Lakeville committee wins $94,000 planning grant; readies resident and business survey

The Town of Lakeville Economic Development Committee learned on Oct. 20 that the town was awarded a $94,000 planning grant to develop an economic development strategy and accepted a timeline that includes a January survey of residents and businesses and competitive procurement of a consultant to do the study.

The grant award letter, dated Sept. 30 and described at the meeting as coming from the Executive Office of Economic Development and the rural development fund, will fund a two‑year project that the committee said must be completed by June 2027. Emily (staff member) said the scope included “existing conditions in town, a market analysis, opportunity analyses for commercial and industrial businesses” and fiscal and economic impact modeling tied to different development scenarios.

Why it matters: the committee has been reconstituted to help broaden Lakeville’s small commercial base and reduce taxpayer burden by identifying types of businesses and sites that could fit the town’s rural character. Committee members said the grant-funded strategy will underpin a town business guide, a searchable inventory of available commercial properties, and targeted outreach to potential tenants and brokers.