Destination Groton Confab Focuses on Future of Town Center

The group came together to strategize on next steps for both a $50,000 One Stop: Rural Development grant and a $25,000 Town Center Technical Assistance grant just awarded to the Destination Groton Committee. Destination Groton’s dual mission is to encourage thoughtful commercial growth and to promote the town as a tourism hub for the region.

Groton Business Association President Jeff Gordon kicked off the morning by emphasizing that this is a 10-year vision, and the committee will need to work closely with local government to drive the vision. “The effect of this initiative is going to be very good for our retailers and our local establishments as well as residents and visitors alike.”

Speakers included Anne Gobi, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Rural Affairs, who oversees the Rural Development Fund, Glenn Eaton, Executive Director of the Montachusett Regional Planning Association, and Greg Sheldon, Chair of the Destination Groton Committee.

“Time and time again, I have seen how invested people are in this community,” said Gobi. “It’s a tricky balance, of preserving rural character while wanting to move ahead and do the right thing, and make it a place not just for people to stop for a weekend but also a destination.”

Photos courtesy of Steve Lieman

“Wow. The assets that you have here are just tremendous,” said Eaton, who presented the results of confidential stakeholder interviews conducted on behalf of Destination Groton, as well as a retail leakage study. That survey concluded that between $60 and $77 million leaves the community each year as residents travel to other towns to purchase goods and services not available here, such as apparel, and to dine at restaurants. FXM Associates estimates that approximately 12 new retail and service establishments could absorb much of that leakage through the construction of an additional 37,000 square feet of commercial space.

“We are grateful for the many letters of support we received from our strategic partners including town committees and organizations and we recognize the continuing support of our State Legislators including Rep. Margaret Scarsdale, Rep. Dan Sena and Senator John Cronin,” said Sheldon.

One site that has long been identified to add to the retail offerings in town is Station Avenue, which already has an overlay district in place to support redevelopment.

Attendees participated in an interactive brainstorming session using automatic polling to vote on how they wanted the funds from the grant to be used to improve Main Street. Questions included what they saw as the town’s most important asset (i.e. fine dining, arts and culture, recreational activities), which changes to Route 119 they considered most important for a more vibrant town center (i.e. burying the power lines, slowing traffic through town, adding signage), and other topics.

The results will be used to inform several sub-committees that Destination Groton is organizing. Volunteers are welcome; for more information and to sign up go to DestinationGroton.com.

Video courtesy of The Groton Channel / Ashley Doucette