星期三, 12月 17, 2025

MAYOR MICHELLE WU HOSTS THE FIRST ANNUAL SCALED IMP

MAYOR MICHELLE WU HOSTS THE FIRST ANNUAL SCALED IMPACT CELEBRATION

Highlighting the City’s progress in Supplier Diversity and celebrating the recipients of the SCALE grant

BOSTON - Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity yesterday hosted the first annual Scaled Impact Celebration. This event, which took place at Faneuil Hall, highlighted the important progress the City of Boston is making towards building a more inclusive economy leveraging procurement opportunities. Scaled Impact celebrated five departments committed to equity in contracting and the 27 graduates of the Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) program.


“Boston’s small businesses keep our city running, strengthen our economy, and anchor our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. With the SCALE Program, we are removing barriers and investing in the businesses that serve our residents and families every day. I’m thrilled to recognize the participating small, local businesses in this inaugural cohort and look forward to building on our efforts to make Boston a home for everyone.”


Every year, the City spends more than $1 billion on contracts—from community events like Open Streets, to trash collection, to providing meals for Boston Public School students. The Department of Supplier Diversity works to ensure that small and local minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses have the tools and resources they need to competitively bid on these contracts.


Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) is a grant and technical assistance program designed for small businesses in specific industries (snow removal and landscaping, food and dining services, design and architectural services, and construction). The 27 diverse Boston-based businesses selected for the SCALE program received a grant award of up to $200,000 and engaged in a six month course on capacity building and business expansion with City-selected industry technical assistance providers.


At Scaled Impact, the Department of Supplier Diversity celebrated all SCALE grantees. The following businesses graduated from SCALE. 


Construction: Tradeswork


Construction: General Contracting 


Design and Architectural Services

 

Food and Dining Services


Snow Removal and Landscaping 


The Department of Supplier Diversity also honored Boston Public Schools, Boston Transportation Department, Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, Public Works Department and the Property Management Department. From Fiscal Year 2023 to 2025, Property Management awarded nearly $15 million, or 30 percent, of its total contract awards to certified businesses. The Transportation Department has awarded $38.5 million in contracts to diverse businesses, accounting for nearly 44 percent of their contract award dollars, in the past three fiscal years. All five of the departments recognized have demonstrated their commitment to Supplier Diversity, and have helped fuel the progress the City has made during the Wu Administration in increasing city discretionary spend and contract award with certified businesses. 


Over the past three fiscal years, $628.7 million in City contracts have been awarded to certified minority- and women-owned businesses, a 94 percent increase compared to the previous four fiscal years. In fiscal year 2025, $232.5 million in contracts were awarded to certified minority- and women-owned businesses. This is equivalent to 13 percent of all contracting dollars awarded by the City in FY25. 


The Department of Supplier Diversity and the Procurement Department also recently released the annual Equity in Contracting Report for FY25, highlighting the City’s equitable procurement data and achievements. Additional information about the City’s efforts is available on the Equitable Procurement webpage. 


“Thanks to the clear, intentional vision set by Mayor Wu to expand economic opportunities for Bostonians, we have achieved sustained year-over-year growth in the amount and value of contracts awarded to qualified small and local minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses,” said Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu. “In addition to the capital and coaching the City of Boston provides through programs like SCALE, the third leg of the stool is contracts. Our neighborhoods benefit from greater participation in public procurement by local and diverse firms, helping strengthen them as employers and service providers. I am grateful to my colleagues in public service who have been strong partners in not only achieving this success, but helping to implement policies and programs that will ensure its continuation.”


“Scaled Impact celebrates the City’s work furthering the Department of Supplier Diversity’s mission of making contracting accessible to diverse businesses,” said Director of Supplier Diversity Andrea Caruth. “We are grateful for the support we receive under Mayor Wu’s leadership to amplify our efforts and support businesses.”


Building on the success of the SCALE program, the City also continues to advance policies and initiatives that better support local, small businesses and ensure a more transparent and equitable procurement system. Created by Mayor Wu’s home rule petition in 2022, the Inclusive Quote Contracts procurement method—soliciting at least three quotes from certified diverse businesses—allows City officials to use the written quote process to procure higher values of supplies and services up to $250,000 when purchasing from certified small, local, disadvantaged businesses. The City has awarded 54 total Inclusive Quote Contracts, 28 of which were awarded in fiscal year 2025. Since 2022, the City has awarded $7.4 million in contracting dollars to certified businesses through Inclusive Quote Contracts.

