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Half an ocean away

The MassCJRC Journal

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston was racing east across the Southern ocean two weeks ahead of his nearest competitor when the winds inexplicably turned to face him head-on for 12 consecutive days. It was 1968; he’d been at sea on his own for five months, attempting to win the first solo around the world race. Facing these

Where there’s a will, is there a way?

The Gateway Cities Journal

There exists a very strong will to rebuild our Gateway Cities. This is evident in all of the creative approaches these communities are taking to sow growth and opportunity. But every will needs a way. Because we make it nearly impossible for local governments to generate revenue to invest in themselves (and the federal government

FY 2019 Budget Lends Support to the “Gateway City Fare” Concept

Shows support for more equitable access to public transit

In a show of support for more equitable access to public transit, an outside section of the FY 2019 budget calls on MassDOT to review MBTA commuter rail fares, including an examination of the “fairness of the current distance-based fare system,” which effectively prohibits low-income Gateway City residents from utilizing the service, and also makes

PROVA!

The Gateway Cities Journal

Live musicians strum a diversity of rhythms, local brews pour freely, and people of all ages dance beneath the humid summer sun-this is the vibrant downtown that we’ve long envisioned for the Gateway Cities, and one newly manifested in Brockton. PROVA!, a twice-weekly celebration of Brockton’s rich multicultural heritage through food, drink, and entertainment, is

Please Support Gateway City Legislative Leaders

Your advocacy can make a difference

Dear Friends: In the final days of this Legislative session, two items hang in the balance that have great importance to Gateway City economic development efforts. The first is the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). After years of advocacy by Gateway Cities mayors, this market-rate housing production tool is finally doing exactly what it was

Putting our money where our mouth is

The MassCJRC Journal

With the passage of the FY 2019 state budget last week, leaders in the House and Senate once again signaled their commitment to comprehensive criminal justice reform. The sweeping package passed by the Legislature in April with overwhelming bipartisan support will only payoff if we invest in it. In the first state budget post-reform, lawmakers

End-of-session imperatives

The Gateway Cities Journal

It’s plain and simple: Gateway Cities have substantial capacity to absorb more residents and businesses. With the right policies, the Commonwealth can tap into this sorely needed development potential, and make growth in our state more equitable, sustainable, and fiscally responsible. Without the right policies, growth will continue to evade Gateway Cities, and the Massachusetts

Addressing Potential for TOD in Springfield

NEPR Highlights Transit-Oriented Development Research

Kari Njiri speaks with MassINC’s Ben Forman about the potential of Gateway Cities’ urban development in “Study Examines Potential in Springfield for Mass Transit to Attract Investment,” published today on New England Public Radio. Highlighting the research in MassINC’s most recent report on transit-oriented development (TOD), Forman discusses the history of Gateway Cities and why we

Creative Minds Out Loud

Ben Forman on the economic and social benefits of communities abundant with arts and culture

  In Episode 60 of the podcast “Creative Minds Out Loud,” MassINC research director Ben Forman discusses the economic and social benefits of communities which are abundant with arts and culture. A project of the Mass Cultural Council, the podcast features conversations with cultural leaders and those interested in the promotion of the arts in

Gateway Cities TOD Tour

Stop 2: Lynn

At the historic Lynn Museum, MassINC gathered with local leaders on Monday, June 25th to discuss local findings from “Exploring the Future of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Gateway Cities.” The MassINC team was joined by the Lynn Mayor Tom McGee, Rep. Dan Cahill, Sen. Brendan Crighton, representatives from U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton’s office, and a
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