In this issue....

• 495/MetroWest Partnership Transportation Committee to Host Presentation on Route 2 Corridor Study

• 495/MetroWest Partnership & NAIOP to Co-Host EPA Informational Session on RDA Permit Design Process

• Community One Stop for Growth Now Open for FY25 Expressions of Interest

• MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau to Host Annual Meeting

• MAPC to Host Webinar Detailing New Section 3A Decision-Making Tool

• Save the Date: 495/MetroWest Partnership Annual State House Day

495/MetroWest Partnership Transportation Committee to Host Presentation on Route 2 Corridor Study

Next Wednesday, February 21st at 8:30 AM, the Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will host representatives from MassDOT for an informational presentation on their Route 2 Corridor Study. During the meeting, MassDOT will provide attendees with an overview of the scope and status of the Route 2 Corridor Study, alternatives, and next steps. Attendees will have the opportunity to offer comments and ask questions. This session will be hosted virtually via Zoom; click here to register.  

495/MetroWest Partnership & NAIOP to Co-Host EPA Informational Session on RDA Permit Design Process

Join NAIOP and the 495/MetroWest Partnership for an informational session with staff from the Region 1 office of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During the session, the EPA will provide updates on the draft Residual Designation Authority Permit (sometimes referred to as an “RDA permit”) that it will issue for comment later this year. This session will be hosted virtually on Friday, March 22nd from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM; click here to register.  

The RDA permit will require private commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with one or more acres of impervious surface in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset River Watersheds to control their stormwater run-off in order to reduce pollutants, such as nutrients and bacteria, from entering the watersheds. While the EPA will not be in a position to discuss specific permit conditions during this session, feedback on implementation considerations, suggestions for stakeholder outreach and potential stormwater management strategies that participants would like to share are welcome and encouraged.

Note that for those unable to attend, the slides will be posted on the EPA and 495/MetroWest Partnership websites. All members of the public will have an opportunity to provide comments about this permitting matter when EPA starts the formal permitting process by releasing its draft permit. In making its final permit decisions, EPA considers all comments that it receives and will issue a response to significant comments prior to issuing a final permit. EPA will post information about that process on its website and in the Federal Register when the draft permit is issued, which is anticipated for later this year.

Community One Stop for Growth Now Open for

FY25 Expressions of Interest

The Community One Stop for Growth program is an online application portal where public and non-public entities can access and apply for state grant programs that support community economic development. Being a single application portal, the Community One Stop for Growth streamlines the grant procurement processes for eligible entities throughout the Commonwealth.

In FY25, 12 programs will be administered by Community One Stop for Growth. These programs include:

Executive Office of Economic Development

• MassWorks Infrastructure Program
• Urban Agenda Grant Program
• Massachusetts Downtown Initiative
• Rural Development Fund

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

• Housing Choice Grant Program
• Community Planning Grant Program
• HousingWorks Infrastructure Program

MassDevelopment

• Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
• Site Readiness Program
• Underutilized Properties Program
• Collaborative Workspace Program
• Real Estate Services Technical Assistance

Expressions of Interest (EOI) opened on February 9th and will be accepted through April 30th. EOIs are optional, and give applicants the opportunity to receive feedback and guidance on projects before submitting a full application.

The full application must be submitted to formally apply for funding. Although applicants may submit as many projects as they would like, it is recommended that applicants prioritize their project requests. The full application can be submitted between May 6th and June 5th. In order to apply, applicants must complete their application through the IGX system.

MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau to Host Annual Meeting

The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau has announced that their Annual Meeting will be held on March 15th from 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Framingham State University’s Forum at the McCarthy Center.

Attendees will hear from local leaders and members of the legislative delegation on their vision for the future of tourism in the MetroWest region. Speakers will also include:

• Kate Fox, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Executive Director
• Sheila Green, American Revolution 250th Anniversary Coordinator
• Michael Bobbitt, Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director

To register or learn more about the event, click here. 

The MetroWest Boston Visitors Bureau markets the region’s cultural and recreational venues, retailers, restaurants, accommodations, and educational and other services to visitors and residents alike. 

MAPC to Host Webinar Detailing New

Section 3A Decision-Making Tool

On February 27th from 12:00 to 1:30 PM, MAPC will host a webinar to provide an overview of a new Section 3A decision-making tool. MAPC has developed an interactive MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Requirement (Section 3A) District Suitability Analysis Tool to help municipalities within the MAPC region identify locations for 3A zoning districts that also advance regional and local goals.

During the webinar, MAPC staff will provide an overview of the tool’s use and showcase how it may be applied, in tandem with stakeholder-driven processes, to facilitate conversations around areas suitable for new housing production.

To register for the webinar, click here.  

495/MetroWest Partnership communities served by MAPC are Acton, Ashland, Bellingham, Bolton, Boxborough, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Littleton, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick, Norfolk, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Wrentham.

Save the Date: 495/MetroWest Partnership Annual State House Day

The 495/MetroWest Partnership will host its Annual State House Day on Wednesday, April 24th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

This event is an annual opportunity created by the Partnership for our stakeholders to interact with members of our region’s legislative delegation, hear about their priorities, and ask questions or offer feedback relevant to your business, organization, or community.

The event is free to attend, though advance registration will be required. A full invitation with registration information will be published in early March.