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Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council Awards $3 Million in Tax Credits to Businesses to Create, Retain Jobs

Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council Awards $3 Million in Tax Credits to Businesses to Create, Retain Jobs

Projects Will Create 220 New Jobs, Retain 170 Existing Jobs, and Spur over $36 Million in Private Investment 

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC) approved eight projects for participation in the Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP), a program administered by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development that seeks to create new jobs and help businesses grow by offering credits to lower taxes in exchange for job creation commitments. These projects are expected to create 220 net new jobs, retain 170 existing jobs statewide, and leverage more than $36 million in private investment in exchange for $2.98 million in state tax credits.   

This is the third round of awards since the Healey-Driscoll announced reforms to EDIP in April. Initiated by the Mass Leads Act, the new EDIP increases flexibility, transparency, and access for businesses, strengthening Massachusetts’ position as a top business environment.   

“Massachusetts’ competitiveness depends on our ability to support businesses that are investing, innovating, and creating jobs here,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Through Mass Leads, we modernized the Economic Development Incentive Program to be more flexible and transparent, helping companies grow in key industries and strengthening our economy in every region of the state.”  

“These EDIP awards are about backing businesses that are putting down roots, expanding their operations, and hiring locally,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “From Gateway Cities to rural communities, these projects will help drive economic growth, modernize facilities, and create jobs across Massachusetts.” 

“EDIP is one of the Commonwealth’s most effective tools for turning private investment into real economic impact,” said Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley. “This round of awards reflects the diversity and strength of Massachusetts’ economy, particularly in manufacturing and innovation, and underscores our commitment to supporting companies that want to grow and create jobs here.” 

“EDIP is designed to make Massachusetts a more competitive, more accessible place to do business,” said Undersecretary of Business Strategies Zenobia Moochhala. “These projects show how strategic, performance-based incentives can help companies move forward with investments that create jobs, strengthen local economies, and deliver real returns for communities across the state.” 

EDIP is designed to foster job creation and stimulate business growth. A company that participates in EDIP may receive state tax credits in exchange for a commitment to create new jobs, retain existing jobs, and commit private investment to the project. Six of this round’s applicants are manufacturers and two are projects located in Gateway Cities. The EDIP certified projects include:  

Stillman Quality Meats LLC - Hardwick 
This woman-owned, diversified livestock farm and butchery is establishing a USDA-certified value-added meat processing and co-packing plant to serve local businesses. The company will invest $2,946,426 in the project and create 25 jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $375,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Photonis USA NV Inc. – Sturbridge 
A manufacturer of electro-optical technologies developing a night vision manufacturing facility, the company will invest $12 million in the project and create 25 jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $1,020,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Fameccanica North America Inc. – Middleton 
Fameccanica is an Italian robotics manufacturer with a location in Ohio looking to establish an advanced robotics R&D lab in Middleton. The company will invest $1 million in the project and create 68 jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $375,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Epic Polymer Solutions LLC – Grafton 
This manufacturer of monofilament and coated wire is expanding to three shifts to meet increased workload. The company will invest $7,557,642 in the project and create five jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $75,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Yankee Trader Seafood Ltd – Hingham 
Yankee Trader Seafood is a women-owned seafood manufacturer and distributor seeking to purchase a building to expand seafood manufacturing and develop cold storage space in Hingham. The company will invest $7.4 million in the project and create 33 jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $495,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Omni Control Technology – Northbridge 
This contract manufacturer is expanding to meet the manufacturing needs of other businesses including Amazon Robotics and Massachusetts based companies. The company will invest $2.4 million in the project and create 52 jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $520,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Jaz Brush USA Inc. – New Bedford 
Jaz Brush USA is a wholesale distributor of wire brushes and abrasive products that is seeking to expand its warehouse and office space. The company will invest $2,495,000 in the project and create six jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $60,000 in EDIP tax credits. 

