Economic Development Administration Supports Vacant Land Development at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station Site in Massachusetts

The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, first opened its doors in 1972. For nearly 50 years, it provided electricity to communities across New England, including Boston and Providence. Changes in the market, compounded by increased operating expenses, led to its closure in 2019. Today, the plant is being decommissioned, a process that will span the next 30 years.

For several generations, the plant provided jobs and financial security to local residents, who now find themselves facing an uncertain future. In response, the town conducted a study to prepare a development plan for 1,500 acres of vacant land on the site. They turned to the Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) for support in preparing a grant application with the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

“When the plant closed its doors in 2019, it took more than 600 jobs with it, representing $77 million in local wages, as well as hundreds of secondary jobs throughout the community and Plymouth County region,” said Don Sullivan, OCPC’s Director of Economic Development. “EDA funding will support the creation of a master plan, derived through public engagement, for economic revitalization through development of the untouched land.”

In support of this redevelopment effort, EDA awarded a $3.8 million Assistance to Nuclear Closure Communities grant to the town of Plymouth in 2021. This infrastructure project was designed to provide more capacity and make water infrastructure improvements needed to attract new business development and private investment to create jobs in the region.

As an EDA-certified Economic Development District, OCPC collaborates with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to establish and implement an economic development roadmap for the region. It has a long history of helping to bring EDA projects to the community and was ready to take on the Pilgrim development plan. Working in collaboration with Holtec International and the Plymouth Foundation, OCPC developed the EDA grant application and was key in securing the project’s funding.

In 2023, OCPC helped procure funding for an additional project in the region, securing a $3 million award for the town of East Bridgewater, to enhance industrial development. The project provided sewer infrastructure upgrades to support a warehouse and distribution facility, medical services, and other ancillary development.

A third EDA proposal is currently underway in Avon to develop design and engineering plans for a sewer line that would extend service from the town of Stoughton to the Avon Industrial Park. The project will target higher-valued development and long-term skilled employment. It is designed to attract medical manufacturing and assembly, biotech, and life science industries to the park.

“These projects would not have been possible without the support we received from EDA, who has provided the critical planning and infrastructure necessary to create economic opportunity throughout the district and southeast Massachusetts,” Sullivan said.

To read about other EDA success stories, please visit eda.gov.