth of the young nation. “The great age of sail was a significant time in our history, and people still visit Salem to learn about that,” says the Mayor. “In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Salem’s ships traveled the world trading goods, making us the wealthiest city per capita in America at the time, and also the home of America’s first millionaire, Elias Hasket Derby.”

From the historic House of the Seven Gables to the Peabody Essex Museum, America’s oldest continuously operating museum and a landmark institution for arts and culture, to Salem Maritime National Historic Site on the waterfront and a walkable downtown, Salem is a charming and eccentric city boasting an intriguing history and a strong connection to the sea. “It defines the character of our community,” Mayor Pangallo says. “We have a population of 45,000 people, but we welcome about four million visitors from around the world each year. It’s easy to get around and a great place to live, work, study in, or visit.”

Making housing a priority
As in most areas of the country, housing affordability is a challenge in Salem, and the city is working to get ahead of it, finding solutions to better meet demand and avoid prices outpacing the ability of its residents to afford to stay in Salem and raise their families. “[High housing prices] change the character of our community, which has historically been a place of great diversity and a working community,” says Mayor Pangallo.

The nonprofit organization, MassINC, completed a study last year finding that Salem needs to produce around 2,200 new housing units in the coming decade to overcome the current shortage while maintaining a reasonable vacancy rate and keeping up with projected population growth. “We’ve done it before, and I’m confident we can do it again,” the Mayor says, adding that there are a number of exciting projects under construction. “It’s achievable.”

The Exchange is one apartment complex that will provide 115 mixed-income units, to be built on what is currently a municipal parking lot next to the train station. “What’s especially exciting is not just the construction of housing units; it’s that the developers are also doing historic preservation and reuse of two vacant 19^th-century courthouses across the street.” These iconic buildings are located at the gateway between the train station and downtown. “To have those restored and put back into active use is very exciting, and it’s possible because of The Exchange,” says Mayor Pangallo.

Lore, a 250-unit project being built on land near Salem State University, will have twice as many units offered at the affordability threshold, which is 60 percent of AMI (area median income), as ordinances require. The Schools projects are made possible by the North Shore Community Development Coalition (CDC), a key partner with the city. “They’re reusing two former Catholic school buildings to create 61 units of 100 percent affordable housing—one building for seniors and the other for artists.”

A third North Shore CDC project, El Centro, is at the intersection of the downtown and El Punto, Salem’s highest-density and lowest-income neighborhood, with numerous multifamily buildings. “It’s a very diverse population,” Mayor Pangallo says, “with a lot of people from the Dominican Republic and also growing populations from Venezuela and other countries. El Centro will have about 48 units of 100 percent affordable senior housing, but what’s especially exciting about that project is that it will include a new home for North Shore Community Health, our local community health center, and our first and only downtown urgent care facility.”

Forest River Residences, meanwhile, comprises 475 units, with 100 of those dedicated to seniors with affordability levels down to 30 percent of AMI. This is also a project that’s not just repurposing part of the Salem State University campus but is adjacent to one of the area’s largest conservation areas. It will include public trail improvements and new access points into the wetlands.

Last but not least is a partnership between Lifebridge North Shore, a homeless shelter operating in Salem, and a nonprofit housing developer, Harborlight Homes, working together to upgrade the shelter from its current 50 congregate beds to 70 non-congregate beds and add an improved day center facility for the unhoused in the community. Next door to the shelter, a new supportive housing building will replace an existing 12-unit single-room occupancy structure, with 53 studio apartments for formerly unhoused individuals.

“The idea is that folks moving out of the shelter site may be able to get stability in the supportive housing facility, and from there move on through additional opportunities for stability in housing,” says Mayor Pangallo. “It’s exciting work, but it’s taken a lot to get here. We’re also doing a lot in the world of policy to meet our community’s need for housing.”

