In this issue....

• Next Week: MetroWest Regional Session for State's New Economic Development Plan

• Strength in Numbers 2023: Economic Development Talking Points for the 495/MetroWest Region

• Mass Rivers Alliance to Host Stormwater Financing Workshop Series for Municipalities

• FEMA to Host Webinar for Local Officials on Extreme Heat Preparedness, Mitigation Projects



• Local Organization Seeking Business Involvement in Sponsoring Feminine Health Products

Next Week: MetroWest Regional Session for

State's New Economic Development Plan

Under state law, in the first year of any new administration the Secretary of Economic Development is required to develop, along with a planning council, a written comprehensive economic development policy for the Commonwealth and a strategic plan for implementing that policy. 

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) and the state's Economic Development Planning Council are holding a series of regional sessions on behalf of the Healey-Driscoll Administration across the state to gather public input about the state’s economic development needs. The council will then craft a strategic plan to guide Massachusetts economic development policy over the next four years.

EOED will host a MetroWest Regional Planning Session as part of its economic development planning process on Monday, July 17th, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Framingham State University in Framingham. Click here to register to participate in the session. 

Business and community leaders, elected officials, stakeholders, and members of the public are invited to join and contribute input about economic needs and opportunities for growth within the region. Breakout tables will be hosted at the session to collect input in the general areas of:

• Business Climate
• Community and Neighborhood Development
• Key Clusters and Innovation
• Workforce and Talent
• Equity and Opportunity

Over the course of the next several months, the Economic Development Planning Council will work to incorporate this feedback to set long term goals, measurable benchmarks, and propose major economic development initiatives to guide Massachusetts’ economic development policy over the next four years. 

Strength in Numbers 2023: Economic Development

Talking Points for the 495/MetroWest Region

Each year, the 495/MetroWest Partnership publishes our annual Strength in Numbers update, highlighting the advantages of locating and doing business in our region. Despite economic uncertainty, the 495/MetroWest region continues to be a primary economic engine for Massachusetts, and a uniquely advantageous places to do business with:

• A highly skilled workforce
• More affordable commercial & industrial real estate
• Growth in key industries
• More employers, strong wages, and low unemployment

That's why our region's business leaders remain bullish in the face of broader economic challenges. Click here to check out our 2023 495/MetroWest Strength in Numbers report.

Individual Community Profiles: 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. To access a community's report, visit the "Reports and Data" section of our website; links to individual reports can be found under "2023 Community Profiles." 

Mass. Rivers Alliance to Host Stormwater Financing

Workshop Series for Municipalities

The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance and partnering organizations have developed a three-part Stormwater Financing Workshop Series to help municipalities learn about, and take advantage of, short- and long-term funding solutions for stormwater management. The workshops will guide municipalities in evaluating a variety of funding opportunities and will provide tools for developing long-term revenue streams through stormwater utility fees. This is an opportunity to learn from state and federal agencies, local municipalities, and regional environmental and financial consultants.

The first workshop is scheduled for Thursday, July 13th from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, and will have as its theme "Addressing New Stormwater Regulatory Pressure Through Asset Management & Grant Funding." The event is free, and will be hosted virtually via Zoom. Click here to register. Topics covered will include direction for the next MS4 permit, regulatory compliance costs, grant funding opportunities, and asset management for municipal stormwater projects.

The second workshop will be held in person in Stow on July 26th; this workshop will focus on federal funding opportunities available to Massachusetts municipalities for technical assistance through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program, stormwater utilities as a sustainable funding solution, and lessons learned from municipalities implementing stormwater utilities.

The intended audience for this series includes Massachusetts municipalities, and non-profits working directly with communities, with interest in securing short- or long-term funding for stormwater management.

FEMA to Host Webinar for Local Officials on Extreme Heat Preparedness, Mitigation Projects

In support of FEMA’s “#SummerReady” campaign, the agency will host webinars this summer for state, local, tribal, and territorial officials to help stakeholders promote preparedness and resilience against extreme heat events. The webinars will highlight the collective efforts across several federal agencies to address this issue and identify specific types of hazard mitigation projects that can effectively combat extreme heat. 

During the webinars, panelists will discuss funding opportunities, such as FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program, to make communities more resilient to extreme heat. Representatives from other federal agencies will discuss climate conditions and explanation of extreme heat, impacts of extreme heat on people and infrastructure, examples of successful extreme heat projects and other funding opportunities. Speakers will include representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and FEMA. There will also be a moderated question-and-answer session.

The next webinar will be held on Wednesday, August 16th from 2:00 to 3:30 PM; click here for more information.

FEMA’s #SummerReady campaign seeks to help mitigate risk by reaching targeted populations and boosting awareness of the impacts of extreme heat, while highlighting straightforward steps individuals and families can take to prepare. This campaign will not only offer easy-to-understand messaging and safety tips for the public but will also provide government stakeholders, emergency managers and members of the media with FEMA resources they can use to communicate these risks to residents and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat events in their communities.

Local Organization Seeking Business Involvement in

Sponsoring Feminine Health Products

Fihri, a MetroWest-based organization whose mission is to address a lack of access to period products in local communities, is working with businesses to organize team bonding experiences by creating sustainable period kits to distribute to schools, food pantries, and libraries. Additionally, Fihri offers a student sponsorship program, allowing businesses or individuals to support students in need by providing monthly period supplies. It is an opportunity for your business to connect with a younger demographic and make a positive social impact. Businesses interested in learning more may contact ceylan@fihriinc.com or visit the organization's website.