The Gardner Redevelopment Authority (GRA) is an independent economic development agency for the City of Gardner. The GRA was established in 1966 during the administration of Mayor Cyrille Landry in accordance with the provisions Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 121, as amended. The founding members of the GRA were Howard M. Tipton, Anthony P. Kraskouskas, Lubert E. Taylor, Raymond C. Coulombe and Richard L. Batt. The current members are Edward L. Lepkowski, Ronald F. Cormier, James D. Murphy, Cleo E. Monette and G. Albert Anderson.

Since its inception, the GRA has focused on the development of two industrial parks: the East Gardner Industrial Park off Betty Spring Road and the Summit Industrial Park off Pearl Street. The East Gardner Industrial Park is built-out and is home to ten (10) companies employing over 300 people. The Summit Industrial Park opened in late 1998 and is already home to six (6) companies employing approximately 250 people. Five (5) lots totaling approximately 35 acres are still available.

More recently, the GRA provided $50,000 for site preparation and environmental clean-up at the new location for the Heywood Library. Since joining with the City's Department of Community Development & Planning in a study of the 20-acre Rear Main Street Corridor in 1997, revitalizing this area has been high on the GRA's priority list. But the GRA can not take on a major urban renewal project using only its own limited resources. The library project presented the GRA with an opportunity to cooperate with the City and the Library Trustees, and to help this landmark project meet its local fund-raising goal.

The GRA also offers loans to eligible small businesses in Gardner in amounts from $25,000 to $1 million at rates lower than the market rate, floating and fixed, for a term of up to 25 years. This loan program, the GROW GARDNER FUND, is offered in partnership with the National Development Council's Grow American Fund, Inc. that is part of the U.S. Small Business Administration's 7(A) Loan Guarantee Program.

More information about industrial land in the Summit Industrial Park and the GROW GARDNER FUND is available from the GRA's Executive Director, Robert Hubbard, by calling him at (978) 630-4014 or via e-mail at rhubbard@gardner-ma.gov.


See the Business Assistance Website for the City of Gardner, sponsored by the Gardner Redevelopment Authority.

Meeting Agendas
Meeting Minutes

2007 GRA Annual Report

Industrial Park Land for Sale

Urban Renewal Plan

Grow Gardner Loan Fund (pdf)

Greater Gardner Community Development Corporation (CDC)

Massachusetts Economic Development Council (MEDC)

2008 Distressed Property List