About Linda
Collaboration has always been at the heart of the way Linda Balzotti approaches government.
As Brockton’s first female Mayor, Balzotti has focused on building and enhancing partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations. Those partnerships have yielded results on several fronts: from a coordinated approach to curbing street violence which resulted in three large-scale drug raids that netted more than 60 suspects; preserving $1.5 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding for Brockton that would have been awarded to another community; and Brockton’s designation as a pilot community for the state’s Brownfield Support Team initiative and $165,000 in Community Service Special Project Block Grants from the Department of Housing and Community Development.
From her time as a member of the City Council, Balzotti worked to represent the interests of the residents of the city while partnering with her colleagues to move Brockton forward.
Upon being sworn in as Mayor, Balzotti expanded this by instituting task forces of residents, officials, and experts, to explore the city’s five most pressing issues: education and workforce development; street violence; public safety; economic development; and neighborhood stabilizations. The findings and recommendations of those task forces are being incorporated into development plans for Brockton’s future.
Development requires investment, and as Mayor, Balzotti has worked to foster interest in Brockton. She also dissolved the controversial Build A Better Brockton Agency and re-established the Brockton Redevelopment Authority to oversee the dispersing of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds received by the city. Had the change not taken place, $1.5 million in funding awarded to Brockton through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) would have been lost. In the last 18 months the city has proposals for an $8 million housing project downtown; a $100 million redevelopment of the Enterprise Building, and adjacent acreage; and the $13 million expansion of Westgate Mall by New England Development.
Completed efforts include: a $20 million investment by Bernardi Auto Group on Manley Street; and a $7-8 million investment at 560 Oak Street for the relocation of NorthEast Electrical Distributors; the opening of a new Panera Bread location and a CVS pharmacy, both on Belmont Street.
Prior to being elected Mayor, Balzotti served as a member of the City Council for 12 years, one year as President (2000-2001). She also served as a member of the Planning Board for six years.
Balzotti’s three years as a legislative aide to a state representative gives her a unique perspective and insight on how the legislature and state government works.
A lifelong Brocktonian, Balzotti is a graduate of Brockton High School, and has a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.