This includes adopting an inclusionary housing ordinance and working to adopt Smart Growth zoning districts. “We have an ordinance pending right now to remove our arbitrary, nearly 60-year-old parking minimum mandate for multifamily housing to allow for projects to not have unused parking taking up space that could otherwise be available for housing. We’re not geographically large—only eight square miles—and multifamily housing is only allowed on less than one square mile of our city. To have land being used for unnecessary parking lots is extremely frustrating and problematic.”

A host of other policy changes include changing surplus property disposition ordinances so that when the city gets rid of property, it’s able to prioritize affordable housing to make space, land, and buildings available.

“It’s ongoing and important work,” says Mayor Pangallo. “It’s probably some of the most important work we do. We have a Housing Stability Coordinator in the Mayor’s Office who’s exclusively dedicated to helping vulnerable residents in crisis, while at the same time bridging the subsidy tools and the zoning tools we have to try to fix housing supply and make sure it meets our demand,” he explains.

He says the city strives to ensure it not only adds housing but does so in a way that prioritizes transit and trail-centered development, reducing the need to have a car. This means access to the ferry to Boston and commuter train station, with plans to build a second train station that will unlock additional areas for transit-oriented growth.

Always something to celebrate
Viewed as the “Halloween capital of America,” Salem is particularly busy in October, welcoming just over a million people in the month alone. “When you’re a city of 45,000 people, to welcome a million folks over a month in a very historic and walkable—but also compact—downtown takes a lot of planning,” says the Mayor.

Another big event is the city’s 400^th birthday in 2026, which will feature a number of special events, parades, and festivals, as well as an opportunity to make substantial investments in the amenities on which the community relies. These include the Signature Parks Project, with more than $16 million invested in improvements to the city’s six busiest parks and public spaces in order to ensure they will remain vibrant and accessible for future generations.

The year 2026 will also see a community vote concerning the advancement of one of the largest public building projects in the city’s history: a much-needed, brand new high school.

Other exciting projects on the way include three new hotels, courthouse restorations, and, at the waterfront, the Friendship of Salem, a tall ship that has recently returned from long-term repairs and is being welcomed back for the 400^th.

Looking to the sea—and to the future
Along the water, the city has welcomed a new public fishing pier at Salem Willows Park, opened earlier this year; a new ferry terminal building for service to Boston; and a transformational project for the waterfront on 42 acres of empty land following the demolition of one of the dirtiest coal-fired power plants in America. Underway for the last five years, the latter project is “transforming the area into a heavy-lift deepwater port that will help create jobs, grow our tax base, and reactivate it as part of our working waterfront,” Mayor Pangallo says. “It will also support the clean energy economy, whose intention was initially to be used for offshore wind marshaling for turbines. It will be able to serve a variety of purposes for maritime use.”

Such projects are all about embracing the past while looking to the future. “Throughout our history, we’ve looked to the sea and to what’s possible on its horizon. That’s very much true today,” says the Mayor. “Salem has more diverse offerings for restaurants and shops than typically seen in a city of this size, and our connections to our history, including our Indigenous history, to the great age of sail, to our revolutionary history, and to historic architecture and literature, are all profoundly unique and very much characterize the spirit and the built environment of our city today,” he says.

“Salem is truly a unique city. We have the spirit and offerings of a large city, but the affordability and neighborliness of a smaller town. It’s a great mix, and it’s always been that way. I grew up in this city, and I’ve seen that my entire life. Generations of Americans and those hoping to become Americans have found a place in Salem and transformed this famous gateway city into a place where, instead of turning on our neighbors, as happened here in 1692, we turn toward them and lift each other up,” says Mayor Pangallo. “And we’re proud of that.”

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True to its name, New England Foundation Company (NEFCO) Geotechnical Contractors is rooted in the very market it serves. Drawing on deep technical expertise and decades of regional experience, the company is uniquely positioned to navigate the area’s distinct climate, soil conditions, and construction challenges, delivering reliable solutions that build confidence from the ground up.

