Gloucester Council Approves Applied Materials Expansion, Eyes 800 New Jobs

Select Board · Meeting of May 14, 2026

Gloucester City Council voted 9-0 to approve a building-height special permit for an Applied Materials logistics expansion at 11 Dory Road that company officials say could grow the firm's local workforce from 1,200 to 2,000 employees within 10 years. Project Manager John Goodwin told the council the new U-shaped facility — which will be the largest building on Cape Ann at roughly 690 feet wide — requires a 47-foot-9-inch parapet height to accommodate interior automation equipment clearances. The council also approved a parking license for Essex-by-the-River LLC at 2 Beachland Avenue covering 225 spaces through April 30, 2031, with 14 conditions including mandatory beach cleanup at Long Beach and a 9 p.m. closing time.

In budget business, Councilor Scott Memhard presented year-end special budgetary transfers totaling $1,444,231.35 to close FY2026 account deficits — less than 1 percent of the city's $153 million combined budget, per City Auditor Kenny Costa — and the council accepted a $680,963 Community Development Block Grant and a $50,000 library early learning center grant. The council also reconstituted the Mariners Medal Committee with four members including veteran fisherman Vito Gigoloni and sector manager David Lavelle, citing the recent sinking of the fishing vessel Lily Jean.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of May 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.