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Central MA Life Sciences Report 9 BioReady communities The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council rates the state's various communities as BioReady based on their ability to host biotechnology facilities, ranking each into one of four tiers (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum). As of March 17, the state has 90 BioReady communities, including 27 in Central Massachusetts. Those 27 communities are highlighted on this map, color-coded based on their ranking. The communities not included in the BioReady ranking are in the light-blue coloring. Source: MassBio.org Royalston Ashby Pepperell Gardner Fitchburg Lunenburg Shirley Groton Ayer Acton Phillipston Princeton Sudbury Wayland Holden Oakham New Braintree Hardwick North Brookfield East Brookfield Brookfield Charlton Southbridge Dudley Littleton Harvard Ashburnham Templeton Sturbridge Winchendon Berlin Hudson Leominster Clinton Athol West Brookfield Barre Paxton Spencer Leicester Auburn Worcester West Boylston Boylston Sutton Northbridge Grafton Millbury Medway Hopedale Mendon Blackstone Bellingham Douglas Uxbridge Webster Holliston Hopkinton Oxford Franklin Upton Natick Sherborn Millis Ashland Southborough Framingham Westborough Northborough Shrewsbury Bolton Lancaster Sterling Maynard Rutland Hubbardston Boxborough Devens Marlborough Petersham Millville Townsend Westminster Holliston Stow PLATINUM - Municipalities at this level feature Gold criteria plus their boards of health have adopted the National Institutes of Health guidelines on rDNA activity as part of its regulations, and they include a building or buildings already permitted for biotech uses and have 20,000 square feet or more of available space for biotech uses. As an alternative, these can also feature shovel-ready, pre-permitted land sites with completed Mass. Environmental Policy Act review and municipal water and sewer capacity to meet additional demand. BRONZE - Municipalities at this level feature municipal water and sewer available in commercial and industrial areas; zoning allowing for biotech laboratory and manufacturing uses by special permit; and an identified point of contact in local government to assist biotech projects. SILVER - Municipalities at this level feature Bronze criteria plus they allow biotech laboratory and manufacturing uses by right, and they have identified buildings and/ or land sites for biotechnology uses in municipal plans. Plus, they offer two of the following four: • Site plan review meetings, bringing together all pertinent departments to provide an overview of the local approvals process for significant commercial and industrial projects • Land sites and/or buildings included in MassEcon ReadyMass 100 • Identified Priority Development Sites per Chapter 43D • A site designated as a Massachusetts Growth District GOLD - Municipalities at this level feature Silver criteria plus they have sites or buildings pre-permitted for biotechnology laboratory or manufacturing use; or they have existing buildings in which biotech laboratory or manufacturing activities are taking place. Royalston Ashby Gardner Fitchburg Lunenburg Phillipston Princeton Holden Oakham New Braintree Hardwick Ashburnham Templeton Winchendon Leominster Athol Barre Paxton West Boylston Boylston Shrewsbury Sterling Rutland Hubbardston Petersham Townsend Westminster Royalston Gardner Phillipston Oakham New Braintree Hardwick North Brookfield East Templeton Winchendon Athol West Brookfield Barre Spencer Rutland Hubbardston Petersham Royalston Hardwick Athol Petersham