About two years ago, the city transferred the 160 acres to the Fall River Redevelopment Authority in hopes that it could more effectively drum up much-needed business in this area. The Authority went through an urban renewal plan and today three of the 11 parcels that comprise the former airport site are under development. Town officials tell GlobeSt.com that there is interest in a number of the other parcels as well.

"The Redevelopment Authority has been aggressively marketing this property," says Jim Hartnett, director of planning for this city. Part of the marketing program has included a tax-financing program and a pre-permitting process to lure developers to this area, which has been renamed the Fall River Commerce Park.

And developers are taking the bait. Main Street Textiles has built a 700,000-sf manufacturing facility here. A.J. Wright has developed a 300,000-sf distribution center, which it is in the process of expanding. A new fire station complex has also been developed here that comprises three buildings and a fire tower. Hartnett says that eight parcels, ranging in size from 11 to 35 acres are still available.