October 16th Information & Resource Update | |
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In this issue...
- Transportation Committee Meeting: Update on 495/90 Interchange Project
- Save the Date: 495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference
- MetroWest STEM Education Network Quarterly Meeting
- McAuliffe Center Workforce Development Event
- UMass Donahue Institute Retailer Survey
- Mass. Life Sciences Center Grant Programs
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Save the Date:
495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference
On December 12th, 2024, the 495/MetroWest Partnership will hold its Annual Conference. This year’s policy theme will be The Future of Housing in 495/MetroWest. Leaders in business, government, higher education, development, and environmental protection from across the region will gather at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to celebrate our progress in advancing the interests of 495/MetroWest, and to discuss the unique challenges the housing crunch presents to our regional economy and how the Partnership will be a part of the solution.
495/MetroWest Partnership Annual Conference
The Future of Housing in 495/MetroWest
Thursday, December 12th, 2024 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
at Gillette Stadium
This is a ticketed event; a complete invitation, with access to ticket sales, will be distributed via email and made available on the Partnership's website in the coming weeks. Sponsorship opportunities for the conference are now available; click here to learn more.
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MetroWest STEM Education Network Quarterly Meeting
On October 24th, the 495/MetroWest Partnership will co-host the next quarterly meeting of the MetroWest STEM Education Network. In collaboration with MassBioEd, the meeting will feature "Building and Retaining the Life Sciences Workforce," a panel discussion on regional efforts to support the development and sustainability of the life sciences and biotechnology workforce.
Representatives from K-16 education, industry, government and non-profits are invited to discuss some of the recommendations proposed by MassBioEd in their 2024 report on the Massachusetts Life Sciences Employment Outlook and explore ways in which they can collaborate and contribute to: Building the Talent Pipeline; Growing & Retaining the Workforce, and Expanding Career Opportunities & Diversity.
The meeting is scheduled for October 24th, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM and will be hosted by the 495/MetroWest Partnership in Westborough. Click here to register.
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McAuliffe Center Workforce Development Event
The McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning, in collaboration with the MetroWest and Central Mass STEM Regional Networks, will host “See Yourself in the Green Workforce - Explore, Share & Network!," a workforce development event on Wednesday, October 23rd. The goal of the event is to introduce students, especially those from backgrounds underrepresented in the life science industry, to career pathways available in the clean energy, sustainability and environmental sectors.
The event will be held in-person between the hours of 3:30 pm and 6:00 pm. Interested students are welcome to walk in anytime, but must RSPV online in order to receive a parking pass.
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UMass Donahue Institute Retailer Survey
The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI), with support from the Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM), launched a survey for Massachusetts retailers on October 7th. All retailers (except nonprofit, NGO, government, or quasi-government entities) in Massachusetts are invited to complete the anonymous survey, which will help inform initiatives and interventions that address the challenges retailers face. The survey will be open until 5:00 PM on Friday, November 7th. Click here to complete the survey.
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Mass. Life Sciences Center Grant Programs
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) launched a new Health Equity Accelerator program to promote projects with a life science focus that address healthcare disparities, unmet needs, and equity. The program will make five awards of approximately $50,000 each for a total of $250,000 in grant funds.
Applications are open to both for-profit and non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts and innovating in targeted life sciences areas including Precision Medicine and Genomics, Machine Learning, Preventative Health, Mental Health, and more. To view additional grant guidelines, click here.
Program applicants have until December 6th at 1:00 PM to apply with a feasible plan for implementation of their project within a 1-year timeframe. Click here to access the grant application.
The MLSC also announced four other grant programs, targeted towards non-profit organizations:
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Research Infrastructure Program: MLSC’s Research Infrastructure Program, which supports capital projects for life sciences research and lab development, is now accepting a new round of applications running until Dec. 6. The program disperses up to $10 million dollars to eligible not-for-profit entities. Click here to access the grant application.
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Bits to Bytes: MLSC’s Bits to Bytes data science program has opened its application window for projects that generate and analyze large datasets which drive solutions in prominent life sciences areas. Applicants have until Dec. 6 at 1 PM to apply and must be not-for-profit entities collaborating with a for-profit partner. Click here to access the grant application.
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Novel Therapeutics Delivery: MLSC is supporting innovative projects that address therapeutics delivery for complex medicines. With $750,000 available per project for capital and facility expenses, the Novel Therapeutics Delivery program targets not-for-profit institutions, with applications open until Dec. 6. Click here to access the grant application.
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Women’s Health Initiative: MLSC has opened applications for its Women’s Health Initiative programs, which prioritize underfunded areas for health and medical conditions that primarily affect women. The application period runs until Dec. 6 with eligibilities varying by funding channel. Click here to access the grant application.
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In Case You Missed It: Strength in Numbers, Community Profiles, and Employer Survey Results
Our 2024 annual reports and datasets are available on the Partnership's website:
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Strength in Numbers: Each year, the 495/MetroWest Partnership publishes our annual Strength in Numbers update, highlighting the advantages of locating and doing business in our region. While containing some economic data points of interest, the primary purpose of Strength in Numbers is to provide the region’s economic stakeholders with a set of consistent talking points to utilize in promoting the economic advantages of doing business in 495/MetroWest.
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495/MetroWest Employer Survey: Our 495/MetroWest Employer Survey is an annual project undertaken in conjunction with Framingham State University’s MetroWest Economic Research Center (MERC). The survey, now in its 11th year, gauges the outlook and intentions of business leaders across the region, in addition to highlighting employer concerns. In 2024, 176 total employers took part, a 14% increase in participation over the 2023 survey.
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Community Profiles (Individual profiles are available at the linked "Reports & Data" page of our website, with a distinct link for each community's profile): Each year, the 495/MetroWest Partnership publishes economic and demographic profiles of each of our 36 cities and towns. Data points presented in each community profile include population changes, educational attainment, commuting patterns, housing information, occupations and industries, and more.
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As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the 495/MetroWest Partnership can be of any assistance to you:
Jason Palitsch, Executive Director
(774) 760-0495
Jason@495Partnership.org
Thank you for your continued commitment to strengthening our region.
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