MassDevelopment Awards Grant to Town of Amherst to Support Future Redevelopment of Hampshire College Campus

September 16, 2026

Kelsey Schiller, 857-325-3477
kschiller@massdevelopment.com

AMHERST, Mass. – Today, MassDevelopment announced a $175,000 grant to the Town of Amherst to support the future redevelopment of the Hampshire College campus, which is scheduled to cease operations in December 2026. The grant will fund technical assistance for a zoning study designed to enable future economic development at the approximately 860-acre campus while the Hampshire College Board of Trustees oversees the marketing and sale of the property.

“Our administration is committed to supporting Amherst as it works with residents to shape the future of the Hampshire College campus and create new opportunities for the community,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This grant will provide local leaders with additional resources to put this property to the best use for their community.”

“We’re making sure Amherst has the support and resources it needs to plan ahead, engage residents and put this property on a path toward productive redevelopment,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This funding will help the town take the next steps and plan for a strong future for the site.”

“Hampshire College has long been a major employer and property owner in Amherst, and its closure will create significant economic impacts within the community,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, Chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors. “By acting quickly and helping Amherst plan for the future of this property, MassDevelopment is giving the community the tools to attract new investment, create jobs and housing, and position the campus for productive reuse.”

“MassDevelopment stands ready to help communities identify and access the kind of expertise they need to plan for the future of a closing campus,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “This partnership enables the agency to leverage our pool of consultants to deliver specialized technical assistance and support to meet the needs of the community. In Amherst, we’ve contracted with Horsley Witten Group and U3 Advisors to help municipal leaders undertake a zoning study that will enable future economic development at the Hampshire College property.”

Today’s $175,000 award will fund the next phase of technical assistance for the Town of Amherst. MassDevelopment has contracted with Horsley Witten Group and U3 Advisors to conduct a detailed site analysis, additional community engagement including charrette-style planning activities, a fiscal evaluation, and preparation of a proposed zoning bylaw and district designed to support redevelopment of the campus.

The work builds on a $75,000 grant MassDevelopment awarded in May 2026 through its Real Estate Services Technical Assistance Program. That initial phase included a rapid assessment of the property and stakeholder engagement, including site evaluation, stakeholder interviews, market research, development of a dedicated project website, and an informational webinar held in July.

Approximately 600 acres, or three-quarters of the Hampshire College campus, are located in Amherst, with the remainder in Hadley. The Amherst portion of the campus is currently zoned for educational use, which does not allow uses such as housing, commercial, or mixed-use development. The zoning study will help the town evaluate potential new uses and establish a framework for future redevelopment.

The Amherst award is part of a broader MassDevelopment effort to assist communities affected by private college closures. In June 2026, the agency dedicated funding from the state’s Site Readiness Program to help communities plan for sustainable reuse of these properties. Eligible communities include Amherst, Great Barrington, Hadley, and Paxton, as well as nonprofit colleges and educational institutions within those communities. Grants range from $25,000 to $250,000.

MassDevelopment strengthens communities and advances economic opportunity across Massachusetts through financing, real estate services, and technical assistance. Working with businesses, nonprofits, developers, lenders, and municipalities, the agency financed or managed 538 projects in fiscal year 2026, generating more than $6.52 billion in investment, supporting an estimated 42,113 jobs, and helping create or preserve 4,355 housing units.