Town of Norwood

To summarize our initial mandate from the Selectmen as outlined in the EDC document dated August 20, 2002, our mission is as follows:

• To develop a long term vision to maintain/improve the town's commercial tax rate now and in the future.
• To encourage industries that are compatable with the evolving economy primarily knowledge based industries that will create well paying jobs, many of which will be filled by Norwood residents.
• To make economic decisions while considering 'quality of life' issues regarding residents of the Town.

The Economic Development Committee has the following appointed officials:

Stephen P. Costello
Mike Gallerani
John Moynihan
Scott P. Murphy
William J. Plasko, Chairman
Alan Slater
Thomas J. Wynne

Click here for the Planning Department.

About Norwood, MA

History

The earliest European settlers of what eventually became the Town of Norwood arrived from Dedham in the late 17th century.  The attraction was the swift moving Neponset River in present day South Norwood near the East Walpole line.  For the next two centuries, the Neponset River was the driving force for the Town's development.  What was originally known as the second parish of Dedham, Norwood became a town of Norfolk County on February 13, 1872. 

In the present day, major corporations have found Norwood's proximity to Boston and access to major east coast population centers to be attractive for business.  The Town is now considered one of the more important manufacturing, suburban-residential, and wholesale and retail trade centers south of Boston.

Geography

Norwood is located in Eastern Massachusetts, bordered by Westwood on the north, Canton on the east, Sharon on the south, and Walpole on the west.  Norwood is 14 miles south of Boston; 15 miiles north of Brockton; 30 miles north of Providence, RI; and 205 miles from New York City.

Norwood is home to 28,746 full-time residents and encompasses 10.55 sq. miles, of which, 10.48 sq. miles are land.

Transportation

Norwood is situation in the Greater Boston Area, which has excellent rail, air, and highway facilities.  Routes 128 and 495 divide the region into inner and outer zones, which are connected by numerous "spokes" providing direct access to the airport, port, and intermodal facilities of Boston.

Highways - Principal highways are Rts. 95, 1 and State Route 1A, which all run between the inner and outer belts circling Boston, Rt. 128 and Rt. 495 respectively.

Rail - Commuter rail service is available to Back Bay Station and South Station in Boston from Windosr Gardens, Norwood Central and Norwood Depot.  Amtrak's passenger service between Boston and New York City stops at the Route 128 Station in nearby Westwood.

Bus - Norwood is a member of the Massachusetts Bay Tranportation Authority (MBTA), which provides fixed route service between Walpole and the Forest Hills Orange Line Station. 

Other - The Norwood Memorial Airport, a Reliever Airport, has two asphalt runways and is an important center of corporate aviation for the greater metropolitan Boston region. 

Business Incentives

Chapter 43D - Vanderbilt Expedited Permitting District

Chapter 43D provides for a transparent and efficient process for municipal permitting.  Local permitting decision on priority development sites are guaranteed within 180 days.  This tool increases the visibility of the community and target development sites.

Benefits -

The Town receives many benefits under Chapter 43D including:

• Grants up to $60,000 for such things as professional staffing assistance, local government reorganization, and consulting services.
• Priority consideration for PWED, CDAG, brownfields remediation assistance, MORE infrastructure funds, and other financing through quasi-public organizations.
• Aggressive online marketing of the site and promotion of the pro-business regulatory climate.
  Collection of special fees for priority development site permit applications. 

Business Links

Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce

MassDevelopment

Massachusetts Office of Business Development

The Norwood Economic Development Committee is pleased to present the Norwood Business Guide.  The EDC's mission is to attract business to Norwood and this guide presents all the the good reasons and incentives to locate your business here.

Click here for your copy of Norwood Business Guide 

Norwood on Film

Norwood on Film Disclaimer

This site contains links to other websites which are not under the Town's control, therefore  the Town of Norwood accepts no responsibility for the content of such websites, nor does the Town vouch for or recommend any website to which a link may appear on this website.  Users should take whatever precautions they believe appropriate in terms of data security and other considerations when visiting any website.

Agendas

Minutes