Economic & Community Development

Welcome to the City of Taunton’s Office of Economic and Community Development.  A Gateway City within easy reach of Boston and Providence, Taunton is uniquely situated within the region for businesses that want access to either metropolitan area as well as New England as a whole. It offers unparalleled access to markets and transportation corridors, and has established partnerships at the local, state, and federal level to bring economic development resources within easy reach of investors, whether they are native or new to the City.

With a large and diverse workforce that can easily access Boston or Providence, plus established commercial clusters that include Myles Standish Industrial Park, healthcare, residential development, and minority-owned and small businesses, Taunton is the ideal location for doing business.  The OECD is ready to help you get established in our City.

Role of the OECD

OECD plans and implements the City’s economic development / revitalization goals and community development and affordable housing initiatives and services.  OECD is responsible for the administration of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Planning and Development Programs, specifically Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and The HOME Program as well as State and non-profit grants and their projects.

Economic Development

OECD provides a range of support in promoting Economic Development opportunities and addressing needs of existing businesses such as:

•    Business Advocacy

•    Business Attraction and Retention

•    Sign and Façade program

•    Rent Rebate Program

•    Commercial District Revitalization

•    Connecting Developers and Property Owners

•    Grants Researching / Writing

•    TIF’s

•    Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)

•    Infrastructure Improvements

•    Retail Development

•    Tracking Available Commercial Space

Community Development

OECD administers federal funds from HUD and redistributes them to local agencies which provide a variety of service to low and moderate income people.  

•    Elder outreach & case management

•    Youth Services

•    At risk youth summer programs

•    Child literacy programs

•    Housing legal services

•    Homeless programs

•    Down payment assistance

•    Housing rehabilitation

•    Affordable housing