Quality Design Cabinet LLC – Fall River 
Quality Design Cabinet is establishing a cabinetry showroom and design center and moving the headquarters of its construction management company to Massachusetts from Rhode Island. The company will invest $1,022,780 in the project and create six jobs in Massachusetts. The EACC has approved $60,000 in EDIP tax credits.
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Governor Healey Delivers $50 Million for Road Paving to Enhance Safety, Improve Travel

Governor Healey Delivers $50 Million for Road Paving to Enhance Safety, Improve Travel 

Funding provided to 34 communities to pave approximately 217 miles of roads  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is awarding $50 million to 34 municipalities to pave 217 miles of roads to enhance safety and improve travel. The funds come from the Municipal Pavement Program and are available for municipally owned state numbered routes, with an emphasis on National Highway System (NHS) roadways. 

“This investment in municipal paving is about delivering significant improvements that make a difference in the lives of people across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By helping cities and towns repair and maintain local roads, we’re making every day travel safer, supporting local economies, and easing the burden on municipal budgets – so residents can see and feel the impact of their government at work." 

“As a former mayor, I know strong local roads are essential to strong communities. This municipal paving program ensures cities and towns have the resources they need to fix aging infrastructure, improve safety, and keep people and goods moving,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re proud to partner with municipalities to make targeted investments that improve quality of life and support local decision-making.” 

“Roads are the backbone of our transportation system, and maintaining them is essential to a regionally equitable, statewide transportation network,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “These improvements will make it faster and safer for people to get to work, school, downtown, and wherever else they need to go, while easing a costly burden for cities and towns. I’m proud the Senate included this funding in our budget and grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for delivering these resources to communities across the Commonwealth.” 

“This funding will help to improve road safety, lessen the strain on municipal budgets, and improve commutes for residents across Massachusetts,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey, my colleagues in the House, and our partners in the Senate for their commitment to bettering the Commonwealth’s infrastructure and to supporting our cities and towns.” 

“This grant funding will enable our municipal partners to deliver essential upgrades that helps to ensure their roads are safe and in a state of good repair, improving quality of life for their residents and businesses,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary & MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their leadership in providing these invaluable funds and for the continued support from the legislature.  It is a privilege for MassDOT to facilitate the success of cities and towns through programs like the Municipal Pavement Program, which advance everyone’s mission to deliver a well balanced transportation network across the Commonwealth.”  

“Since its launch in 2021, the Municipal Pavement Program has been a vital resource for cities and towns. We’ve helped to deliver over $125 million in funding and supported upgrades to over 615 miles of municipal roadways,” said Undersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We look forward to working together with our municipal partners to plan and build out these projects, and to make these critical transportation upgrades a reality.” 

“Timely investments to address roadway upgrades and maintenance can prevent larger, more costly disruptions in the future.  Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for partnering with the legislature to bring these needed resources to communities across the state,” said State Representative and Transportation Committee Chair James Arciero.    

"Investing in our roads isn't merely maintenance; it's a direct investment that ensures safer daily travel, better public safety, and provides the fundamental infrastructure that fuels municipal success," said State Senator and Transportations Committee Chair Brendan Crighton. "Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassDOT for continuing to partner with our cities and towns to make sure that we prioritize these essential transportation improvements." 

Projects are selected by MassDOT each fiscal year based on pavement condition data, the proportion of state numbered routes in poor condition in a municipality, and geographic equity. MassDOT works closely with selected communities to develop a scope of work for each roadway segment. All work is conducted by MassDOT contractors in coordination with the municipality.  

The following cities and towns will receive funding in Fiscal Year 2027:  

  • Cummington – Route 112 

  • North Adams – Route 8A 

  • West Stockbridge – Route 41 

  • Williamstown – Route 43 

  • Worthington – Route 112 

  • Agawam – Route 75 

  • Agawam – Route 57 

  • Westfield – Route 10 and Route 202 

  • Westhampton – Route 66 

  • Leominster – Route 117 

  • Uxbridge – Route 98 

  • Worcester – Route 122 

  • Bedford – Route 4 

  • Carlisle – Route 225 

  • Salem – Route 114 

  • Harwich – Route 124 

  • Harwich – Route 39 

  • Kingston – Route 106 

  • Norfolk – Route 115 

  • Plympton – Route 58 

  

The following cities and towns will receive funding in Fiscal Year 2028: 

