Grant Will Help Acton Plan Assistance Along Great Road Corridor

ACTON, MA — Acton was awarded a $60,000 grant from the state Department of Housing and Community Development to address pandemic-related challenges among businesses in the Great Road Commercial Corridor.

The goal of the grant is to develop a tailored Local Rapid Recovery Plan that will address Acton’s unique challenges. Recovery Plans can include a range of projects, such as infrastructure improvements, marketing and promotion, bike/pedestrian improvements, and façade and/or storefront signage enhancements.

"This is another example of how we are working tirelessly to support our businesses in Acton," Town Manager John Mangiaratti said. "I look forward with working with Land Use Economic Development Director Matthew Selby, Planning Director Kristen Guichard and the Economic Development Committee and other stakeholders on this new initiative."

The town will start planning in the next few weeks with a survey.

The Great Road Commercial Corridor stretches from the Littleton town line to the Concord town line. The corridor has several small service- and retail-related businesses. A sample survey in the spring of 2020 found Acton restaurants, salons and retail establishments saw business declines from 42 percent to 66 percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other challenges along the corridor include:

• Commercial vacancies are increasing.
• The Corridor lacks public sewer.
• Many commercial buildings are older and in need of investment.
• The need for a branding program that will strengthen community identity and connect the Corridor with the town centers and village areas.