This vision of New Bedford is one that began nearly 250 years ago. In the mid-1700s, Joseph Rotch purchased 13 acres of land along our deep harbor, establishing the whale fishery that transformed the small village into a thriving port. A century later, the boon of the textile industry swelled our population, spurred the development of vast new ethnic neighborhoods, and expanded the city’s growth to the north and south. Within the last century, the emergence of commercial fishing and processing secured our national prominence as a center of global commerce, wholly connected to the sea.

Today, our commercial fishing fleet, recreational, and research vessels have replaced the hulking whaling ships of the past. Our historic mill buildings, that once contained thousands of spinning looms, are being preserved and transformed for new uses. While whaling and textiles no longer fuel an economy that drives the success and growth patterns of the city, our identity as a vibrant and ethnically diverse seaport community holds fast.

As we look toward our future with an understanding of our heritage, and the knowledge and desire to transform our industries and practices of the past, we are forging a comprehensive, inclusive, and balanced strategy that aims to:

• Value education at every level, every age and every stage of life;
• Embrace our connection to the sea by enhancing public access, expanding public education of our marine resources, supporting a sustainable and diverse working harbor, encouraging responsible development along the water’s edge, and providing enriching on-the-water experiences;
• Strengthen and celebrate our diverse neighborhoods by re-establishing walkable commercial centers, protecting and respecting the historic and cultural landscape, enhancing and expanding open-space and community activity, and ensuring that safe and stable housing is available to all;
• Build strategic areas of sustainable growth for job creation through sound planning, transforming historic mills, enhancing pubic infrastructure, transparent and efficient policies, and maximizing private investment in emerging growth industries;
• Foster art, culture, and education by creating new opportunities for creative enterprises, building on our existing network of cultural institutions, destinations, and events, and creating a lively downtown campus environment of higher education and university activities; and
• Most importantly, continue to advance recent hard fought economic development victories—rooted in our balanced and aggressive approach to support existing business, attract emerging industries, communicate a positive message, develop strategic sites, prepare a ready workforce, and capture long-term catalytic opportunities for growth.
• For nearly 250 years New Bedford has been a community of the sea. With strong values, sound strategy, and shared responsibility, we will be leaders in the rebirth of the American city, and once again be able to successfully create our own history as a vibrant seaport community—well positioned for the 21st century.