Proposed rail station aims to reconnect city to waterfront

TAUNTON — A proposed commuter rail station off Route 18 would become the new home of the Greater New Bedford Career Center, as well as a catalyst for private development in the neighborhood, according to state and city officials.
Kristina Egan, the manager of South Coast Rail, offered details Monday of the proposed Whale's Tooth Station during a meeting of the Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization.

State officials have applied for $71.4 million in federal stimulus money for the station proposal... [read more]

  Rhode Island Monthly features city wine and tapas bar, Cork

If you want to build a city, look for liquid. Some of the Atlantic coast’s most engaging cities have been built (or rebuilt) not according to the most desirable land plots but in proximity to water. Check out Baltimore, Portland, even Providence, and the relationship between commercial enterprise and a water view is clear. But while Providence’s revival centers on the convergence of three rivers, New Bedford has followed Portland’s template, developing its own bustling downtown retail district in the wake of the country’s number one fishing port. Turns out, 200-year-old cobblestone streets no longer... [read more]

  Gateway Cities leaders argue for tax credits

BOSTON — New Bedford and other struggling cities in the state could revive their economies if given more means to encourage development and historic restoration.

That was the message of mayors and other city officials who converged on Beacon Hill on Wednesday to seek the help of state lawmakers. They testified before the Joint Committee on Revenue in favor of a bill designed to spur growth in New Bedford, Fall River and other "Gateway Cities" through tax credits.
"We meet with investors on a regular basis... [read more]

  New Bedford's arts community opens its doors

New Bedford's arts community threw open its doors this weekend as the fifth annual Open Studios event took place at more than a dozen venues across the city. Artists working in glass, paint, textiles, wood, metal and clay invited the public in for a close-up look at the setting in which their work takes shape. And the venues varied nearly as much as the artwork on display.

At County and Linden streets, silversmith Joost During and his wife, sculptor Dianne Reilly, stood behind a workbench in the soft glow of sunlight through the... [read more]

  Working Waterfront Festival entertains with fishing, farming attractions

NEW BEDFORD — Scallop shells were flying, whaling boats were moving and fish were frying on the first day of the Working Waterfront Festival on the city's port.
Saturday's sunny, crisp weather was a welcome change from last year's downpours, and visitors came from all over to get a sense of what life is like when commercial fishing is your living.

"The fishing industry is New Bedford, and we should be proud of it and support it," Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen said... [read more]

  New Bedford welcomes new restaurant to Goulart Square

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — New Bedford city officials joined legislators and restaurant owners to celebrate the opening of Fresca Grill recently. As the name indicates, the focus of the new restaurant is to provide the freshest of ingredients at an affordable price to its valued guests.

The restaurant is owned by husband and wife team, Chef Victor and Deanna Vieira.
"The Fresca Grill started with a concept of fresh food from farm to table, from seed to plate," explained Chef Vieira. "We try to use everything fresh... [read more]

  Seeing red: Crab company finds home in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD — When Capt. John Brewer and the five crew members aboard the crab boat Krystle James tied up at the South Terminal Wednesday morning after an eight-day trip, they were enjoying a rare glimpse of land.

Once they finished unloading 70,000 pounds of red crab, the 83-foot boat was refueled and steamed out to the fishing grounds the following day to harvest more. "We fish them year-round from the Hague Line right down to Hatteras," Brewer said.

Found along the continental shelf, the Atlantic... [read more]

  Training and Workshop Opportunities

Essential Business Tools for Artists
The New Bedford Economic Development Council Creative Economy Development Office presents a fall series of workshops for artists. The series is offered to artists, students and creative entrepreneurs to provide them with the basic tools needed to succeed as small businesses. The workshops will include basic yet crucial information on business planning, accounting and taxes and marketing. The “Survive and Thrive” fall workshop schedule includes:

The Business of Art-Planning for Success
October 29, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at UMass... [read more]