Art And Culture Helping New Bedford Grow

If you ask members of the downtown community, you can thank New Bedford's heavy art and cultural influence for much of the city's growth.

City and state officials spoke at UMass Dartmouth's College of Visual and Performing Arts downtown about the impact of funding on local businesses and the city's improving culture.

UMass Visual and Performing Arts Dean, Adrian Tio said the number of students at UMass and BCC's downtown campuses has helped with the area's boost seen in recent years.

Many of the presenters credited the Universities with transforming downtown, with over 3,000 students attending BCC's New Bedford campus alone.