As President Deirdre O’Neill explains, “Outside maybe a 15 or 20 mile radius from Boston, you commonly have glacial till or rock close to the surface, and shallow footings bearing directly on those competent materials can support a reasonably large building. Once you come into the basin of Boston, ground conditions completely change. And then on top of that, you can be confronted with environmental issues and the potential cost of removing contaminated soil, et cetera.” This is why having a geotechnical engineer/contractor like O’Neill involved in projects to help optimize the foundation selection can be so critical.

NEFCO’s multi-generational expertise is second to none. A lean and focused operation, the company is large enough that it has the capacity to take on projects of grand scale, size, and complexity—and this team, with its highly skilled and dedicated field crews, is always up for a challenge.

Building a reputation
New England Foundation Company has been serving the region as a drilling company for more than a hundred years, but it was in 1985 when Eric O’Neill took over that the company flourished, thanks to his unmatched reputation as an engineer and his pioneering ability to introduce new ideas and applications to advance the deep foundation construction industry.

At 60 years of age, Eric O’Neill jumped in with two feet. From going to Italy to acquire a custom-designed, low-headroom rig that enabled drilling underneath the highway, to the design and manufacture of more agile pressure injected footings (PIF) rigs, he substantially broadened the scope of NEFCO’s products, vastly enhancing the potential solutions to foundation problems. Prior to and after acquiring NEFCO, Eric had been on the frontlines of effecting change in the way work was done in the region, a legacy that is upheld to this day by his daughter Deirdre, the rest of the NEFCO team, and, more recently, his son Brian.

“He had such enthusiasm for doing the work that nothing about the whole situation daunted him at all,” says Deirdre. “He just powered forth. He figured out the design, he figured out the equipment, he figured out the people, and he made the world move because he saw what was coming at the time with the Big Dig [in Boston]. He saw that we needed to grow to get to the size where we could actually get involved at that level.”

One job at a time, completing them on time and on (or below) budget, often working with congested, sometimes precarious, site logistics, with the foremost commitment to safety, quality, and service, NEFCO’s reputation continued to grow, as did its portfolio and reputation—which enabled it to secure high-profile jobs, just as Eric O’Neill intended.

Piling it on
When it comes to respecting project construction schedules, NEFCO Geotechnical Contractors brings energy, equipment, and technical expertise, which is why its portfolio is full of high-profile projects such as the seating expansion project at Fenway Park’s famed Green Monster. Home to the Boston Red Sox, this was a drilled micro pile (DMP) project that pushed the limits, bending time as it were, to meet a hard deadline.

NEFCO field crews worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week with three drill rigs to get the job done in an extremely short timeline, during less than ideal, frigid temperatures and weather—especially for a water-based operation—but they got the job done ahead of schedule.

“They decided on the final design somewhere at the end of January, beginning of February, and it had to be ready for opening day (early April), which meant the DMP needed to be complete in four weeks to give time for construction of the rest of the structure,” Deirdre recalls. “That was the dark side of Fenway. After 10 o’clock in the morning you were in shadow from the Green Monster, and the wind would just tear up the place. It was cold and that’s a water-based operation; there was water and then ice everywhere. It was a nightmare, but we got it done.”

The project entailed the installation of 140 drilled mini piles that supported 25 columns carrying the weight of the steel frame superstructure. “We got it done, and the NEFCO team, along with the other subcontractors involved in the construction, were also the first people to sit in the Green Monster seats. It was supposed to be the Mayor, but that opening day game got rained out so it was all ours the next day—it was awesome,” Deirdre shares.

One would think that iconic projects like these would be few and far between, but the reality is, NEFCO Geotechnical Contractors doesn’t back down from a challenge, which means it has some very impressive projects under its belt.

NEFCO applied its value engineering technical expertise to identify a secant pile wall as the optimal support of excavation solution to protect an existing, early-1900s, brick and masonry building. The project was on Martha’s Vineyard, which Deirdre jokes was “probably one of the closest projects that was somehow the farthest away,” given the lengths the team had to go to reach the work site. With a rented barge and a hope and a prayer, NEFCO got the 180,000-pound drill rig and a crane of equal weight to the project, drilled the secant piles and soldier piles, and installed the timber lagging, all of which prevented settlement of the old building on its sand dune while a new basement was dug right beside it. The old building is still standing but today is next to a brand new addition, owing to the team’s expertise and commitment to devising the best possible solution to meet the client’s needs.

