Welcome

With a population of approximately 100,000, the City of New Bedford is the world’s most famous whaling era seaport and the number one fishing port in America. This city is a wonderfully diverse, culturally rich community with a proud present, past and future.

Children can obtain a high-quality education in the New Bedford Public Schools System. Individuals pursuing higher education can do so at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth or Bristol Community College, both conveniently offer a downtown New Bedford campus.

New Bedford is dotted with beautifully maintained parks and public beaches. Our neighborhood restaurants, cafés, and bistros feature delicious ethnic cuisines. Visit the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park, Whaling Museum, unique shops and galleries in our downtown historic district. New Bedford offers an unbeatable quality of life and is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Email: Mayor.Mitchell@newbedford-ma.gov

 

Mayor’s Office News

 

City’s Annual Dr. King Program to be Held Sunday

NEW BEDFORD – The City’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Community Program will be held on Sunday, Jan. 19 from 3-4:30 p.m. at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 136 Rivet St. Sponsored by the City’s Department of Community Services and its Human Rights Commission, and the Office of […]

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Community Preservation Act Applications to be Presented at Virtual Public Meetings

NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) invite all interested members of the public to review the FY25 Community Preservation Act (CPA) applications submitted for funding consideration, and to provide public comment at three virtual public meetings in January. The FY25 application process began in September with […]

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Melville Statue Design Unveiled at Seamen’s Bethel

Acclaimed Sculptor Stefanie Rocknak Selected From 41 Applicants NEW BEDFORD – As told in Chapter 9 of Herman Melville’s literary epic Moby-Dick, Ishmael and Queequeg sat in the Whaleman’s Chapel in New Bedford and listened as Father Mapple offered a sermon about Jonah, who was swallowed by a whale but […]

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City Announces Festivities for New Year’s Eve

Annual City Celebrates Event Kicks Off at 5 p.m. with Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. NEW BEDFORD – The City will host its annual City Celebrates New Year’s Eve event with family-friendly activities throughout Downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free activities will take place indoors at several locations across Downtown, and […]

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Public/Private Partnership Turns Derelict Building into New Housing Development

NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell was joined by Richard Lafrance and other members of the Lafrance family, and other state and local officials Tuesday morning to celebrate the opening of Downtown’s latest success story, the Eighteen & Union housing development. Developed by Lafrance Hospitality, Eighteen & Union involved the […]

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Fisheries Council Follows Mayor’s Recommendation in Approving Scalloping Measure

NEWPORT, R.I. – The New England Fisheries Management Council signed off on Framework 39 during its meeting Thursday, following recommendations from Mayor Jon Mitchell and the Fisheries Survival Fund on behalf of New Bedford’s scalloping industry. “The scallop industry is a cornerstone of New Bedford’s economy, supporting not only fishermen […]

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DPI Hosting Public Meeting on Coggeshall Sewer Project

NEW BEDFORD – The City’s Department of Public Infrastructure will be hosting a hybrid public information session on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Hayden-McFadden Elementary School to discuss the Coggeshall Phase 3 Sewer Separation project. Interested parties can attend in person or online. Registration is not required […]

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City Kicks Off Holiday Parking Program

2 Hours of Free Parking in Downtown Garages and at North End Meters Along Acushnet Avenue During December NEW BEDFORD – The City’s Holiday Parking Program is back in full swing this year, offering two hours of free parking at both the Elm Street Garage and the Zeiterion Garage Downtown, […]

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Celebrate the Holidays in New Bedford

Highlights Include Downtown Tree Lighting on Dec. 7, Clasky Common Tree Lighting on Dec. 8, and AHA! Starry Night on Dec. 12 NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell announced that the City’s holiday season will kick off on Saturday, Dec. 7 with the annual Downtown Tree Lighting. Explore New Bedford […]

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Joint Investment Between City and Vineyard Wind Reboots Business Development Hub

Third Project Focused on New Business Development Unveiled This Year NEW BEDFORD – Mayor Jon Mitchell was joined by Vineyard Wind CEO Klaus Moeller, Avangrid Chief Development Officer Ken Kimmell, New Bedford Economic Development Council Executive Director Derek Santos, New Bedford Ocean Cluster Executive Director Jennifer Downing and other officials Monday […]

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Drought Prompts Ban on Most Nonessential Outdoor Water Uses

NEW BEDFORD – Consistent with a statewide directive, the City is prohibiting nonessential outdoor water uses, namely sprinkler systems, on account of the drought conditions across the Northeast. The restriction will remain in effect until further notice. The water restriction comes on the heels of the state declaring Significant Drought […]

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Two City Precincts Randomly Chosen for Statewide Post-Election Audit

NEW BEDFORD – Two City precincts were randomly chosen to be part of a statewide post-election audit. Seventy-two precincts were chosen at random across the state, including precincts in Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Acushnet. Ward 5, Precinct B, and Ward 6, Precinct B, were randomly selected to be audited by hand […]

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