North Adams Partnership 3-Year Strategic Plan

The North Adams Partnership is a coalition of community and business leaders focused on achieving the economic development and housing goals identified in the North Adams Vision 2030 plan.

Founded in 2010 and revitalized with new leadership in 2024, the North Adams Partnership is focused on achieving two goals: fostering ongoing, sustainable investment and improvement through collaboration with businesses and the community; and increasing the supply of affordable housing that attracts new residents, supports aging in place, and strengthens the city’s downtown core.

Equipped with lessons from the past, ambition for the future, and a new generation of creative, resilient leaders, the North Adams Partnership is uniquely positioned to create the conditions for long-term success in North Adams.

Our Mission

To enhance the economy of the city of North Adams and establish and maintain the city's position as a small city center of commerce, culture, education, and innovation.

Our Values

Connected

We break down silos by building relationships across disciplines based on trust.

Local

We prioritize the resources we have when pursuing new directions.

Persistent

We follow through on our commitments and stay focused on achieving our goals.

Strategy 1:

Support Existing Small Businesses

METRIC: 10 BUSINESSES CONNECTED TO DIRECT BUSINESS SUPPORT

  1. Build Business and Provider Partner Networks
    FY26 Q3

  2. Launch Small Business Connector Hub
    FY26 Q3

  3. Establish Small Business Bridge Fund
    FY27 Q2


VISION 2030 POLICY E 3.1B: Advance Ways to Quickly Connect Small Businesses to Appropriate Resources to Improve Success Rate

Our Vision

A vibrant, engaged, creative community where people from all walks of life can live, work, play, and thrive.

Resilient

We are comfortable with risk and uncertainty and learn from setbacks.

Responsive

We act on opportunities as they arise and adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Transparent

We share information broadly and keep lines of communication open.

Visible
We make our presence known in
the community.

Downtown Development Goal:

Foster ongoing, sustainable investment and improvement through collaboration with businesses and the community.

Strategy 2:

Expand Student Access to the Local Economy

METRIC: 20 STUDENTS CONNECTED TO INTERNSHIP/EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Build Educational Partner Network
    FY26 Q2

  2. Identify and Support Two Workforce Programs
    FY26 Q3

  3. Launch Student Pilot Program Aligned with Local Workforce
    FY27 Q1

VISION 2030 POLICY E 2.1: Capitalize on the proximity of local colleges to grow new business and link graduates into the workforce

Housing Goal:

Increase the supply of affordable housing that attracts new residents, supports aging in place, and strengthens the city’s downtown core.

Strategy 3:

Bring New Business Downtown

METRIC: 3 NEW BUSINESSES ESTABLISHED IN DOWNTOWN NORTH ADAMS

  1. Build Regional Chamber Network FY26 Q4

  2. Connect New Businesses to Resources FY27 Q1

  3. Launch Business “Move to North Adams” Campaign FY27 Q3

VISION 2030 POLICY E 4.1B: Offer a Clear and Coordinated Business and Resident Recruitment Platform

Strategy 1:

Accelerate Incremental Housing Development

METRIC: 20 NORTH ADAMS HOMEOWNERS CONNECTED TO RESOURCES

  1. Build Housing Partner Network FY26 Q3

  2. Launch Housing Resource Hub FY27 Q2

  3. Host Expert-Led Housing Information Sessions FY27 Q3

VISION 2030 POLICY HN 2.1: Empower neighborhoods and individuals to combat blight and disrepair conditions.

Strategy 2:

Support Missing Middle Housing Development

METRIC: 20 MARKET RATE HOUSING UNITS ADDED TO THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

  1. Identify Priority Projects
    FY26 Q4

  2. Identify Developer Partners
    FY27 Q1

  3. Support Pre-Development Plan
    FY27 Q3

VISION 2030 POLICY HN 1.3A: Prioritize Sites for New Mixed-Income Construction or Renovation

Strategy 3:

Launch Downtown Workforce Housing

METRIC: 20 WORKFORCE HOUSING UNITS ADDED TO THE DOWNTOWN DISTRICT

  1. Coordinate With Local Anchor Organizations To Assess Needs
    FY27 Q3

  2. Identify Sites Suited For Adaptive Reuse
    FY27 Q4

  3. Complete Pre-Development Plan
    FY28 Q2

VISION 2030 POLICY E 7.1: Increase the number and variety of people living and working downtown