Joseph Collins, Economic Development Director & Key Accounts Manager, Town of Norwood
In an interview with Invest:, Joseph Collins, economic development director and key accounts manager for the Town of Norwood, highlighted Norwood’s unique location near Boston. Key initiatives include fostering industrial clusters, business retention, and leveraging municipally owned utilities to provide cost-effective resources for businesses.
What makes Norwood a stand-out community in the region?
Several factors set Norwood apart. First, our location — just 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston — gives us access to a vast labor pool. We can draw talent from the Boston Metro and Providence, Rhode Island areas. We’re also easily accessible via three commuter rail stops, I-95, Route 1, and I-495.
Second, Norwood’s utility infrastructure makes it a stand-out community. Internet, electric, water, and sewer capacity are nearly limitless town wide. The Town of Norwood owns and operates all four utilities.
Norwood has a rich industrial history. From its incorporation 150 years ago, Norwood has been home to the most cutting-edge industries of the day, including tanneries, home construction materials, and electronics. Today, we’re a hub for biotech manufacturing, biotech research and development (R&D), and advanced manufacturing. Norwood is still home to several more established industries like asphalt shingle manufacturing and auto sales, being home to the “Auto Mile.” Norwood’s adaptability and business friendliness over the years have allowed Norwood to remain a leader in the cutting-edge industry of the day.
In terms of economic development, what have been the key achievements over the past year?
Some recent accomplishments include FM Global, a major insurance provider, deciding to complete a significant expansion in town. Moderna, which moved to Norwood in 2018, continues to expand its 158-acre campus and is now our largest employer, with 2,200 employees.
With the influx of research and technology companies, how are you shaping your strategy to attract more high-tech and R&D-focused businesses?
We focus on business retention and expansion. I meet with our top employers at least once a year to gauge how things are going at their Norwood facility. It’s a great way to develop strong relationships and open the door to discussions about how Norwood can assist with expansion plans when the time is right.
With all the recent developments in Norwood, what strategies are you using to retain companies and promote the region?
We focus on business retention and expansion. I meet with our top employers at least once a year to gauge how things business is at their Norwood facility. It’s a great way to develop strong relationships between them and open the door to discussions about how Norwood can assist them with expansion plans when the time is right.
What feedback have you received from the energy initiative for small businesses, and how is this impacting your retention efforts?
The feedback has been outstanding. Norwood has a municipally owned electric department, which allows us to offer commercial and industrial rebates for things like lighting, HVAC, heat pumps, and refrigeration. The lighting rebate program has been extremely popular. It helps companies save money on upgrades and is better for the environment. It’s something I always bring up when meeting with area companies.
What is your assessment of the labor pool in Norwood and what initiatives are in place to aid workforce development?
Being in the Boston Metro area gives us access to a highly educated labor pool, thanks to our proximity to institutions like MIT, Northeastern, and Wentworth. These schools consistently produce STEM graduates, which is great for the industries we’re targeting — biotech and advanced manufacturing. Norwood isn’t far from Rhode Island, allowing us to take advantage of Rhode Island’s excellent workforce as well.
We also work closely with the MassHire Metro South/West Workforce Region to assist companies in locating specific talent. They partner with local businesses to provide training for potential long-term employees, ensuring they have the skills to succeed.
How does Norwood partner with counties, cities, and state agencies to promote regional growth and innovation?
The Commonwealth offers many programs that we make sure our companies are aware of. I work closely with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and MassEcon, a private economic development organization. They’re instrumental in marketing and attracting new businesses to the area by handling leads and requests for information (RFIs). We collaborate regularly to support business attraction and retention.
What are some of the challenges Norwood faces, especially as it relates to affordable housing in the region?
Affordability is a challenge in Norwood, as it everywhere in the Boston Metro, but the Commonwealth has adopted aggressive legislation to increase housing production. Although it won’t fix the cost of living overnight, we are hopeful that the increase in new housing units in the region will start to lower the cost of living in near future.
What is the overall sentiment among business owners in Norwood?
Overall, the sentiment has been very positive. Most business owners I’ve spoken with feel supported by the town and enjoy being part of the Norwood community. However, one recurring concern is affordability for their employees. Our municipal owned electric and broadband utilities help keep electricity and internet rates below average.
How can the Economic Development Department assist businesses planning to locate in Norwood?
Norwood is a fantastic location within the Boston Metro area. We have access to one of the most highly educated workforces in the country, and our transportation infrastructure is excellent. Businesses benefit from easy access to major highways and three commuter rail stations. We also offer affordable electricity and fiber-optic infrastructure, thanks to our municipally owned electric and broadband utilities. The department provides site and building assistance, helping businesses find available properties in town.
The Town of Norwood also offers every incentive the Commonwealth allows municipalities to offer. We take great pride and care in being able to provide these incentives, as we understand the value and potential contribution that businesses and investors can make to the local economy. We are committed to efficiently and effectively moving incentive packages through the legislative process.
What are your top priorities for the next two to three years, and what is your outlook for Norwood?
The outlook for Norwood is very positive. We have major projects underway, such as the FM Global expansion. This project will boost tax revenue and further enhance our business-friendly reputation. My top priorities are to maintain strong relationships with our major employers, continue marketing Norwood as a prime destination for new investment, and ensure we keep the town a welcoming place for businesses.
