EdVestor’s Rousmaniere on local accountability lessons from Boston

Gateways Episode 16

Policy Center
May 14, 2019 Policy Center

On this episode of Gateways, Ben Forman is joined by Marinell Rousmaniere, CEO of Edvestors, a nonprofit organization working to accelerate the improvement of Boston's schools. They dive deep into the school funding debate and discuss local accountability as well as the role of school councils.

Exploring the Future of Public-Private Partnerships

Event Recap

Policy Center
May 9, 2019 Policy Center

Five big picture takeaways from a discussion on the future of public-private partnerships in Gateway Cities On Monday, May 6th, MassINC convened Gateway City mayors, economic development directors, educators, nonprofit executives, and business leaders for a meeting on the future of public-private partnerships. Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank’s Working Cities Challenge team and with

More than one way to ‘transform’ a city

Gateways Episode 15

Policy Center
May 7, 2019 Policy Center

On this week's episode of Gateways, Dr. Tracy Corley is joined by Noah Koretz, Director of Transformative Development for MassDevelopment. He discusses his Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), a "place and partnership program" that bolsters the economic development efforts of Gateway Cities.

How one community transformed a struggling school

Gateways Episode 14

Policy Center
Apr 30, 2019 Policy Center

In this episode of Gateways, Ben Forman visits Worcester to talk with the team that led the transformation of Union Hill elementary. Ben speaks with Mullen Sawyer, executive director of Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, and Marie Morse and Kareem Tatum, who spearheaded Union Hill's turnaround as a formidable Principal/Assistant Principal duo.

Transformative transit-oriented development greets New Bedford

Gateways Episode 13

Policy Center
Apr 23, 2019 Policy Center

On this week's episode of Gateways, co-hosts Ben and Tracy dissect the high points of MassINC's regional forum on transformative transit oriented development, held in New Bedford's historic Whaling Museum on April 8.

Welcome Juana!

Gateways Episode 12

Policy Center
Apr 16, 2019 Policy Center

In this episode of Gateways, Ben talks with Juana Matias about her journey to MassINC and her hopes and aspirations for the organization. They also dive into the education funding debate. Together they puzzle over how lawmakers give Gateway City schools sufficient resources to close opportunity gaps.

House budget advances Gateway City neighborhood stabilization effort

The Gateway Cities Journal

Policy Center
Apr 11, 2019 Policy Center

The FY 2020 House budget released yesterday directs $1 million to MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI)-with $750,000 of that earmarked for neighborhood stabilization activities. This represents an important step forward (and a strong show of support) for a concerted effort to create a comprehensive neighborhood stabilization program for Massachusetts. With these funds, MassDevelopment could build

TOD planning takes root in the Heart of the Commonwealth

Gateways Episode 11

Policy Center
Apr 9, 2019 Policy Center

In this episode, we hear from Mayor Petty & Jake Sanders from the city of Worcester along with Craig Blais and Roberta Brien of the Worcester Business Development Corporation.

Accountability in the school funding debate

Gateways Episode 10

Policy Center
Apr 2, 2019 Policy Center

In Part II of our deep dive on local education accountability, Ben talks with Rep. Aaron Vega, author of the Promise Act, and Ed Lambert, former mayor of Fall River and current Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education.

A Complex Recipe for Housing Financing

Brockton Offers Formula for Gateway Cities

Policy Center
Apr 1, 2019 Policy Center

Rob May, Brock- ton’s director of economic devel- opment and planning, famously offers up his seven-layer dip to any- one with a taste for the city’s downtown. A 121B Urban Re- newal plan forms the base. Then, he mixes in 40Q District Improvement Financing, a 40R Smart Growth Overlay District, a 40V Hous-ing Development Zone and a Transformative Development District.