Town of
Amherst
MA
SWOT ANALYSIS
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SWOT Analysis of Amherst, MA: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, Study notes of Business Strategy
A SWOT analysis of Amherst, MA, including its strengths such as being the home of UMass and two highly regarded colleges, vibrant residents, and many cultural attractions. Weaknesses include competition from Boston area for students and start-ups, potential loss of historic character, and complex permitting process. Opportunities include balancing historic character with economic development, expanding cultural tourism, and investigating potential new business clusters. Threats include increased competition from UMass and Northampton, increased traffic congestion, and ongoing marketing competition.
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2021/2022
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Town ofAmherstMA
SWOT ANALYSIS
SWOT ANALYSIS
HELPFUL
HARMFUL
INTERNAL
Strengths
Weaknesses
EXTERNAL
Opportunities
Threats
RKG Housing Market Study (2015)
Housing Production Plan (2013)
Amherst BID - Student TrendsAnalysis (2016)
U3 Advisors Report (2014)
Amherst Master Plan (2010)
Amherst Preservation Plan (2005)
Amherst Open Space andRecreation Plan (Draft, 2003)
Zoning Bylaw
Permitting Process
Developing the SWOT:
Selected Plans/Reports 2003-
Developing the SWOT:
Recent / Current Development Projects
General Town-wide Analysis
Tourism & Entertainment
Business & Entrepreneurship
SWOT CATEGORIES
Home of UMass flagshipcampus and two highlyregarded colleges
Vibrant, diverse residents,students and faculty of allages
Many cultural attractions
Productive farmland
Recreational open space
Appealing, thriving, historicNew England town center inthe Connecticut River Valley
Town of Amherst
Strengths
Somewhat isolatedfrom region
Recommended zoningbylaw updates andoverhaul notundertaken
Permitting processnot streamlined
Town of Amherst
Weaknesses
and
Threats
Competition from Bostonarea for students andstart-ups
Risk of losing populationand businesses
Demographic trends andchanges in highereducation could result inlower studentenrollments
Potential loss of historiccharacter
New Town Council form ofgovernment
Expand cultural tourism
High-tech spinoffs fromUniversity
New retail shops
Investigate potential:
More educational supportservices?
Agricultural products?
Other businessclusters/industries?
Town of Amherst
Opportunities
Carefully balance historic character of Town with the needto consider economicdevelopment” -Amherst Master Plan, 2010
Popular destination – arange of cultural, historicand recreationalattractions
Estimated 305,000visitors/year, includingMullins Center & Fine ArtsCenter
Includes est. 75,000 tonon-UMass attractions inAmherst
Dining destination ($8 m.surplus)
Tourism and Entertainment
:
Strengths
Summer events oncampuses:
Conferences incl.Northeast OrganicFarming Association(NOFA) conference
Ko Festival ofPerformance
Local events:
Taste of Amherst
Block Party
Restaurant Week
And more…
Tourism and Entertainment
:
Strengths, cont’d
80 miles of hiking trails; Mt.Holyoke Range State Park
Art-house cinema
Arts Night Plus
12 Inns and traditional B&Bs plus 70+ Airbnbs
116 rooms - Hotel UMass
80 Restaurants and Drinking Establishments
Marketing:
Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council website:^ www.visithampshirecounty.com
www.Museums10.org
Five Colleges portal:
www.fivecolleges.edu
Tourism and Entertainment
:
Strengths, cont’d
Competition from UMass -parking sites remote from towncenter
Insufficient marketing budgetsfor chamber, BID, HampshireRegional Tourism Council
Lack of evening activitiesdowntown (other thanrestaurants)
Distance: 17-20 minutes fromI-91 exits; 25-30 min. fromNorthampton and Greenfield;45 min. from Springfield
Perception of lack of parking
Tourism and Entertainment
:
Weaknesses
Increased and morecoordinated marketing:
Among local attractions
University & downtownpartnerships (example: Fine ArtsCenter – FAC - dining card)
Tourism and Entertainment
:
Opportunities
Potential downtownperformance venue
Feedback
and Questions
Welcome!
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