Padanaram Harbor Economic Analysis

While the Town of Dartmouth and the South Coast region have a longstanding connection to the maritime economy, the Town lacks a comprehensive economic development strategy for the blue economy.

The experience of other communities across Massachusetts shows that evidence-based economic development efforts that build on existing strengths and assets are best suited to organize and position themselves for long-term success and prosperity. This evidence makes it clear that the Town of Dartmouth would benefit from the information and data the Harbor Economic Analysis can provide.

The project would:

• Create an economic development strategy that positions the Town to capitalize on new and emerging opportunities in the Blue Economy.
• Develop a workforce and demographic profile of the town, including demographics, labor market trends, and commuting patterns.
• Prepare a conceptual harbor economic development and fiscal maintenance strategy that contains recommendations for follow-on initiatives including local staffing resources, further detailed planning, and potential funding sources.
• Determine how sea level rise, catastrophic storm events, and other environmental concerns might affect municipal revenues.

The Harbor Economic study started in August 2023 and is expected to be completed in July 2024. The study cost $40,000, funded through the Seaport Economic Council and Community Preservation Funding.