NEW BEDFORD - Governor Charlie Baker is naming MassDevelopment as the manager of New Bedford's State Pier.

New Bedford State Senator Mark Montigny filed legislation earlier this year authorizing the state Department of Conservation and Recreation to lease the State Pier to MassDevelopment.

Montigny tells WBSM News, he's glad Governor Baker is putting MassDevelopment in charge. "We've got the Governor on our side. So my legislation to bond it and to make it mixed use and to have MassDevelopment involved will be implemented and I'm very, very excited about it," said Montigny.

Montigny says MassDevelopment is uniquely qualified to oversee the operations of what he calls a "mismanaged and underutilized" facility. He adds MassDevelopment will work to bring the pier to it's maximum potential for mixed commercial and industrial use.

"We don't know exactly what that will be in the end, but it will still include things that are there like cargo, but better. Like the Fast Ferry service to Nantucket and the Vineyard. But there's all this wasted space that could be utilized as a major development project."

MassDevelopment has also been chosen to manage the Fall River State Pier.

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