With the February 7th Joint Rule 10 deadline for reporting bills out of committee approaching, Gateway City mayors voice collective support for the Downtown Vitality Act, the Affordable Homes Act, and a bill making smart investments in regional transit agencies. Re: H.228/S.130– An Act to Promote Downtown Vitality Dear Chairs McMurtry and Payano, and
The Baker Administration’s Crowning Achievement
The Gateway Cities Journal
Leaders on Beacon Hill continue to look for solutions to the stalled economic development package. Embedding the bill’s provision in a supplemental budget, which Governor Baker would take the lead in drafting, is one scenario floating around the State House. This approach has one major downside: supplemental budgets cannot contain bond authorizations. If this is
Our take on the end of the legislative session
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,
For the Good of the Commonwealth
The Gateway Cities Journal
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
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
Event Recap | Gateway Cities Leadership Summit: Growing an Inclusive Economy II
On Tuesday, July 12th, MassINC hosted its Annual Gateway Cities Leadership Summit. The forum explored how municipal contracting can support the growth of businesses of color, a timely conversation with an unprecedented influx of federal resources flowing into Gateway Cities through ARPA and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. MassINC Research Director Ben Forman and Executive Director
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.