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Southbridge officials ask legislature for extension to use district liquor licenses amid downtown revitalization
Summary
Southbridge economic-development officials supported HB488 asking for an extension to allow planned restaurant openings and downtown redevelopment to use newly authorized district liquor licenses, citing about $27 million in secured local, state and federal funding and staffing disruptions that delayed projects.
Peggy Dean, economic development and planning director for the town of Southbridge, told the committee the town has secured about $27,000,000 in local, state and federal funding for infrastructure and revitalization projects and needs an extension to the term on district alcohol licenses so planned restaurants and redevelopment can proceed.
Dean described infrastructure investments—grants for street and trail projects and construction tied to housing development—and said the town experienced turnover in key municipal positions during and after the pandemic that delayed project timelines. She said two restaurants are preparing to open in the downtown core and additional district licenses will be requested as redevelopment progresses.
Local business representatives supported the extension at the hearing and asked the committee to vote in favor; the committee did not take a formal vote and invited written testimony.
