Gateway City leaders awoke Monday morning to incredibly disheartening news: The legislature had failed to pass the economic development bill and its long-awaited increase in the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). Session after session, the omnibus economic development bill has been the primary vehicle for economic policy in Massachusetts. Many interests are now waiting patiently
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.
Committee’s ED bill is a big deal for Gateway Cities and equitable economic growth
The Gateway Cities Journal
Learn what the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies' Economic Development bill means for HDIP and inclusive entrepreneurship in Gateway Cities.
This is the moment to make transformative investments
The Gateway Cities Journal
The TDI program has been highly effective in Gateway Cities closer to Boston with relatively strong real estate markets. But the impact has been minimal in weaker markets outside of I-495, where Massachusetts desperately needs new sources of economic growth. Now is the moment to do right by the communities that state economic development policy has neglected for far too long.
Senate budget key to future of housing and transportation in Gateway Cities
The Gateway Cities Journal
The Senate budget debate next week could determine how competitive Gateway Cities will be in the post-pandemic economy. At a key moment when housing and transportation investments could help make these communities more attractive for an age of remote work, the danger of missing out on the opening and backsliding is real. Housing: Housing Development
Gateway Hubs Project Director advocates for a flexible approach in MBTA Communities letter
MassINC’s Gateway Hubs Project Director André Leroux weighed in on DHCD’s draft guidelines for this “transit-oriented zoning” program, called MBTA Communities.
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 a 2022 Equitable Economic Development Bill
The Gateway Cities Journal
Seasonal patterns suggest a large economic development package will land on Beacon Hill during the month of March in an even year. Sec. Kennealy can make a compelling case for filing a bill laden with policies to ensure that the unprecedented federal investments flowing into Massachusetts generate equitable growth.