Statement from Governor Healey on JPMorganChase’s Expansion in Boston

Statement from Governor Healey on JPMorganChase’s Expansion in Boston 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today issued the following statement on JPMorganChase’s announcement that it will relocate to the South Station Tower in Boston and add hundreds of new jobs. 

 

“Massachusetts is leading because we are building an economy where businesses want to invest and grow. It’s great that JPMorganChase is expanding in Boston and choosing South Station Tower as its new home, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the city and strengthening our role as a global hub for financial services,” said Governor Healey. “This project is part of the continued momentum we’re seeing across Massachusetts, with companies choosing to grow here, invest in our world-class talent and be part of our long-term economic future. My administration is going to our work to make it easier and more affordable to live and do business in Massachusetts by lowering costs, building more housing and upgrading our transportation system.”  

 

This announcement comes as part of a wave of business expansions and investment across Massachusetts, which Governor Healey highlighted last week in her address to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

波士頓市長吳弭宣佈3/17日為波士頓市「撤軍日」（圖片輯）

波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle wu，中）宣佈，2026年3月17日為波士頓市撤軍日。
麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey，左三）與政要一同來賀。（周菊子攝）

麻州州長奚莉提醒人們，麻州是美國誕生地。一眾政要同來紀念撤軍日。（周菊子攝）

薩福克大學歷史教授Robert Allison高舉「撤軍日」告示，和眾人一起慶祝。（周菊子攝）

革命250主任Jonathan Lane歡迎聯邦眾議員Stephen Lynch上台講話。（周菊子攝）

英軍和大炮。（周菊子攝）

英軍。（周菊子攝）

美軍。（周菊子攝）

多徹斯特高地。（周菊子攝）

多徹斯特高地上的紀念碑。（周菊子攝）

扮演民兵。（周菊子攝）

小朋友來學習250年前的歷史。（周菊子攝）

革命250主任Jonathan Lane致詞。（周菊子攝）

黃氏宗親會馬年喜訊多 波士頓市長吳弭全家來賀 宗親捐半份遺產上看200萬美元 （圖片輯）

Statement from Governor Healey on Federal Court Decision Blocking Changes to RFK’s Damaging Childhood Vaccine Guidance

Statement from Governor Healey on Federal Court Decision Blocking Changes to RFK’s Damaging Childhood Vaccine Guidance  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey released the following statement in response to a federal court decision blocking changes made by President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to childhood vaccine recommendations. The Trump’s Administration’s vaccine schedule was widely criticized by pediatricians and other experts for putting the health and wellbeing of American children and families at risk. 

 

“Massachusetts continues to lead the way by basing our public health decisions on science, not politics. When President Trump and Secretary Kennedy tried to take away access to vaccines, we stepped up to protect residents and to make sure families here could still get the safe, effective immunizations they rely on. This decision does not change our approach, but it reinforces what we have said all along: those efforts were not about protecting public health. Our focus remains on what we have been doing from day one: protecting residents and making sure people have access to trusted, evidence-based care.” 

 

Governor Healey has taken decisive action to protect access to vaccines and ensure residents receive clear, science-based guidance, including taking immediate steps to guarantee residents access to vaccines statewide in response to shifting federal recommendations, requiring insurance companies to cover vaccines recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regardless of federal guidance, issuing independent, evidence-based vaccine guidance to provide residents with clear direction grounded in science, maintaining the full, evidence-based childhood immunization schedule aligned with leading medical organizations.  

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration will continue to work with other states, public health experts, providers and community partners to protect the health and safety of Massachusetts residents.  

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $4 Million in Grants to Municipalities for IT Projects

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $4 Million in Grants to Municipalities for IT Projects

Grants will help make local government websites more accessible and secure 

 

BOSTON - The Healey-Driscoll administration today announced $4 million in grants to support 67 Massachusetts cities and towns through the Community Compact annual grant program.  

 

For the first time in the program’s history, Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding prioritizes accessibility projects, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II Digital Accessibility Rule. This rule mandates that state and local governments make their websites, mobile apps and other digital content accessible to people with disabilities. 

 

Awarded projects will also enhance cybersecurity and implement new digital tools that make municipal operations more efficient. The full list of FY26 recipients can be found at this link.

