For over 25 years, AHA! New Bedford, in collaboration with 100+ programming partners, has been a cornerstone of New Bedford’s cultural and economic landscape, delivering dynamic, well-marketed monthly events that showcase the city’s diverse talent and creativity.
In the spring of 2025, AHA! received ARPA funding from the City through the New Bedford Economic Development Council, to expand our downtown services beyond the popular AHA! Nights on the second Thursdays of every month.
AHA! New Bedford evolved its cultural programming and managed the Summer Sound Series of free concerts, boosted marketing efforts, and has undertaken beautification initiatives and other enhancements across Downtown.
As part of this project, AHA! has been asked to lead the planning process to understand if these efforts should -or could- continue beyond the end of the grant funding in November 2026.
We want to be clear about what this process is—and what it isn’t. We’ve heard concerns that we’re moving toward a predetermined outcome, specifically a Business Improvement District. That is not the case. Through this collaborative process, we’ll work together to envision what we want for downtown’s future, and from there, the right funding and implementation approach will emerge based on what the community identifies as priorities and needs. A BID may be one option that surfaces, but it’s not a foregone conclusion—it’s one tool among many, and this discovery process will reveal whether it’s the right fit for New Bedford.
The September 30th session was just the starting point of this collaborative discovery process to identify and prioritize the needs of our downtown community, so it remains an enjoyable place to live, visit, and do business.
The focus groups will build on what was presented – they are not repeats, but hands-on, forward-thinking interactive workshops designed to gather your ideas and shape next steps. Your input is essential to this work, so please help us spread the word to your neighbors, friends, and co-workers.
We strongly encourage everyone to stay engaged by signing up for our email updates here.
Together, we can ensure that downtown remains vital, thriving and true to what makes it so special.
AHA! is facilitating this effort along with several regional experts and looks forward to seeing where the process and discussion lead us. We look forward to your continued participation and partnership.
We want to hear from YOU!
Weigh in on AHA! New Bedford’s 2025 Downtown Survey. Share your unique perspective and help local organizations support a vibrant, welcoming downtown.
A summary of feedback will be shared in early 2026!
Community Meeting
Did you miss our Community Meeting on September 30th?
Or do you want to revisit the information presented? The New Bedford Cable Access recording is now available!
Presentations
André LeRoux supports community efforts to create more livable, welcoming, and thriving places. A native of Worcester, he currently leads MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute, where he hosts a network of leaders from 26 cities.
Prior to this, he spent more than 12 years as the executive director of the Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance, a coalition of environmental, housing, and planning organizations. Andre shared how other cities have collaborated and have successfully managed their downtowns using various tools and resources.
Lizeth Gonzalez is the Director of Economic and Community Development at SRPEDD.
Blending her passion for public service, local planning and economic development, Lizeth leads strategic planning efforts that facilitate context-sensitive growth and development in the region.
She shared SRPEDD’s data on the state of downtown.
Downtown Statistics
MassInc Research
Commercial districts need a high volume of foot traffic to support thriving small businesses. Supplemental district management services can dramatically increase this pedestrian activity.
Read more in the MassInc report District Management for Downtown Vitality by Ben Forman, André Leroux and Elise Rapoza.
