OSPCD: Economic Development

City of Somerville FY22 Budget

Mission Statement

The Economic Development division fosters the growth of a resilient and equitable economic base in Somerville by facilitating the creation of good jobs, preparing Somerville’s workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow, stimulating the growth of new and existing businesses and expanding the commercial tax base. The division pursues this mission within three core strategy areas: real estate development, workforce development, and business development.

Personal Services Changes

Personal Services are projected up 48% for FY22.


This budget proposes a new Senior Planner for Women & Minority Business Support to develop and implement programs to women-owned, BIPOC-owned, immigrant-owned, and other disadvantaged Somerville businesses.


The Director of Economic Development position has been reclassified for FY22.


Changes in salaries are due to adjustments to CDBG grant allocations, negotiated collective bargaining agreements and merit increases based on annual performance reviews.

Ordinary Maintenance Changes

Ordinary Maintenance costs are projected up 89% for FY22.


This is due to an increase in Professional & Technical Services to support workforce development, small business development and support, the creation of a plan for the Armory, and more.

FY22 Goals & Measures of Progress

GOAL 1: Stimulate development in the transform and enhance areas outlined in SomerVision to increase vitality, business attraction, and growth of the commercial tax base.

  • Implement the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan, Gilman Square Neighborhood Plan, and 90 Washington Street Demonstration Project Plan.
  • Complete a District Improvement Financing Plan for the Boynton Yards neighborhood.

GOAL 2: Invest in the talents, skills, and education of residents to support growth and provide opportunities to residents of all social and economic levels as outlined in the Somerville Talent Equity Playbook.

  • Invest in industry specific training, contextualized education for adult & English Language Learners, and Wage Theft/worker rights programs.
  • Collaborate with Somerville Public Schools to relaunch the FabVille community makerspace within the new Somerville High School.
  • Track number of residents trained and placed in jobs through workforce development programs.

GOAL 3: Support local businesses throughout the post-Covid economic recovery.

  • Provide strategic business technical assistance, targeted recovery grants and other support services to enable businesses, especially locally-owned independents, to stabilize and prosper.
  • Number of businesses receiving technical assistance and recovery grants, as well as total dollar amount of assistance provided.

GOAL 4: Develop and implement programs to support women-owned, BIPOC-owned, immigrant-owned, and other disadvantaged Somerville businesses.
  • Hire and onboard a Senior Planner: Women and Minority-Owned Business Support to identify barriers, provide strategic advice to OSPCD staff, and develop programs to address barriers for women-owned, BIPOC-owned, immigrant-owned, and other disadvantaged Somerville businesses.
  • Host first of series of annual summits with women-owned, BIPOC-owned and immigrant owned businesses in Somerville.
  • Publish the second edition of the Somerville Diversity Catalogue.

FY22 Budget

Personnel Listing