  • Adams – Route 8 

  • Cheshire – Route 116 

  • Savoy – Route 116 

  • Hadley – Route 47 

  • Northampton – Route 66 

  • Springfield – Route 141 

  • Brookfield – Route 148 

  • Paxton – Route 31 

  • Sudbury – Route 27 

  • Billerica – Route 129 

  • Georgetown – Route 133 

  • Rowley – Route 133 

  • Brewster – Route 137 

  • Bridgewater – Route 104 

  • Truro – Route 6A 

  • Newton – Route 30  

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星期二, 12月 16, 2025

僑聲音樂劇社邀近百人齊聚慶聖誕 預告明年2月、6月演折子戲、帝女花

僑生音樂劇社社長李伍碧香（左三）和黃國威（右三），邀嘉賓（左起）
波士頓市議員Ed Flynn，中華公所主席雷國輝和僑聲前主席雷玉霞、梁永基
祝賀出席者聖誕快樂。（周菊子攝）
                   （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）僑聲音樂劇社12月14日傍晚，在紐英崙中華公所禮堂慶祝2025聖誕。會長李伍碧香預告，該社明年2月7 日（週六）將演出折子戲，演唱粵曲，6月7日（週六）要再次推出「帝女花」全劇。

黃國威是僑聲音樂劇社的常青樹。（周菊子攝）
                  僑聲2名社長李伍碧香和黃國威原本預期這天會有100多人共聚同樂，在團員們各自帶菜，贊助者慷慨捐贈之下，準備了十分豐盛的菜餚，不但有西式牛排，洋芋泥，櫛瓜，炸春捲，炸豆腐，蔬菜沙拉，腐皮，紫菜飯糰，以及芋頭西米露，木瓜糖水，蛋糕等甜點，而且居然還有滷白蘿蔔咖哩魚丸，讓出席者開心的大快朵頤。

                  只是沒想到，這天竟正好遇上波士頓市區的第一場雪，怕風雪路滑的人，結果都沒出門，於是擺好的座位，居然沒坐滿。

李伍碧香預告，僑聲音樂劇社明年2月，6月有大演出。（周菊子攝）
                  黃國威歡迎社員，僑界，以及遠道從紐約來的票友到場後，敦請波士頓市議員愛德華費林（Ed Flynn）和紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝致詞。

                  費連議員表示自己很榮幸應邀出席這聖誕新年的假日慶祝活動，讚許僑聲音樂社以音樂、藝術來傳承文化，這些活動令到波士頓市，美國生活更豐富。

李伍碧香（左）和雷玉霞（又）等僑聲社員為出席嘉賓打菜。（周菊子攝）
                  雷國輝稱許僑聲音樂劇社歷史悠久，已成立86到87年，近年2度踏進愛默生學院派拉蒙中心劇院演出，把社區活動帶得更上層樓，為華埠增光不少，都是2名社長和所有社員的功勞。

                  僑聲音樂劇社自從搬離愛丁堡羅街，入駐中華公所大樓後，陸續有愛唱粵曲的大佬黃君裕，樂師科班出身的梅炳鈿等人辭世，再加上有些人為交通便利，轉而加入在昆士市的新興粵曲社團等，整體而言，劇社人員有不少變化。

                  不過這晚，不少僑聲的台柱，舊人，包括資歷極深的梁雁英，和黃國威搭檔多年的雷玉霞，梁永基夫婦，曾任社長的李厚鵬，近5

左起，阮謝少珍，李爐連馨，黃偉健夫人等人都來幫社長李伍碧香服務到會嘉賓。
（周菊子攝）
年才加入的黃氏宗親會前主席黃偉健等人，都來到會場和新朋舊友打招呼。

                  當晚應邀出席到場的，還有中華公所的新舊屆職員，張青梅，余寶愛，伍振中，翁宇才，以及中華公所董事陳建立，陳黃海蘭夫婦，陳秀珍，關麗莎，司徒宗達，黃紹培，何遠光和華埠主街經理何陳素貞，台山同鄉聯誼會顧問鄺元傑，曾任黃氏宗親會主席的黃光野，黃光沐，黃開洪等許多人，會場內聯誼氣氛濃厚。



波士頓市議員Ed Flynn致詞。（周菊子攝）
中華公所新屆中文書記張青梅，財政余寶愛和伍氏公所的伍慧儀，伍詹淑慧
同桌享用聖誕餐。（周菊子攝）
中華公所董事黃紹培（又）和台山相親會顧問鄺元傑舉起刀插，抽獎券，開心過節。
（周菊子攝）
中華公所董事何遠光和華埠主街經理和陳素珍連袂出席。（周菊子攝）