As another example of the company’s value engineering capabilities, Deirdre tells us about a client who reached out for assistance because “they were in a situation where there was a certain budget and the cost of the building was substantially over that budget, so we came in, worked with the design team to understand the building loads and soil profile, and made a recommendation for a foundation using the PIF in an innovative way that, at the end of the day, was significantly less than the original cost of the foundation as previously designed.”

This unconventional solution got the job done within the owner’s budget and proved to be another instance where Deirdre’s expertise set the tone for the project. As Vice President Brian O’Neill explains, “Some of these contractors and owners just reach out to Deirdre directly now because they know that she’s going to come up with the best design at the lowest cost.”

“If you give me a call and tell me what the parameters are, I can work with your engineers to find out exactly what loads are being applied and where, match them with the ground conditions and specific aspects of construction, and verify that all the design team’s concerns are being addressed,” says Deirdre of the back-and-forth that ensues while she works to identify the best possible solution for the project conditions.

A legacy in action
Under the leadership of the O’Neill family, NEFCO Geotechnical Contractors has become a one-stop shop, equipped with the specialized knowledge of a variety of disciplines to design the optimal solution for any project’s complexities and specifications. With an array of products including Pressure Injected Footings (PIFs), drilled micro piles, drilled shafts of various sizes, belled caissons, soldier pile and lagging walls, secant pile walls, and more, the team at NEFCO can isolate what will address a client’s needs in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

Like their father before them, Brian credits his sister’s work ethic and the intimate role she plays on all projects. “She’s deeply involved in so many aspects of a particular job,” he says. “This enables a level of creativity that can oftentimes change the way the designers or the geotechnical engineers or the owner or her clients will look at a job; often, Deirdre and her experienced field personnel come up with a solution that is significantly different from what they had originally imagined they were going to do, and often that ends up being significantly cheaper.”

This depth of engineering knowledge and the ability of our dedicated, expert field crews to execute time and again regardless of “bad ground, bad weather, or bad luck,” is why NEFCO does “big work in a small, familial sort of way,” says Deirdre. “We roll with the punches,” she says, a sentiment that is echoed by Brian.

As such, the company has not only strengthened its reputation in the New England market; it has fostered the development of a culture of excellence, a culture of safety, and a culture of pride in a job well done and the legacy each project represents. Its performance speaks for itself.

The O’Neills tell us that when renewing their insurance this year, the agent said that they have never seen a company be claim-free for five years straight. This is because each year, the team is trained in rigging, fall protection, crane signaling, First Aid, CPR, and other safety efforts to ensure that this trend continues. “Our guys just do it the right way… just do it right and make safety the most important thing on a job site,” Deirdre says of NEFCO’s commitment to safety and quality.

Digging deep
The best indicator of success is demand, and that is certainly the case for NEFCO Geotechnical Contractors. The company is extremely busy, and for good reason. Speaking with Deirdre and Brian, you quickly get a sense that the expertise and experience across the board of NEFCO personnel is so deeply rooted that it is second nature.

Together with the rest of the NEFCO team, the O’Neills are working to not only grow the company but to advance the industry in terms of what is possible, believing that each project is an opportunity to level up. The company aims to elevate value engineering through enhancements and the utilization of foundation elements to not only support projects’ physical weight of but also their sustainability goals.

“I’d like to move forward on the use of foundation elements for sustainability initiatives like geothermal technologies, a whole different avenue that I would like us to focus on,” Deirdre tells us. “Every time I see a massive cast-in-place concrete thing going into the ground, I just think, ‘that could be equipped, connected to a system, and you could be getting some energy out of it.’ That’s the goal,” says Deirdre, who continues to tirelessly help clients get the very most out of their projects, spending less and achieving more through value engineering and the specialized expertise of NEFCO Geotechnical Contractors.

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