Bellingham is a moderate sized residential community situated on the southwestern semi-rural fringe of metropolitan Boston. Although settled since the colonial era, the town has never experienced any prolonged periods of intensive industrial or commercial development. Bellingham evolved from agricultural village to rural small town and to bedroom suburb without becoming an important economic center. However, this pattern of unbalanced growth is now changing.
The dramatic upsurge in business activity in Bellingham is a consequence of many factors. Certainly the heavy development of Boston's inner suburbs, and especially the towns along Route 128 with the accompanying problems of land shortages, rising prices and congestion have led business decision-makers to look to the I-495 area. Additionally, Bellingham has a much improved business climate, the result of changing local attitudes and improvements in public infrastructure. The town is also attracting able and committed developers. Unlike the past, Bellingham is now prepared for and strongly interested in economic growth.
Bellingham also has a strong commitment to providing good municipal services. This commitment is best typified by the recent construction of a new library, fire station and elementary school, as well as recent improvements in the town's playgrounds and ball fields.
