The Economic Development Department put together this webpage to highlight the small businesses in town.

Shopping local was never more important than NOW! Please remember during these tough times our local shops and restaurants need us now more than ever. During the next few months when you are looking for holiday presents or are looking to enjoy a delicious dinner, think ASHLAND! There is so much right here in your own backyard!

If you shop or dine local in town let us know! Tag @TownofAshlandMA on Facebook or Instagram, share the love and spread the news that Ashland is not only a great place to live, work but is the best place to play, eat and shop!

The long-awaited downtown construction project will officially begin in early January. The contractor, P. Gioioso & Sons Inc. will complete the project in two phases. The construction project limits are Main Street- Myrtle Street (Mill Pond Dam) to slightly beyond Summer Street and Front Street- Main Street to approximately Ashland Lumber.

The scope of the project includes: upgrade traffic signals, sidewalks, and crosswalks, mill and resurface pavement, furnish and install trees, furnish and install ornamental street lights, underground the utilities (Electric, Cable, Fiber, and others), and remove the utility poles.

The first steps 1-4 include: Test Pits and relocate water services, install electrical vaults (Eversource), install manholes for other utilities, and install conduits.

The work will occur overnight and with at least one side at a time, in efforts to minimally impact traffic patterns and local business’ operations. Construction over the winter traditionally is not ideal, the contractors hope to move swiftly during this reduction in traffic due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Town of Ashland’s Communications Team will continuously alert residents and business owners with project updates.

For more information regarding this project visit the designated webpage here

AREA- Ashland Residents for Equity & Action

We would like to introduce you to the group AREA, Ashland

Residents for Equity and Action. AREA is a group of people of color and their allies in Ashland working together to ensure that their voices are represented in local civic organizations, government, and schools.

They support and promote people of color-run businesses in Metrowest as engines of economic development that benefit the community at large. AREA is committed to working with the Ashland Public School systems to ensure an equitable education for all students.

Through community action, AREA wants to make Ashland a safe and inclusive community for all.

AREA would love to have you involved! Please visit their website at https://www.ashlandequity.org/.

Contact the group to participate in their efforts to make Ashland an equitable community for us all.

Seniors, pay $4 per meal in advance by calling 508-881-0140 extension 1 to order your meal. You may drop off payment at the Community Center, or mail a check. All orders must be submitted by 3 pm on Thursday for lunch the following Monday.

12/21 FREE- Lasagna

1/11 Stuffed Pepper

1/25 Ham with Macaroni and Cheese

We need your input as Ashland seeks to update its 2015 Housing Production Plan to further increase housing, diversity, affordability, and opportunity in town. The update will also focus on implementing one of the recommendations from the 2015 HPP- to establish a town-wide inclusionary zoning bylaw.

Join the Ashland Planning Department and MAPC to share your thoughts and help shape Ashland's housing goals and the future of our community.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

ACT and WACA TV will partner with The Prana Center to present a short play called Ho Ho Ho! The Santa Claus Chronicles, directed by Julie Murphy.

Ashland Fire Department, Ashland Police Department, Santa, and Sparky spent several hours visiting neighbors to kick off the holiday season on Friday, December 11th.

Originally, Santa was to visit the north and south ends of town over both Saturday and Sunday, but when he saw the weather, he scheduled a special visit on Friday, before safely heading back to the North Pole.

Thank you to everyone that made this special holiday tradition possible!

Ashland Community Center Staff and volunteers successfully coordinated donations and helped 98 families for the December holiday program and 68 families for Thanksgiving!

This past Sunday, the Friends of the Ashland Public Libary creatively held their first book sale since March. Tying into the holiday theme, the Friends encouraged residents to pick up "packages tied up in tape" and enjoy books, one of our favorite things.

The Friends pre-packaged grab bags containing books safely sealed days prior to the book sale. Residents picked up bags pertaining to their favorite genre.

The Friends raised funds for programming at the library.

Don't forget to check out the Little Libraries all around town!

Any questions, please contact the Friends at president@friendsoftheapl.org

Blush Bouquets sold approximately 82 luminary kits for the annual Illuminate Downtown Ashland holiday event. The luminary kit sale raising $562 for the Ashland Emergency Fund.

Over 100 residents tuned in to Illuminate Downtown Ashland on Friday, December 5th, enjoying performances during the perfectly snowy winter night!

Thank you, organizers- Chrissy Reynolds and Annemarie's Dance Center Staff, Steve Mitchell and Arts! Ashland Alliance, Cliff Wilson and Ashland Historical Society, Lisa Churchill and Blush Bouquets, Beth Reynolds, Ashley Place, and performers- Annemarie's Dancers, Felice Pomeranz- The Gilded Harps, Joe Stillitano, and NATyA Dance Collective.

Thank you Ashland Business Association for bringing laughter into so many homes last week! Kudos to Corey Rodrigues and Kelly MacFarland for your performances. Thank you to all of the attendees for your donations to the ABA scholarship fund and The Ashland Emergency Fund.