Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | October 19, 2026 | wbjournal.com Real Estate SAVE THE DATE DECEMBER 16, 2026 3:00 - 6:00PM | Hogan Campus Center College of the Holy Cross, Worcester CHAMPIONS OF Health Care CHAMPIONS OF A W A R D S & F O R U M Join us as we celebrate WBJ's 2026 Champions of Health Care and discuss a healthier, more equitable, and innovative future for healthcare! Stay tuned - 2026 honorees will be announced in WBJ's November 30th edition wbjournal.com/event/healthcare/ Presenting Sponsor: Corporate Sponsor: the possibility of commercial develop- ment. Sweeney said MassDevelopment plans to ask voters in Ayer, Harvard and Shirley to consider the amend- ment at simultaneous town meetings in March 2027. Each community must approve the same zoning language. Livingston supports housing at Vicksburg Square, perhaps an adaptive reuse project if the historic buildings can be utilized safely. She said a capa- ble developer could make Vicksburg a real place of pride, but wants public forums before the vote so residents understand the proposal and its po- tential effects. Housing and commercial growth must also coexist with Devens' recre- ational role; Sweeney said more than 320,000 people visited last year, with attractions that include sports fields, the Devens location of Clinton-based Sterling Street Brewery and a disc golf course. Protecting and improving those resources as development con- tinues is one of his priorities, he said. Devens also remains home to an active military presence, and Sweeney said MassDevelopment has begun monthly meetings with the base to ex- plore partnerships on issues including energy and procurement. What happens by 2033 e 2033 deadline comes from Chapter 498, the state law that established Devens' redevelopment structure. e law requires the DEC, MassDevelopment, and the select boards of Ayer, Harvard and Shirley to begin studying permanent-gov- ernment options by July 1, 2030, and submit a study and joint recommenda- tion to the governor and Legislature by July 1, 2033. In practical terms, the stakehold- ers must decide who should govern Devens over the long term and how its services, infrastructure, assets and costs should be handled. e law directs them to consider structures involving the towns, joint entities, MassDevelopment and the DEC; identify transition costs and needed investments; and seek public partici- pation. State lawmakers would still have to decide whether to enact the recom- mendation, while also addressing MassDevelopment authorities that are expressly scheduled to expire in 2033, including its designation as Devens' industrial development financing au- thority and certain regulatory powers related to public health, welfare and safety. No consensus exists on the out- come. Eldridge said the surrounding towns have historical and financial interests. Some residents favor greater local control or an independent town, and businesses generally value the present system. From the business perspective, El- dridge said, there's interest in a system that prioritizes expedited economic development. e Devens Jurisdiction Frame- work Committee has been assembling information about options, including continued state management, resto- ration of the historic town boundaries, an independent Devens or hybrid arrangements. Livingston, who chairs the commit- tee, said MassDevelopment's return to the discussions under Sweeney has improved communication. "MassDevelopment is back at the table, which is a good thing," she said. "at means they're part of the con- continued from page 17 PHOTO | COURTESY OF COMMONWEALTH FUSION Commonwealth Fusion

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