Correction: Brockton Beer announced it will not be closing after all. Read more here.

A TOAST TO BROCKTON BEER

Brockton Beer closed its doors for the final time this past Saturday. Losing this Black-owned business in the heart of a revitalizing downtown is painful. It is also a clear-cut example of why we need to establish a Downtown Vitality Fund. Provisions from this bill are still in play on Beacon Hill, with conferees working overtime to craft a compromise economic development package.

First filed by the chairs of the Gateway Cities legislative caucus in January 2022, the Downtown Vitality Fund would provide critical support to local efforts to market, brand, and activate commercial areas throughout our commonwealth. These downtowns and main street districts are essential to local economies. By providing places for neighbors to gather for social connection and support, they also give communities invaluable social infrastructure.

Amidst this housing crisis, such a fund would be an especially crucial tool. Downtown Brockton and other historic mill cities are seeing housing development for the first time. These are highly efficient places to accommodate growth because they have existing infrastructure, including strong connections to public transit. But we must prove that they can offer attractive places to live for the market to respond fully to this opportunity.

The creation of dense residential areas is unlikely to create street-level activity without cultivation. This is because today’s digital world is a ruthless foe. Online retailers siphon sales from storefront businesses. In the cool winter months, many find streaming to be more enticing than a night on the town, and home delivery more convenient than driving. Local businesses need walkable places and amenity clusters, as in “15-minute neighborhoods”, to generate foot traffic.

While small business owners can find creative ways to draw patrons, very few small business districts have resources to mount a unified response that would have greater reach and impact. This is particularly the case in communities of color that lack generational wealth. The Downtown Vitality Fund would provide modest state matching funds to help support collective efforts locally through district management organizations with professional staff such as main street associations and Business Improvement Districts. This is a sound investment. Massachusetts is spending heavily to stimulate housing development in cities like Brockton. It also provides technical assistance and capital directly to small businesses. Ensuring that commercial areas have funding for a range of services that make them more inviting is a small premium that will safeguard and leverage these investments.

While their business is no more, the founders of Brockton Beer deserve the utmost recognition and respect. They bridged cultural divides and united a community. We can honor them by working to ensure that others who follow in their path have the backing of robust district management organizations.

HOUSING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Fall River bans homeless encampments.

The oldest mill complex in Lawrence is now the first all-electric apartment complex in the state.

Lowell is on the move.

The state inspector general issues a damning 138-page report on UMass Dartmouth’s arts college in New Bedford, calling out UMass, the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, and Sen. Mark Montigny.

The MA Clean Energy Center chooses a site for the Ocean Renewal Energy Innovation Center on New Bedford Harbor.

Worcester wants to reevaluate the city’s relationship with colleges to keep property on the municipal tax rolls.

The Executive Director of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District is stepping down.

Missing middle housing opponents are missing important facts.

EDUCATION 

The Lynn superintendent of schools writes a letter to the state commissioner of education opposing expansion of charter schools in the community.

The MassMutual Foundation donates $1 million toward the new Square One early childhood center in Springfield.

The latest MCAS results show flat or declining achievement.

The Great Schools Partnership hosts a Western Mass educator diversity summit next Saturday.

TRANSPORTATION 

With looming budget deficits, the MBTA’s general manager says you cannot fund the system on the backs of riders.

Foreshadowing our school-centered neighborhood development report, The Atlantic says school pickup and drop-off traffic is a social crisis.

Registration closes today for the 2024 Moving Together Conference.

COMMUNITIES & PEOPLE 

Our condolences to the family of Mayor Neil Perry and the people of Methuen as we mourn the loss of a devoted public servant and Gateway City leader.

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