In this issue...

• 495/MetroWest Partnership & MetroWest Chamber of Commerce to Host MBTA General Manager Phil Eng 

• Transportation Committee Meeting: Framingham-Worcester Line
• Housing Committee Meeting: Modular/ Prefabricated Construction

• Commercial Conversion Tax Credit

• Guidance Regarding Immigration and Work Authorization

• Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Research Infrastructure and Equipment Grants

• MassDEP Gap IV Energy Grant Program

• Town of Franklin Arts and Culture Symposium

• Town of Westford Launches Economic Development Website 

495/MetroWest Partnership & MetroWest Chamber of Commerce

to Host MBTA General Manager Phil Eng

The 495/MetroWest Partnership and the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce will co-host a special event on Thursday, September 4th featuring MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. Join us as the General Manager shares his vision for the future of public transportation in Massachusetts.

Gain insight into upcoming priorities, evolving transit strategies, and how the MBTA plans to meet the needs of a growing and changing region. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from one of the state's top transportation leaders as he outlines what’s ahead for the T—and what it could mean for MetroWest and beyond.

This event will be held on Thursday, September 4th at 8:30 AM in Natick; this is a ticketed event. Click here to purchase tickets.

Transportation Committee Meeting: Framingham-Worcester Line

The Transportation Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will meet in-person on Tuesday, October 14th at 8:30 AM for a conversation focused on the Framingham-Worcester Commuter Rail line. Participants will hear a presentation from the Worcester Regional Research Bureau regarding their newly-published 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 will follow. This meeting will be hosted in-person in Westborough; click here to register. 

Housing Committee Meeting:

Modular/ Prefabricated Construction

The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership will meet virtually on Thursday, October 30th at 8:30 AM 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 will hear from representatives of modular/ prefabrication companies about their approaches, experiences in the region, and potential for expanded use of this construction method. This will be a virtual meeting taking place via Zoom; click here to register.

Commercial Conversion Tax Credit

The Commonwealth has launched the Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative (CCTCI), a new funding stream from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to help finance the conversion of underused commercial buildings into residential and mixed-use housing developments. 

Projects must be certified as Qualified Conversion Projects to be eligible, with preference given to larger scale adaptive re-use and rehabilitation projects with 50 units or more. Both for-profit and non-profit developers are eligible to apply; municipal sign-off from the chief elected officer is required. Funding ranges from $2.5-$3 million per project depending on size. EOHLC will also give preference to projects that are located in municipalities that received commercial conversion technical assistance from MassHousing in 2024 and 2025.

Applications are due September 25th, 2025. Click here for more information. 

Guidance Regarding Immigration and Work Authorization

The Offices of the Governor and Attorney General released notice offering guidance to Massachusetts businesses regarding the authorization and employment of foreign-born workers. This document was created in response to federal workplace enforcement operations, specifically the increased possibility that federal officials may demand to audit I-9 forms. The notice provides information and resources to businesses that employ foreign-born workers and may be subject to federal notices and inspections. Click here to access the full document.

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center

Research Infrastructure and Equipment Grants

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) has launched two grant programs, the Research Infrastructure Program and the Research Equipment Program, that will provide grants for capital projects that support the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts by enabling and supporting life sciences research and development. The Research Infrastructure Program will fund capital projects ranging up to $5 million to establish critical research resources, while the Research Equipment Program will support the purchase of research equipment up to $500,000.

The two programs are available to nonprofit organizations such as academic/research institutions, hospitals engaged in research, or business incubators/accelerators. The MLSC will give preference to applicants that have procured "significant additional funds" outside of the grant awards.

Applications are due on November 21st at 1:00 PM EST. Click here to access the grant applications.

MassDEP Gap IV Energy Grant Program

MassDEP's Gap IV Energy Grant application period is now open, offering funding ranging from $75,000 to $350,000 to municipal drinking water and wastewater facilities, as well as nonprofit organizations and small businesses in the food and agricultural sector. The program is designed to fill the final financing "gap" for facilities that have leveraged Mass Save incentives and other funding sources to install energy efficiency and clean energy projects. A Bidders’ Information Conference will be held on September 9th at 10:00 AM. Complete an e-mail interest form to register. Grant applications are due September 19th at 5:00 PM, with pre-registration required.

Town of Franklin Arts and Culture Symposium

The Town of Franklin is hosting its Arts and Culture Symposium on September 18th and 19th at Dean College. The two-day program will feature interactive pop-up installations, live performances, guest speakers, and networking opportunities aimed at fostering dialogue and collaboration among artists, cultural leaders, and community members. 

The Symposium is organized by the Town of Franklin’s Department of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, in collaboration with the Franklin Cultural District and the Franklin Cultural Council. Municipal planners, economic development professionals, zoning boards, and small business advocates are also encouraged to participate. Attendees can register for one or both days; tickets are free. Click here to register. 

Town of Westford Launches Economic Development Website

The Town of Westford has launched DiscoverWestford.org, a central hub designed to attract and support businesses, promote economic vitality, and expand the town’s brand. Developed by the Westford Economic Development Committee, the website offers business resources, such as demographic information, permitting guidance, case studies, bid opportunities, and updates on local initiatives and upcoming events. Additional tools are planned, including a business toolkit, targeted forums, and economic development workshops. For more information, contact CSerpe@DiscoverWestford.org. 

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.