2015 marked an active year for business in Bedford!  Let's step back and reflect on some of the highlights.
Sample of New Businesses locating to Bedford in 2015:
Aspen Technology,  Bedford Research Foundation, Bella Maria Cucina, Datawatch, Exascale Networks, Holi, Keurig, Red Heat Tavern, Ocean State Job Lot, Lincoln Liquors, Live Long Pilates, Ninepoint Medical and Mayflower Communications.

2015 Major Commercial Developments
Bedford Marketplace - The largest retail project in 2015 included the planned redevelopment of an older 1960s-style shopping center in Bedford Center. The new shopping center will feature a mix of new and previously existing retail stores and restaurants. New businesses include Red Heat Tavern, Comella's, and the new flagship Learning Express Toys and activity center. The redevelopment project includes new buildings, better pedestrian connections to shopping, reconstructing the parking lot with a better layout, upgraded utilities, stormwater management, landscaping, seating and bicycle racks. The project commenced in 2015 with completion anticipated in 2016.

The XChange - The largest office/r&d project in 2015 was the redevelopment and revitalization of an office/R&D campus (475,000 sq. ft.) in a phased development at 4 to 18 Crosby Drive, a venture of the Davis Companies. Planning staff worked closely with the developer's permitting team, and responded quickly to changes, as the project evolved. Phase 1 included an expansion of parking areas, façade renovations, addition of an outdoor landscaped area for passive recreation, circulation improvements, and expansion of on premises food business, Phase 2 involved adding structured parking and landscaping, and Phase 3 included a new building.

Retail Workshop
Together with the Bedford Chamber of Commerce and the Middlesex 3 Coalition, we hosted a best retail practices workshop in April 2015 for Bedford retailers and restaurants. Recognizing the value of small businesses' contributions to our local economy, the workshop serves to support retailers and provide them with easy to employ strategies for how they can best present their product to customers. According to Chris Moynihan, the workshop presenter "when asked where to shop, 70% of consumers say they'd choose to shop local." She further noted that shopping locally keeps 67 cents per dollar within the local economy. We think that community economic development results in not only more jobs, but also more vibrant streets.
2016 Business Initiatives: A Look to the Future
Here are just some of the initiatives we will be looking at as we open the book on 2016.
 Develop a print and web-based "How to Open a Business in Bedford" guide targeted to small businesses wishing to locate/expand in Bedford
 To attract new businesses, assist with "branding" of industrial and commercial areas, i.e. Crosby Drive District; Depot District; Wiggins Avenue Life Sciences District; and Cultural Center
 Continue our collaboration with businesses organizations, the Bedford Chamber of Commerce and the Middlesex 3 Coalition, to further economic development and transportation goals
 Meet with Middlesex Turnpike property owners to ensure regular communication and project coordination regarding the Middlesex Turnpike Improvements Project, Phase III
 Highlight visitor/cultural resources in Bedford on the Economic Development website
 Develop outreach events to businesses to gather feedback on proposed zoning changes to encourage appropriate redevelopment and investment in our business areas
 Encourage community events centered in Bedford's commercial areas, such as the Walkabout
 Explore a lunchtime shuttle service for employees to Bedford restaurants and shops Questions or Comments? Feel free to reach out! Contact Alyssa Sandoval at asandoval@bedfordma.gov or 781-275-1111