At the end of this extraordinary legislative session, the team at MassINC sends a note of gratitude to the many partners who contributed to our various efforts over the past year. This includes funders, who generously underwrite the research; civic leaders, who selflessly lend their time and expertise to inform our work; and most especially,
House and Senate move on HDIP, Lesser fighting for inclusive entrepreneurship provisions
The Gateway Cities Journal
On Monday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee released its version of the biennial economic development bill. Similar to the bill passed unanimously by the House last week, S. 3018 contains provisions increasing the annual cap on the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to $57 million for FY 2023 and $30 million each year thereafter.
50 Gateway City economic development leaders write to state legislators for HDIP
50 Gateway City economic development leaders and developers sent a letter to state legislators calling for action to rescue the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), which is the only state program to address the unique development challenges of our small cities. Most significantly, rents remain comparatively low in most Gateway Cities compared to rising construction
22 Gateway City mayors and managers rally behind the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)
22 Gateway City mayors and managers weighed in with the House and Senate behind the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). As MassINC research has shown, there is a six-year backlog of at least 41 projects totaling nearly 2,300 housing units and more than $700 million in total investment. Most Gateway Cities lack housing options for
Andre Leroux offers testimony to Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
On House Bill 4864
Gateway Hubs Director Andre Leroux testified at the State House about expanding housing support in Gateway Cities, establishing a small business district fund, and improving state procurement.
20 Gateway City Mayors and Managers Urge State to Fund Downtown Housing
20 Gateway City mayors and managers endorsed letters to MA State House and Senate leadership requesting meetings to address the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) project backlog. View their letters here.
Preliminary Thoughts on ARPA 2.0
The Gateway Cities Journal
Governor Baker’s second ARPA spending bill is anticipated in the coming weeks. Rather than responding to emergencies, the state can now use these flexible funds for transformative long-term investments with a heavy focus on parts of the state beyond I-495.
For the T, Equity is the train that got away
The Gateway Cities Journal
The MBTA presented a package of proposed fare reductions to its new governing board late last month. Billed as an effort to increase equity, it’s hard to see how the changes will do anything but prolong and perhaps even amplify current inequities.
MassINC 2022 Policy Priorities
MassINC has worked to promote public policy that creates equitable pathways to opportunity for over 25 years. In the months ahead, we anticipate historic opportunities to continue to advance our mission. Here is a brief snapshot of what you can currently expect from our Policy Center in 2022 across a range of topics.
Gateway Cities are ideal proving ground for free fares
Andre Leroux featured in the Boston Globe
Gateway Hubs Project Director Andre Leroux explains why free fare programs work in Gateway Cities in his letter to the editor at Boston Globe.