中華公所董事陳建立、陳黃海蘭高舉中獎彩券。（周菊子攝）
關麗莎（左）和司徒宗達穿著很有節日氣氛的T恤出席。（周菊子攝）
曾任僑生音樂劇社社長的李厚鵬已退休多年，這天也回來參加活動。（周菊子攝）
僑生音樂劇社聖誕趴雖受下雪影響，也有七、八十人出席。（周菊子攝）
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Governor Healey Strengthens Support for Seasonal Communities to Support Housing Development and Lower Costs

 Governor Healey Strengthens Support for Seasonal Communities to Support Housing Development and Lower Costs  

Administration extends Seasonal Communities designation to 18 additional communities and launches new funding opportunities 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures. 

 

Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).  

 

The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:   

  • All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;   
  • All municipalities with over 35% seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and   
  • All municipalities with more than 40% seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.   

   

To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes. Based on those factors, HLC has offered additional designations to: 

  • Six towns in Barnstable County: Barnstable, Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich and Yarmouth 
  • Ten towns in Berkshire County: Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown 
  • Two towns in Franklin County: Hawley and Monroe    

 

“Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts’ cultural and economic fabric, but they’re also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round,” said Governor Healey. “That’s why we’re committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I’m thrilled that we’re offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season.” 

 

“These cities and towns are more than just vacation destinations, and the entire region feels it when year-round residents can’t afford to stay in the communities they serve,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We must continue expanding and building on the Seasonal Communities designation because it enables our administration to direct support where it’s needed most, as well as protect the character of the seasonal communities that make our state such a special place to visit and call home.” 

 

“We know many coastal and tourist-driven communities struggle to maintain year-round housing because so many homes are used seasonally or as short-term rentals. This designation gives those places specific tools to protect their year-round housing stock and support local workers who need places to live," said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “HLC is working hard to help ensure that these communities remain real year-round places where teachers, first responders, service workers and longtime residents can afford to live — not just seasonal destinations.” 

 

As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven’t accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration. 

 

The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:  

  • Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing 
  • Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live 
  • Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents 
  • Create year-round housing for artists 
  • Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment 
  • Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing 
  • Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots 
  • Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners’ primary residence 

 

In addition to these tools, HLC is also now accepting applications for the new Seasonal Communities Grant Program, which supports Seasonal Communities in addressing their community and housing development needs. Only communities that have already accepted the Seasonal Communities designation are eligible to apply. Funding can support:  

  • Planning work: such as housing needs assessments, zoning updates and local planning for new housing. 
  • Direct housing activities: such as supporting development projects, creating or capitalizing local year-round housing trusts, or accessing technical assistance. 
  • Infrastructure projects that support new year-round housing: such as sewer or water upgrades, utility extensions, road and safety improvements, or other related work.  

 

More information is available online, and applications are due by Jan. 9, 2026. 

 

HLC published draft Seasonal Communities regulations in September, accepted public comment through Oct. 31 and is on track to issue final regulations by Dec. 31, 2025. The regulations are intended to address many of the unique challenges facing their constituents living in communities that face seasonal swings in employment, population and housing demand. 

 

The Affordable Homes Act that created the Seasonal Communities designation was the state’s most ambitious investment in housing in history. The law, together with the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s other initiatives such as converting vacant state-owned land into housing, commercial to residential housing conversions, implementation of the MBTA Communities Law, creation of the Momentum Fund, and sizable increases in housing tax credits and subsidies is already delivering results for the people of Massachusetts. As a result, more than 90,000 new homes have been built or are in development since Governor Healey took office.     

 

The administration is also delivering immediate relief for Massachusetts residents amidst the housing shortage. In addition to making it easier and cheaper to build accessory dwelling units, the Affordable Homes Act gave homebuyers a clear right to a home inspection to identify potential issues or unexpected expenses as they make a major financial decision. Governor Healey also banned forced renter-paid broker fees, saving renters thousands of dollars each time they move. By funding more affordable housing projects with increased tax credits, investing more resources in public housing with increased capital investment, and working to preserve rental vouchers despite limited federal funding, Governor Healey is bolstering many more policies and programs to reduce the overall cost of housing across the state. 

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