Briefing: Mass Communities Count
Gov. Deval Patrick recently announced that Worcester is the latest city to join in a new program called the Massachusetts Communities Count initiative. The program was launched in Springfield in June and it will use federal and state dollars to spur economic growth and stabilize neighborhoods hit by the housing crisis. The partnership also aims to support small businesses.
How much money will the initiative cost?
The partnership will leverage more than $12.3 million in state and federal funds. That money will assist Worcester in doing the following things: acquiring, restoring or demolishing foreclosed properties; weatherizing homes for low- and moderate-income homeowners; and offering job training to the city’s at-risk youth.
The Springfield plan, which was the first of these initiatives, saw an allocation of more than $6 million. In that city, special attention was devoted to the clean-up, design and construction of new park areas, which is expected to create dozens of long-term job opportunities.
What are the specifics?
Working with federal, local and private partners, the Patrick-Murray administration plans to allocate approximately $4.73 million to the weatherization of low-income households and the improvements to the heating systems within those homes. That averages out to $5,500 spent per home on a total of 361 residences, with approximately 120 of them in the Main South/Piedmont/Chandler Street target area. Those same neighborhoods will also see about $2.39 million in federal stabilization funds to revitalize foreclosed properties.
How are small businesses affected by this?
The Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship soon will partner with the Worcester Business Resource Alliance and the Martin Luther King Empowerment Center to host a workshop to help small businesses cope with the current economy.
What’s next?
The initiative was first launched in Springfield, but the Patrick- Murray administration plans to duplicate it in several other communities throughout the state.
Related Links:
Mass Communities Count Press Release
Massachusetts' Economic Recovery web site
Massachusetts' Foreclosure prevention web site
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