printer friendly

Community Investments

The Patrick Administration is committed to partnering with Massachusetts cities and towns to improve road and broadband infrastructure, promote economic growth and make Massachusetts a convenient and attractive place to do business.  The Administration is dedicated to supporting municipal grant programs that make important local investments in public safety, affordable housing, smart growth development strategies and energy efficiency.  Additional investments in historical, educational and recreational facilities will enhance our residents’ quality of life and encourage tourism throughout the Commonwealth. 

The following graph reflects the Administration’s estimated capital investment in community development projects and programs over the next five years, as compared to fiscal years 2007 and 2013 community development related spending.

Administration Accomplishments to Date

• The Patrick Administration has provided a historic level of Chapter 90 local road aid for cities and towns by currently providing $200 M a year in aid compared to $120 M when the Governor took office.
• The Administration has invested $92 M in funding for 23 public library construction projects across the Commonwealth since 2008.  Library projects are engines of economic development statewide; for example, $92 M in state funds generate approximately $184 M in total local activity, creating over 900 jobs. Grants have helped five libraries build LEED certified sustainable facilities with an additional thirteen projects currently under construction that plan to pursue LEED certification and together will receive an additional $2.2 M in Green Incentive awards. 
• Since 2008, the Water Pollution Abatement Trust (WPAT) has financed $1.6 B in approximately 382 water infrastructure construction loans to cities, towns and authorities across the Commonwealth, which has created an estimated 9,500 construction jobs.  The Trust has also distributed $176 M in federal stimulus funding to construction projects to create jobs, jumpstart the economy and promote Massachusetts’ “green” infrastructure. This federal funding is estimated to have created 1,058 jobs.
• The Seaport Advisory Council has partnered with coastal communities in over 95 projects with over $50 M in grants matched by 20% in local investment into the ports of Massachusetts.  This has resulted in modernized piers, wharfs, boardwalks, bulkheads and ferry terminals throughout the Commonwealth. 
• The Administration has supported 166 completed historic preservation grant projects in 80 different communities. 
• Since the beginning of the Patrick Administration, the Cultural Facilities Fund has made 399 grants totaling $55 M to cultural facilities for projects located in 99 cities and towns across the Commonwealth.  A recent survey of grantees found that grantees employ more than 9,000 full-time equivalent employees.

FY14 Highlights

• In FY14, the Patrick Administration will triple the funding to $15 M in the Cultural Facilities Fund to support non-profit cultural facilities throughout the Commonwealth.
• The Commonwealth will make a robust new investment of $10 M in Urban Signature Park projects in FY14, reflecting the Administration’s priority focus in this area.  These parks will be constructed in selected cities with goals of bolstering economic development efforts and creating distinctive green space. 
• An investment of $5 M will be made in urban playgrounds and spray parks.  This initiative aims to create 51 playgrounds or spray parks in the Commonwealth’s urban environmental justice neighborhoods over a two-year period.
• An investment of $10 M in critical coastal infrastructure projects immediately ready for construction. This funding will also provide for a sweeping risk assessment of the entire Massachusetts coastline and stimulate the development of sustainable infrastructure projects to mitigate coastal risk.
• The Early Education and Out of School Time Capital Fund will invest to improve substandard space that hosts licensed, non-profit early education or out of school programs across the Commonwealth.  These funds will be issued as competitive grants and are available to finance, plan, acquire, renovate, and construct facilities to ensure that the Commonwealth’s children have access to a quality and enriching learning environment. 
• The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is launching a pilot program in fiscal year 2014 to “Green the Gateway Cities”.  This program will provide additional urban tree cover to several Environmental Justice neighborhoods across the Commonwealth.  This initiative will provide social, as well as economic benefits, such as the reduction of residential energy costs, the reduction of stormwater treatment costs and the reduction of the “Urban Heat Island” effects that are aggravated by climate change and pose a serious health threat to residents in Environmental Justice neighborhoods.  EEA is working with other Commonwealth agencies as well as private entities to leverage this investment into an enhanced and expanded program in the future. 
• The Patrick Administration will invest $20 M in grants in FY14 to local library construction projects around the Commonwealth
• The Boston Public Market project will convert a vacant state building adjacent to the Rose Kennedy Greenway into a public market to offer a variety of local and culturally significant food products.  This project will create 100 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs. 
• The Administration will continue to fund the Springfield Union Station Parking Garage in FY14.  A 480-space parking garage will be constructed in conjunction with the proposed development of the Union Station Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, a $45 M project with multiple funding sources.
• The capital investment plan invests $200 M for Chapter 90 municipal road and bridge projects.  This is an $80 M increase over the annual funding level when the Patrick Administration took office.
• In FY14, the capital plan will disburse $1.1 M in equipment grants for vocational schools.  This new program will allow vocational school students to train on equipment used in real world workplaces.
• The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance will work in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office to develop a comprehensive master plan to identify the current and future needs of the Commonwealth’s Registries of Deeds. 
• The capital investment plan invests $2 M for the construction of the Westfield section of the Columbia Greenway Bike Trail. 
• State funding of $1.9 M will be contributed to a public/private partnership to construct a $15.8 M ice rink and recreation center at Jackson Square in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.  This project is part of a $104 M rehabilitation of the neighborhood.  When completed, this facility will provide safe, supervised recreation for youths in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, and will be operated by a private, non-profit organization requiring no ongoing public subsidy.

 top of page