The rating on Hopkinton, Mass.' bonds reflects: * Rapidly growing residential taxpayer base, * Above-average wealth, * Consistent sound financial operations, and * Moderate debt burden with strong voter support. Hopkinton is located 26 miles from Boston along an extensive transportation network. Residents have access to employment opportunities in the broader region that includes the town's computer technology firms. EMC Inc., a supplier of information storage technology, is a leading employer (1,100 employees) and taxpayer (2.3% of assessed value). By 2002, the company plans to significantly expand operations and projects future employment of 6,200. Despite impressive population growth that brings the total to 12,600 residents, the town still has available land for commercial and residential development. Upward pressure on single-family
