The recently passed economic stimulus package totaling $46 million is now on its way to Governor Patrick’s desk. Aside from the $16 million Gateway Cities Transformative Development Fund, the addition of $10 million to the states’ Brownfield Redevelopment Fund, and $20 million into the Housing Development Incentive Program, the bill included many other appropriations that will have a direct impact on the Gateway Cities.
Below is a rundown of the allocations to Gateway Cities included in the bill:
• The Pynchon building in Springfield receives $1 million for restoration, renovation, and design as part of the Transformative Development Fund.
• The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston will receive funds to expand the Working Cities Challenge program which seeks to provide multi-year support to initiatives that advance cross-sector 59 collaboration among the public, private and non-profit sectors.
• $1 Million to fund a statewide college and career readiness program to be implemented by JFYNetworks, to reduce the number of remedial developmental courses students are required to take at community colleges.
• The cities of Fall River and New Bedford are the subjects of a $100,000 to investigate both the “chronically high levels of unemployment and poverty” and the “chronically low levels of educational attainment.” A comprehensive strategy will be developed to address the issues.
• Holyoke Works will receive $50,000 in the city of Holyoke to address the cities’ concerns of low-skilled and older workers.
• Lawrence Partnership Inc. will receive $50,000 for their public and private sector collaboration towards the economic development of Lawrence.
• The Innovation Hub of University of Massachusetts at Lowell as part of the Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation will receive $3 million to allow candidates on nonimmigrant visas the opportunity to remain in the Commonwealth while pursuing training in entrepreneurship.
• University of Massachusetts at Lowell will receive $1.5 million for growth in manufacturing training and technology assistance.
• New Bedford receives almost $3.5 million for the Zeiterion Theater and AHA! Arts, History and Architecture in a stimulus plan towards economic development in art and culture of New Bedford’s downtown seaport cultural district.
• The Berkshire Theatre Group of Pittsfield is schedule to receive $50,000 for the completion of renovations on the warehouse space next to city’s Colonial Theatre, with plans to create a convention center.
• The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority is permitted to begin a feasibility study regarding the future use of the Civic Center Garage in Springfield.
• The “Court of Dreams” project receives $250,000 in a feasibility study examining the potential transformation of the former York Street Jail into a basketball court hosting year-round tournaments in Springfield.
• The former Paul A. Dever State School of Taunton is granted $50,000 for its start-up operational costs as it transfers into a life sciences, education and training center as part of the Transformative Development Fund.
• The city of Worcester will employ partnerships through a $75,000 grant aiding their development, outreach, and coordination.