About the Plymouth Foundation
Driving Sustainable Growth for the Future
Welcome to The Plymouth Foundation, an independent 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to driving sustainable economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in our region. For over 400 years, Plymouth has been a place of opportunity. As we look ahead, The Plymouth Foundation is setting our sights on a prosperous future for the next 400 years.
Our Mission: Fostering Economic Opportunity
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to foster a thriving economy that supports smart growth, job creation, and a vibrant commercial base. We partner with local government, business leaders, and advocacy groups to ensure Plymouth remains not only an ideal place to live and visit, but also an attractive and strategic location for businesses to build, grow, and succeed.
Plymouth: A Place for Business
Plymouth is already renowned for its rich history, natural beauty, and livability, but the Foundation is committed to expanding its reputation as a hub for innovation and business development. Whether you’re looking to relocate, expand, or start a business, we offer valuable insights and personalized support to help you navigate regulatory and permitting processes, making Plymouth a welcoming environment for businesses of all sizes.
Experienced Leadership with Deep Local Ties
Our leadership team, guided by an experienced Executive Director and a passionate Board of Directors, brings decades of expertise, strong local connections, and a deep understanding of Plymouth’s economic landscape. Many of our Board members are or have been business owners themselves, and they know what it takes to succeed. From providing strategic guidance to helping you access essential resources, we are here to ensure your business thrives in Plymouth.
Balanced Growth: A Vision for the Future
At The Plymouth Foundation, we are committed to thoughtful growth. We evaluate business opportunities through the lens of community compatibility, carefully considering how new ventures align with Plymouth’s goal of balanced development. This includes preserving our natural resources and open spaces, while thoughtfully expanding our commercial and industrial sectors. We also stay ahead of the curve by commissioning market trend studies, exploring emerging technologies, and shaping workforce development strategies to meet the needs of the future.
Why Plymouth? A Community of Opportunity
As Plymouth continues to evolve, The Plymouth Foundation plays a key role in making it an even better place to live, work, and grow. We invite you to explore the possibilities in Plymouth — a town where community, innovation, and opportunity thrive.
Stephen T. Cole, Executive Director
Stephen Cole has experienced, firsthand, what it takes to nurture economic development and catalyze economic growth. In Springfield, he worked alongside fiscal and economic development authorities to restore fiscal stability. In Hartford, he managed the Obama Administration’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities program, a $1 million competition to nurture entrepreneurial activity. He is data driven. He has commissioned a study with the UMASS Donahue Institute that will position Plymouth for the future with industries like AI, quantum computing research and development, and grid-scale energy storage as well as Marine Tech and Trade. Because of Plymouth’s location, it has a highly skilled and educated workforce, and the attraction of a highly desirable lifestyle, The Plymouth Foundation is helping to attract these industries in greater Plymouth.
Board of Directors
The Plymouth Foundation’s 13 Board members each bring distinctive expertise to the Foundation’s work. The Board concentrates on traditional economic strategies such as land use, workforce development, and small business development. In addition, the board works to foster meaningful relationships with the region’s entrepreneurs and innovators. The board plays an integral role in the welcome and nurture of new and prospective businesses to Plymouth. Board members recognize Greater Plymouth’s unique assets which put the region in a position of strength. They are also committed to advancing the global tourism opportunities afforded by Plymouth’s 400-year history and the numerous businesses that enhance the visitor experience.
Foundation President. Owner, Shiretown Glass & Home Center
William Hallisey
Foundation Vice President, Owner, Woods Seafood
Jay Kimball
Foundation Assistant Treasurer. Operations Manager, Triple M
Kevin O’Reilly
Town of Plymouth, Town Manager
Derek Brindisi
Town of Plymouth, Director of Planning & community Development
Lee Hartmann
Town of Plymouth, Chairman of the Selectboard
Dick Quintal
Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Amy Naples
President of Massasoit Community College (ret.)
Charles Wall
State Representative, Plymouth 1st District
Matt Muratore
Banking and Finance (ret.)
Jack Meehl
Principal Lecturer at Northeastern University. Owner, Shea Vance, LLC.
Dee Spencer
President, MEGRYCO, Inc.
Rick Vayo
Board Members Emeritus
Foundation Clerk. Banking and Finance (ret.)
Ed Santos
Regional Partners
The Community
Plymouth, Massachusetts is a town of 60,000 residents, with a town manager and town meeting form of government. This growing community is known for its unparalleled natural beauty, vast coastline, and abundant open spaces. Lesser known, its cost of living is significantly less than other New England towns. Its location—with proximity to Boston, Quincy, Fall River, New Bedford, and Providence—is a major attractor to many growth industries. Plymouth’s zoning and permitting process is modernized and ready to accommodate new types of investment. The community, being home to the now-decommissioned Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, has a significant core of scientists, engineers, and power operators in its midst. As a post-nuclear city, Plymouth will be uniquely positioned to pivot to digital and quantum economies with the necessary land-use, permitting policies and incentives in place.