December 22nd Information & Resource Update | | |
In this issue...
- Annual Conference Recap
- World Cup Local Impact Supplier Program
- Growing in the New Year: Empowering Manufacturing in the Region, with the Middlesex 3 Coalition
-
Water Resources Vision and Priorities Statement
- 495/MetroWest Partnership Committee Meeting Summaries
| | |
Annual Conference Recap
Thank you to the leaders across 495/MetroWest who took part in our annual conference, Infrastructure to Support Growth, on December 12th at the Hilton Garden Inn Boston/ Marlborough! Our guests heard:
- An overview of the FIFA World Cup matches coming to Massachusetts from Boston 2026's Neil Doherty; click here to access slides featured during his presentation. The presentation included an assessment of the projected economic impact of the games coming to Foxborough, as well as an overview of the Local Supplier Impact Program giving local businesses the opportunity to become vendors for the event; see the next section for details.
- A legislative update from Representative Danielle Gregoire, on behalf of our region's 28-member legislative delegation.
- And an insightful panel discussion regarding infrastructure needs to support continued economic growth moderated by Meredith Harris, Executive Director of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation, and featuring panelists:
- Justin DeMarco, Department of Public Works Director, Town of Maynard
- Jennifer Pederson, Executive Director, Massachusetts Water Works Association
- Matt Shortsleeve, Senior Vice President for Marketing and Policy, Solect Energy
- Tamara Small, CEO, NAIOP Massachusetts
| | |
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor VHB, as well as Table Sponsors:
- EG America/ Cumberland Farms
- Marlborough Economic Development Corporation
- Mevion Medical Systems
- NAIOP Massachusetts
Co-Host Sponsors:
- Beals + Thomas
- Bowditch
- CMRPC
- MAPC
- MetroWest Visitors Bureau
- Mirick
- ReVision Energy
- Senate President Karen Spilka
- Solect Energy
| | |
World Cup Local Supplier Impact Program
The FIFA World Cup™ Boston 2026 Committee has organized a Local Impact Supplier Program which will identify, vet, and select ready-to-work local suppliers that will be able to participate in FIFA World Cup™ Boston 2026 events. At the Partnership's 2025 Annual Conference, Neil Doherty, Director of Government Relations for FIFA World Cup™ Boston 2026, gave a keynote address discussing the regional economic impact of the World Cup and highlighted the Local Impact Supplier Program as a key opportunity for local employers to get involved. Suppliers needed will include:
- Event Management
- Catering
- Transportation
- Security
- Sanitation
- Event Production
Interested businesses can fill out FIFA's Business Opportunities Form to get started and receive updates about supply opportunities related to the tournament. Click here to access the form. New business opportunities are expected to be advertised in the new year; businesses who complete the form will receive alerts regarding relevant opportunities.
| | |
Growing in the New Year: Empowering Manufacturing in the Region with the Middlesex 3 Coalition
Join the 495/MetroWest Partnership in collaboration with the Middlesex 3 Coalition for an event, "Manufacturing in Massachusetts" to connect, collaborate, and grow with regional partners who support business expansion—from workforce and education to real estate, finance, and state resources. The event will be held on Wednesday, January 14th, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at 10 Lyberty Way in Westford. Attendees will hear a panel discussion exploring ways to strengthen and expand advanced manufacturing in the region with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and long-term growth. Enjoy the opportunity to tour a recently renovated advanced manufacturing facility at 10 Lyberty Way. Don’t miss this chance to plug into the region’s thriving business community and start the new year strong. Thank you to Avison Young, BTU, and SCS Construction Management for hosting & sponsoring this meeting! Click here to register; stakeholders of the 495/MetroWest Partnership should select "Member Registration" and then select the option "I am an Invited Guest," entering 495/MetroWest Partnership as the name of the entity who invited you.
| |
|
Recent 495/MetroWest Partnership Committee Meetings
Housing Committee Meeting October 30th: Modular Construction. The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership met virtually on October 30th for a conversation about modular/ prefabricated housing construction. Modular housing, also referred to as factory-built, system-built, or prefabricated housing, is a construction method that builds homes in factory-controlled environments before transporting prefabricated sections to building sites for assembly. The Commonwealth has identified modular housing as a key strategy to address the state's housing shortage in its Unlocking Housing Production Commission report. Attendees heard from representatives of modular/ prefabrication companies about their approaches, experiences in the region, and potential for expanded use of this construction method:
Transportation Committee Meeting October 14th: Framingham-Worcester Commuter Rail Line. The Transportation Committee met in-person on October 14th for a conversation focused on the Framingham-Worcester Commuter Rail line. Participants heard a presentation from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau regarding their report, Express for Whom? Ridership, Recovery, & the Importance of the Worcester/Framingham Line. A discussion regarding current service levels, station access and parking capacity, and reliability followed. Click here to access the slide deck from the presentation.
Water Resources Committee Meeting November 25th: The Water Resources Committee met virtually on November 25th to review an updated draft of the organization's new Vision and Priorities statement on water issues, reflecting feedback received to that point following the original presentation of the draft. The final document was adopted by the Board of Directors on December 3rd (see section above).
Energy and Sustainable Development Committee Meeting August 19th: The Energy and Sustainable Development Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership met on August 19th in a joint meeting with the Partnership’s Planning and Economic Development Working Group (PEDWG). Partnership staff presented and sought feedback on several ongoing projects, including draft guidelines to help our communities develop Priority Preservation Areas; a listing of contemporary resources intended to refresh the Partnership’s 2008 Low Impact Development Toolkit; and a listing of climate mitigation strategies and informational resources for municipalities to access. If you would like to review and/ or offer comment on those projects, please contact Tom Driscoll at Tom@495Partnership.org. Feedback on these documents will close at the end of calendar 2025.
| | |
Welcome New Investors!
The 495/MetroWest Partnership leads the advancement of the 495/MetroWest region as an exceptional location for people, businesses, and communities. Our vision is one in which our region enjoys sustainable economic growth, well-stewarded natural and built resources, and diverse transportation and housing choices. Together, these assets make our region the best place for your business to grow. The 495/MetroWest Partnership is supported by Investor businesses and organizations who recognize that the Partnership is the key voice coordinating our region's decision-makers and advocating for our needs.
The 495/MetroWest Partnership has welcomed four new Investors in recent months:
ADVOCATES:
SUPPORTERS:
Thank you to PI, Global Partners, Rockland Trust, and Webster Five for your support! Learn more about becoming an Investor on the Partnership's website!
| | |
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.
| | | | |
