New Bedford Economic Development Committee Meeting – May 28, 2026

The Committee on Economic Development of the New Bedford City Council convened on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall, 133 William Street, New Bedford, MA. The meeting was live streamed and recorded. No minutes or transcript were available for this summary; the following is based solely on the published agenda.

Scheduled Agenda Items

1. 2026 FIFA World Cup Regional Planning and Promotion – Motion by Councillors Abreu, Lopes, and Choquette requesting the City, through its Tourism & Marketing Office and relevant departments, to engage in regional planning and promotion for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as five group stage matches will be held at Gillette Stadium from June 13 to July 9, 2026. The motion seeks to position New Bedford as a welcoming destination for overflow hotel demand and increased regional visitation, with a targeted marketing strategy and exploration of transportation, informational materials, and visitor packages. A representative of the Tourism & Marketing Office was requested to update the Committee.

2. New Zoning Ordinances and Economic Development – Motion by Councillor Choquette and Council President Pereira requesting that the Committee meet with EDC Director Derek Santos, Housing and Community Development Director Josh Amaral, City Planner Jennifer Carloni, and City Solicitor Jaikes to discuss how new zoning ordinances will increase economic development and provide estimates of new growth.

3. Dairy Queen Expansion Letter – Motion by Councillors Abreu, Gomes, and Council President Morad and Winterson requesting that the City Council write to Dairy Queen Vice President Jim Kerr about opening one of the company’s proposed new expansion locations in New Bedford. The motion notes that Dairy Queen, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, plans to add 60 new franchises in Massachusetts over five years beyond its current 33.

4. Urban Smart Growth Assessment – Motion by Councillors Abreu, Winterson, Lopes, and Bousquet requesting a letter of interest to Urban Smart Growth, a Santa Monica-based property management company specializing in revitalizing large buildings, mill spaces, and churches, for an economic development assessment of the City’s un- and under-utilized mill and church spaces.

5. Building #19 Property – Motion by Councillors Abreu and Winterson requesting representatives of Washburn Realty, LLC and B.S. Realty appear before the Committee to discuss intentions for the old Building #19 property on Hathaway Road.

6. Urban Smart Growth Communication – Communication from Aaron Iskowitz, COO of Urban Smart Growth, responding to a letter from the City Clerk regarding provision of an economic development assessment.

7. Blue Harvest Fisheries Closure – Communication from Council President Morad submitting a letter from Blue Harvest Fisheries stating they will end food processing operations at 40 Herman Melville Boulevard on May 26, 2023. (Note: This item was referred to the then-named Committee on Labor & Industry in 2023.)

8. New Bedford State Pier Development – Communication from Council President Morad and Councillor Giesta submitting a letter from State Representative Christopher Markey to New Bedford Economic Development Council President Anthony Sapienza regarding development of the New Bedford State Pier.

Because no minutes or transcript were available, no actions, votes, or public comments are reported.