In this issue....

• I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Project Virtual Public Information Meeting

• 495/MetroWest Partnership Housing Committee to Host Secretary Augustus

• Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation to Host Webinar on Impact of National Migration Trends on State

• Pioneer Institute to Host Forum Discussing Economic Competitiveness in Massachusetts

• MassEcon Accepting Applications for ReadyMass 100 Listing

• Informational Webinar on Transportation Demand Management

I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Project

Virtual Public Information Meeting

MassDOT has scheduled a virtual Public Information Meeting for the I-495/I-90 Interchange Improvement Project on Wednesday, September 27th at 6:00 PM. The purpose of the project is to provide a safe and efficient interchange while also alleviating traffic congestion. This interchange carries hundreds of thousands of vehicles per day between two of Massachusetts’s most significant roadways.

The meeting will specifically cover the design of I-90, the Ramp NW (the ramp from I-495 northbound to I-90 westbound), Ramps NE/EN (the ramps connecting I-495 northbound to and from I-90 eastbound), and Ramps SW/WS (the ramps connecting I-495 southbound to and from I-90 westbound). The meeting will begin with a presentation by the project team detailing the various designs. Attendees will then be able to view the various design plans and ask questions. Click here to register for this meeting.

Click here to learn more about the project.

495/MetroWest Partnership Housing Committee

to Host Secretary Augustus

The Commonwealth’s first Housing Secretary in more than 30 years, Edward M. Augustus, Jr., will address the 495/MetroWest Partnership’s Housing Committee on November 8th. Secretary Augustus was appointed in May to lead the newly-created Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Earlier in the year, Governor Healey filed Article 87 legislation to create the new Executive Office, which moved the Department of Housing and Community Development out of the former Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development into the new secretariat. This new cabinet-level secretariat is solely dedicated to housing, and to driving solutions to create more homes and lower costs.

Secretary Augustus had previously served as Worcester City Manager, and represented the Second Worcester District in the Massachusetts Senate where he served the 495/MetroWest Partnership communities of Grafton, Shrewsbury, and Upton. This event will take place virtually on Wednesday, November 8th at 8:30 AM; advance registration is required.

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation to Host Webinar on Impact of National Migration Trends on State

On October 19th, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) will host a webinar that will explore national migration trends and assess their impact on Massachusetts. The discussion will provide an orientation to how national patterns of movement affect the state, while also considering how public policy can be a tool for reducing out-migration and compensating for its impacts.

The webinar will include a presentation from Pew State Fiscal Health Project demographics expert Joanna Biernacka-Lievestro, Ph.D. Following this presentation will be a moderated discussion with panelists Tricia Canavan (CEO at Tech Foundry), Pam Eddinger (President of Bunker Hill Community College), and Luc Schuster (Executive Director of Boston Indicators). Click here to register for this event.

Pioneer Institute to Host Forum Discussing Economic Competitiveness in Massachusetts

On Tuesday, October 10th at 3:00 PM, the Pioneer Institute will host a Conversation on Competitiveness at Clark University in Worcester. Competitiveness is a critical issue facing businesses in Massachusetts at a time when they are already struggling with labor shortages, inflation, and the possibility of a recession. This forum will bring together industry experts and business leaders to share insights and discuss ideas for improving the state’s business climate and cost structure at this pivotal time. Speakers will include Tim Murray, President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and former Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. 

The Pioneer Institute’s Senior Fellow of Economic Opportunity, Eileen McAnneny, will moderate a panel discussion of business leaders from various industry sectors about the challenges and opportunities they face. Panelist will include:

• J.T. Kelley, Fidelity Bank
• Fran Madigan, Madigan Construction
• Imran Nasrullah, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
• Jane Steinmetz, EY

The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A session with audience members. There will be a cocktail reception, following the conclusion of the panel, where attendees are invited to continue the conversation. If you are interested in attending this event, click here to register.

MassEcon Accepting Site Applications for ReadyMass 100 Listing

MassEcon is currently accepting submissions for their ReadyMass 100 listing. ReadyMass 100 is a web-based program marketing the top available commercial real estate assets in Massachusetts. Due to strong market conditions in recent years, the portfolio is well below 100 properties today. The intention is to have the ReadyMass 100 fully stocked, with the best 100 land sites and Class A and B buildings available in the state.

MassEcon upgraded the ReadyMass 100 platform last year with access to more information in marketing listings. ReadyMass is now a more comprehensive site selector tool with a new design, as well as added mapping and data features. With an enhanced search platform, users have access to:

• Significant demographic, labor market, wage, business, consumer expenditure, and talent information
• Virtual tour and dynamic 360-degree Google Earth property imaging
• Map layering featuring broadband and energy transmission line mapping  

The current ReadyMass portfolio can be viewed here.

"Shovel-ready land sites" that can accommodate at least 100,000 square feet of build-out are sought. Class A and B commercial buildings that have at least 50,000 square feet of space available will also be considered. Detailed descriptions of the criteria can be found here. Mass Econ requests a minimal $350 annual online listing fee per property.

MassEcon will review all submitted applications on October 13th, 2023. The ReadyMass land application can be found here. The ReadyMass building application can be found here. Questions may be directed to Doug Kehlhem, Senior Director at MassEcon, at [email protected] or 508-736-1513.

Informational Webinar on Transportation Demand Management

On October 11th, Mass Commute is hosting an informational webinar about Transportation Demand Management (TDM). The transportation sector produces more than 1/3 of the greenhouse gas emissions in the Commonwealth; TDM is a set of strategies designed to reduce traffic congestion, enhance sustainable travel options, and combat climate change. Panelists will discuss innovative TDM solutions and their impact on creating eco-friendly transportation programs and services.  

This webinar will cover:

• What are the benefits of TDM?  
• Examples of TDM strategies that can be implemented at the state, regional, and local levels.
• The role of Transportation Management Associations in facilitating TDM initiatives.
• An overview of recent legislation that provides funding for TMAs to establish innovative TDM programs.

Who should attend? Legislators, municipal leaders, planning agencies, employers, and other stakeholders interested in promoting safe and reliable alternative modes of transportation for all. Click here to register for the webinar.