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The Town of Ayer Massachusetts
grew up around the railroad industry in the 1840's and the railroad continued
as a major force in shaping Ayer's economy through the early 1900's. Railroad
switching yards, tanneries and mills prospered as a result of railroad
transportation in the area which is now the Central Business District.
Ayer is served by commuter rail service
today and the town is within easy access of three major roadways, I-495,
I-290 and Route 2. While Ayer is primarily residential, the close proximity
to these major transportation links fueled industrial development throughout
the town which made the manufacturing industry the largest employers in
the town in the 1980's. However, by 1990, the service sector had become
the community's largest employer, followed closely by retail trade employment.
Commercial activity and retail activity
has continued to expand in Ayer. The town is one of the four communities
that serves as a host to Fort Devens, a major influence on the town. Fort
Devens employs almost 8,000 people and has been a major factor in the local
and regional economy. The pending closing of Fort Devens will have a profound
impact on Ayer and the town is seeking to address and mitigate this impact
as well as the effect of recent increases in poverty and decreases in population.
Ayer is located in Northeastern Massachusetts,
bordered by Shirley on the west, Groton on the north, Littleton on the
east, and Harvard on the south. Ayer is located 27 miles northeast of Worcester,
35 miles northwest of Boston. |