Last weekend the Latin American Festival returned to Worcester Common for its 31st annual run. The event is a bookend of sorts, as Worcester started the summer by hosting the largest and oldest Albanian Festival in America. These revelries are by no means unique to New England’s second-largest city. Summer in the Gateway Cities stands out for its full blossom
Midsummer/midsession updates from the Gateway Cities Innovation Institute
The Gateway Cities Journal
With the first post-Question 1 budget under development and major tax reform packages moving through the legislature, these last few weeks leading up to the summer recess have been especially consequential for Gateway Cities. Here is our take on where things stand as we turn the corner into the second half of the 2023-2024 legislative
Save the Date! 11th Annual Gateway Cities Innovation Institute Awards & Summit
Join us in Fitchburg on Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Join us on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Fitchburg University’s Recreation Center as we celebrate innovation and growth in our vibrant Gateway Cities. Get ready for an inspiring day of discussions, insights, and recognition of achievements that are transforming our communities. From decarbonization to rail electrification, this summit promises to ignite fresh ideas and actionable
Nominate Gateway City Innovation Award Honorees
Since 2012, MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute has celebrated individuals, organizations, and businesses that exemplify the innovative spirit of Gateway Cities. After three years of hosting our event virtually due to the pandemic, we’re excited to announce the return of in-person attendance for this highly anticipated convening this Fall. We’re looking forward to welcoming Gateway Cities
Event Recap | 4th Annual Gateway Cities Leadership Summit
On Tuesday, July 18, 2023, we gathered at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for the first in-person Gateway Cities event since 2019. MassINC Board member Michael Hunter and MassDevelopment’s President and CEO, Dan Rivera, kicked off the morning with opening remarks on the importance of working together to help Gateway Cities excel in the
Secretary Hao Meets with Gateway City Leaders
The Gateway Cities Journal
Last week, MassINC hosted a wide-ranging virtual conversation with Yvonne Hao, the Secretary of Economic Development, together with mayors and senior staff from Gateway Cities across the state. Given the critical importance of sustaining the very positive collaborative working relationship that Gateway City leaders established with the Patrick Administration and built upon through the Baker
Senate tax bill spurs mixed-income housing production
The Gateway Cities Journal
This week the Massachusetts Senate revealed its much-anticipated tax relief package. Mirroring language from Governor Healey’s proposal, the bill includes provisions increasing the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) to $57 million in FY 24 to clear a lengthy backlog of pending projects, followed by $30 million annually each year thereafter. MassINC anticipates that this expansion
Recommendations to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP)
MassINC has developed draft recommendations to the new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities that would improve management of the program. These have been crafted in consultation with municipal housing and economic development staff from Gateway Cities across the state. We look forward to discussing these ideas with EOHLC Secretary Ed Augustus and his
23 Gateway City mayors and managers write to state legislators for HDIP
Letter of support to state senate leaders from mayors and managers representing 23 Gateway Cities
Last week, mayors and managers representing 23 Gateway Cities submitted a letter of support to state senate leaders supporting expanding the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) from $10M to $30M annually. The senate is expected to debate its tax package this week. – May 31, 2023 Karen E. Spilka, Senate President Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair
The Senate makes bold investment in regional transit
The Gateway Cities Journal
Inadequate public transportation has long been a shared concern for Gateway City leaders across the state. Many of their residents are simply trapped on nights and weekends, when bus service is either extremely infrequent or entirely unavailable. This has serious implications for individual health and wellbeing. It also reduces the available workforce, and regional economic