Like many small New England cities, Fitchburg developed around a river and the mills it powered. The city struggled after the mills began closing in the mid- to late 20th century as manufacturing declined nationwide.
The loss of industry impacted Fitchburg’s workforce and pride. Community leaders faced challenges when applying to participate in what is now the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Working Places community development program.
“Fitchburg was having trouble believing in itself," said Marc Dohan, executive director of NewVue, a neighborhood development organization.
Changing that required a shift in thinking. “We had to really say, ‘Well, what are our assets?’” Dohan added.
The answer became the heart of a Working Places project: revitalizing Fitchburg’s North of Main neighborhood to create a center for arts and culture. By 2017, the team had created a $100 million pipeline of new investment opportunities.
On Friday, Boston Fed President and CEO Susan M. Collins and Adriana Kugler, a member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, toured Fitchburg and North of Main. They met with community and business leaders to hear their economic concerns.
Kugler emphasized that the Fed's role is to support an economy that works for all. “That is part of the reason why I think it is so critical for those of us who are in Washington D.C. to get out there,” she said.
Working Places started as the Working Cities Challenge focusing on post-industrial cities like Fitchburg, which has about 42,000 residents on the Nashua River. The challenge aimed to unite sectors within a city that don’t usually interact to solve common problems. Winners received a three-year grant.
Participants told Collins and Kugler they determined Fitchburg’s biggest asset was its increasingly diverse population. They also recognized strengths such as Fitchburg State University and the 99-year-old Fitchburg Art Museum but needed a change in perspective. Narrow streets were seen as walkable streets; vacant buildings became charming historic ones.
Major projects included renovating the historic city hall and restoring B.F. Brown School into an arts community with affordable apartments. Additionally, Fitchburg State plans to renovate Main Street Theater.
Local state Rep. Mike Kushmerek described winning the Working Cities grant as a “galvanizing moment.”
“And I think in some senses it was also the paradigm-shifting mentality,” he added.
Despite progress, challenges remain. The poverty rate (13.9%) exceeds the statewide rate by about three percentage points; median household income ($65,963) is about 34% below the state median.
State Sen. John Cronin noted north central Massachusetts struggles to attract private capital needed for market-rate housing which draws young professionals and middle class residents.
“My concern … is that I don’t see the workforce getting bigger,” he said regarding construction trades specifically needed for development projects.
At Fitchburg Art Museum later that day, small business owners told Collins and Kugler people seem to be going out less due to inflation pressures on disposable income.
“People have less money to spend; rent is higher; everything is high,” said restaurant owner Elmer Melendez from Taco’s Tequila and Dario’s Ristorante.
Bob Lockett from Workers Credit Union advised businesses owners develop relationships with local financial institutions early on rather than waiting until there is an urgent need: “It’s more challenging if we’ve been talking only when there's significant need.”
Collins & Kugler also learned about efforts addressing workforce issues by improving childcare access led by residents Marites MacLean & Beth Robbins under Leaders for Equitable Local Economies training local leaders towards racial equity inclusivity within economies creating bilingual programs training others opening childcare centers enabling parents finding necessary care working lives easier
“We were able bring pieces not engaged yet mostly female Latina population means making income culturally competent childcare available them,” Robbins shared.
Kugler stated affordable accessible child care crucial U.S economy emphasizing importance discussing these matters monetary policy meetings understanding real challenges working people face today
“We discuss issues child care our monetary policy meetings matter us because dealt similar situations personally understand real challenges working people face today”
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Jay Lindsay member communications team Federal Reserve Bank Boston
