BioReady® Communities

Massachusetts is BioReady®!

Biotech zoned science parks, streamlined permitting, robust infrastructure, pre-permitted biotech sites!

Today, the need to move innovation rapidly from the computer screen to the laboratory to the manufacturing plant is more important than ever.

Because of the state's rich history in biotechnology, many of its cities and towns, with the support of state government, have increasingly adopted local policies that greatly ease the pathway for renovation or new construction of biotech laboratory and manufacturing facilities.

Expedited permitting policies, by-right zoning, supportive public infrastructure projects, pre-permitted biotech sites, planned area developments are examples of the increasingly supportive public policies in Massachusetts municipalities.

The MassBio BioReady® Community Campaign recognizes this supportive atmosphere. There are currently 72 BioReady® Communities across the Commonwealth.

Bioready Nov 2012

MassBio and partner organizations began the BioReady® Communities Campaign in early 2008. MassBio conducted seven regional BioReady® Community Seminars throughout the state for the purpose of providing background to municipal officials about the biotech industry and guidance on how to position a municipality as a destination for biotech laboratory and manufacturing facilities.

The topics presented in the seminars included a background on the biotech industry, its economic impact, facility requirements of biotech laboratory and manufacturing space, bio-safety, and municipal approvals practices that are conducive to supporting biotech opportunities.

A great source for municipal officials and residents who want to learn more about biotechnology facailities is the  Biotechnology Community Guide available for download.

View a recent BioReadyTM Communities Seminar presentation here: South Shore - Canal District presentation

MassBio Massachusetts BioReady® Community Ratings

As part of the BioReady® Campaign, MassBio has developed ratings for municipalities who fill out a BioReady Communitiessurvey with information on their zoning practices and infrastructure capacity. Our focus with these ratings is to help biotechnology companies find the most favorable destinations in the state and to enable the state and its cities and towns to effectively tell their story to the biotechnology industry. BioReady®-rated cities and towns have made a commitment to biotechnology.

If you represent a community that has not yet been rated, please fill out this survey to achieve a rating.

Bronze

MassBio Bronze

Municipalities at this level feature:

  • Municipal water and sewer available in commercial and industrial areas.
  • Zoning allows for biotech laboratory and manufacturing uses by special permit.
  • Identified point of contact in town/city hall to assist biotech projects.
  • Abington, Arlington, Burlington
  • Dracut
  • Easthampton
  • Everett,  Fitchburg
  • Greenfield
  • Hatfield
  • Holliston, Lawrence
  • Middleborough, Newton
  • Northbridge
  • Randolph
  • Salem
  • Sturbridge
  • West Bridgewater
Silver

MassBio Silver

Municipalities at this level feature:

  • Bronze Criteria plus
  • Municipality allows biotech laboratory and manufacturing uses by right.
  • Has identified buildings and/or land sites for biotechnology uses in municipal plans.

AND

  • Municipality convenes site plan review meetings, bringing together all pertinent departments, to provide an overview of the local approvals process for significant commercial and industrial projects.
  • Has land sites and/or buildings included in BioSites inventory at www.massachusettssitefinder.com

OR

  • Community has identified Priority Development Sites per Chapter 43D
  • Municipality has a site designated as a Massachusetts Growth District
  • Chelsea
  • Chelmsford
  • Dedham, Holyoke, Leominster
  • Lynn
  • Newburyport
  • Norfolk
  • Reading
  • Somerville, Uxbridge, West Boylston.
Gold

MassBio Gold

Municipalities at this level feature:

  • Silver Criteria plus
  • Municipality has sites or buildings pre-permitted for biotechnology laboratory or manufacturing use, OR
  • Municipality has existing buildings in which biotech laboratory or manufacturing activities are taking place.
  • Attleboro, Billerica, Brockton, Charlton, Chicopee, Fall River, Franklin, Gardner, Hopkinton, Mansfield, Northampton, Pittsfield, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, Tewksbury, Watertown, Westfield, Westminster
Platinum

MassBio Platinum

Municipalities at this level feature:

  • Gold Criteria plus
  • Municipality's Board of Health has adopted the National Institutes of Health guidelines on rDNA activity as part of its regulations.
  • Municipality includes a building or buildings that are already permitted for biotech uses and have 20,000 square feet or more of available space for biotech uses.

OR

  • Municipality has a shovel-ready pre-permitted land site with completed MEPA review and municipal water and sewer capacity to meet additional demand.
  • Andover
  • Bedford
  • Beverly
  • Boston
  • Cambridge
  • Canton, Devens
  • Framingham
  • Gloucester, Grafton
  • Haverhill
  • Lexington
  • Lowell
  • Marlborough, New Bedford
  • North Andover, Quincy, Southfield (Tri-Town)
  • Springfield
  • Taunton
  • Waltham
  • Westborough, Woburn, Worcester

View available sites in the above-mentioned towns at www.massachusettssitefinder.com.

About MassBio

MassBio is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the development of critical new science, technology and medicines that benefit people worldwide.

Founded in 1985, MassBio represents over 600 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and health care, and works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs and events, industry information, and services.

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