FAQ

MEDC works with site selectors, developers, investors, and businesses to help them enter, establish and expand in the City of Marlborough, MA. We do this in order to facilitate and foster economic development, improve the quality of life for local residents and, ultimately, lower the residential tax rate by expanding the commercial tax base. Learn more about MEDC and how we can help you.

No. MEDC is a public-private partnership operating as a sec. 501(c) nonprofit corporation, established by state legislation, Chapter 40 of the Acts of 2007. So, while we work closely with the Marlborough Mayor and City Council, we operate independently from them. Learn more about MEDC.

MEDC is funded through an annual transfer from the City of Marlborough’s economic development fund. The account is financed through a 2% local option hotel rooms tax, which was approved and implemented by the Marlborough City Council in 2010.

TIF stands for Tax Increment Financing. It is an economic development tool that allows municipalities to offer tailored property tax breaks to companies or developers that are looking to invest in an area, in exchange for long-term job creation and commercial tax base expansion.

Split-rate tax allows a property to be taxed on two separate rates—one for the land value and one for the building value. Lower rates on buildings encourage owners to maintain them well, while high rates on land discourage land speculation. As a result, properties are built with quality materials and kept in good repair, while land is used more efficiently and in tandem with new or existing infrastructure.

The City of Marlborough commercial tax rate for Fiscal Year 2017 is 26.41%. It has fallen 9% since FY2012. For historical tax rates, visit the City of Marlborough website.

The City of Marlborough residential tax rate for Fiscal Year 2017 is 15.32%. It has fallen 4.9% since FY2014. For historical tax rates, visit the City of Marlborough website.

For detailed instructions on how to apply for an outdoor seating license in Marlborough, visit our Resources page or go directly to the guidebook.

Liquor licenses are obtained through the City of Marlborough Licensing Board. You can find their information and relevant links here.

The City of Marlborough Office of Inspectional Services handles all permit requests. Information and applications can be found here.

A zoning ordinance is a local law that specifies whether a certain geographic area can be used for commercial or residential purposes. Ordinances also regulate various details about the types of structures that can be built within the zone, including height, placement, size, allowable use, parking requirements, and more. For an example, see the City of Marlborough’s Downtown Village District zoning ordinance.

A Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) is a collection of local moneys that are borrowed by business owners, recycled through repayment and re-used by future borrowers. The Marlborough Area Community Loan Fund is an RLF program that allows companies to secure “gap financing,” which provides a bridge between the funding they have obtained through a private lender and the actual amount they need to start or sustain a business. Learn more about the Marlborough RLF and MEDC’s other financial incentives programs.

The Marlborough Economic Development Toolbox provides small business owners and entrepreneurs with the financial resources they need to start, expand, or improve their businesses. The programs have varying eligibility requirements and defray cost through gap financing, tax reimbursements, rental assistance, and beautification grants. Find out whether you qualify and learn how to apply for any of the Marlborough Economic Development Toolbox programs.

Under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 43D, priority development sites are designated parcels that offer businesses expedited permitting within 180 days of application. Companies that choose to locate at one of the four such sites in the City of Marlborough will also benefit from Tax Increment Financing (TIF), strong support for an Investment Tax Credit application, strategic location off I-495, state-of-the-art infrastructure, pro-business community, and an abundance of city amenities. Learn more about priority development sites.

Massachusetts municipalities have the option of collecting a 0.75% tax on meals sold in dining establishments within their district. This tax is charged to purchasers as a separate line item and is collected annually from all vendors. Marlborough implemented the local option meals tax in 2014, in order to raise funds for the upkeep, upgrade and building of new athletic fields across the city. All money is deposited into Marlborough’s Parks and Fields Development Special Revenue Fund, which had a balance of $462,000 within the first 6 months of tax collection.

If you are planning a development in the City of Marlborough, and wish to prepare for a site plan review, please contact MEDC, so we can help guide you through the process. Be sure to read through our step-by-step site plan review guide and familiarize yourself with the City of Marlborough Zoning, Site Plan Regulations, Site Plan Application, Landscape Checklist, and Site Plan Review Checklist.