Infrastructure Improvements Allow Businesses to Expand, Create New Jobs in Fall River, MA

In 2013, EDA awarded the City of Fall River, Massachusetts a $2-million-dollar grant which was matched with $2 million in local share for the Airport Road Water System Improvement project at the city’s 425-acre Industrial Park. Today, the park has much-improved water distribution and fire suppression systems. It is also ripe with over 60 diverse companies that employ more than 5,000 people including an Amazon.com distribution center.

According to the City of Fall River and its Office of Economic Development, the EDA-supported improvements have specifically helped both a textile manufacturer and a first of its kind bio manufacturing center, which have created upwards of 182 new jobs in addition to just over $55 million in private investment as reported in 2016. These employment and investment gains, assisted by the formative EDA and city public infrastructure investment, are significant in respect to manufacturing.

One example is a traditional textile manufacturer, Matouk Textile Works, who was not only able to remain in Fall River, but also expanded its facility. Matouk now offers a 21st Century collaborative, creative, employee-focused culture which is well- recognized in Massachusetts and the business competes in the international market place. The company weathered the recession and saw its sales jump from $10 million in 2009 to $25 million in 2014. Matouk had 50 employees when it moved to Fall River in 2005. There are over 105 employees working for the company now.

Tags: Infrastructure, Manufacturing