 

“Every Massachusetts resident should have access to effective government services that make their lives easier,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We prioritized accessibility improvements with this year’s IT grant awards to make sure that our cities and towns can provide everyone in their communities with the important information they need.” 

 

“We are proud to have a strong partnership with Massachusetts cities and towns, and a shared commitment to government that works for everyone in the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These grants will support our municipal colleagues in modernizing their digital practices, keeping records safe and secure, and making website content more useable for residents.” 

 

Since Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16), the IT Grant Program has provided 602 grants to support 315 municipalities/school district projects totaling $38.1 million in funding. The program drives innovation and transformation at the local level by funding one-time capital needs such as technology infrastructure or software. Eligible costs include incidental or one-time expenses related to capital planning, design, installation, implementation, and initial training.

 

Attleboro, Barnstable, Canton, Foxborough, Revere, Shelburne, Sudbury, Westfield, and Worcester are among the municipalities receiving FY26 funds to support making digital content more accessible. 

 

“These grants are strategic investments in the digital infrastructure that Massachusetts cities and towns need to effectively serve residents,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “By investing in IT projects, particularly those that increase accessibility, we are making local governments across the state more effective and more responsive to communities’ needs. Congratulations to the award winners and I look forward to seeing these projects completed.” 

 

“Our municipal partners across Massachusetts are working every day to deliver high-quality services and information to our residents,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary Jason Snyder. “These grants allow cities and towns to modernize their websites, strengthen cybersecurity, and streamline operations. By prioritizing accessibility this year, we’re helping municipalities build digital platforms that better serve all residents while improving efficiency and protecting critical local systems.”

 

The IT Grant is one of two grants (along with Municipal Fiber) that the Healey-Driscoll administration is offering through the Community Compact program in Fiscal Year 2026 to support communities across Massachusetts. More information is available at this link. 

麻州助民眾建可負擔附屬居住單元 提供高達25萬元第二貸款

Governor Healey and MassHousing Launch Affordable ADU Financing for Massachusetts Residents 

Second mortgages of up to $250,000 will help homeowners add an additional unit to their home 

Housing Undersecretary Nikko Mendoza （Middle, by Chutze chou)

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration and MassHousing announced today the launch of a new, statewide accessory dwelling unit (ADU) loan program for Massachusetts homeowners. The new ADU loan program, announced last December, will provide second mortgages of up to $250,000 to help eligible homeowners across Massachusetts add an additional housing unit to their property. Eligible Massachusetts homeowners may apply for ADU mortgage financing beginning today. 

“Expanding housing options for Massachusetts residents is one of our administration’s top priorities, and accessory dwelling units are one of the most practical ways to create housing and drive down costs in communities across our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We made ADUs legal statewide through the Affordable Homes Act, and now we’re partnering with MassHousing to help more homeowners actually build them. This program will open the door for families to create new homes, support loved ones and strengthen neighborhoods across Massachusetts.” 

“Homeowners want a clear, affordable path to build an ADU, and financing is often the biggest hurdle,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By offering fixed-rate second mortgages of up to $250,000 through trusted community lenders, we're helping more families move from plans and permits to construction. ADUs can support multigenerational living, help seniors stay close to family and create new rental opportunities in communities statewide.” 

“Our goal is to make ADUs a real option for more homeowners, not just those with significant equity,” said Jennifer Maddox, Interim Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “By expanding access to affordable financing, we’re helping more residents take advantage of the new law to expand their housing options for themselves, family members or renters.” 

“MassHousing is proud to support the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s efforts to bring accessible, affordable ADU financing within reach of homeowners of all means, in all regions of our state,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “Accessory dwelling units give homeowners the flexibility to meet their housing needs by creating an additional housing unit on their property for intergenerational family housing, or to create rental income. ADU construction empowers homeowners to help expand the state’s housing stock, and MassHousing’s new ADU loan program will help ensure that ADUs are within reach of moderate-income homeowners.” 

“MassHousing’s new ADU loan program serves the needs of moderate-income Massachusetts families, by providing a fixed-rate second mortgage product at a lower interest rate and higher combined loan to value limits than are currently available through a home equity line of credit,” said Mounzer Aylouche, Vice President of Homeownership Programs at MassHousing. “We thank our statewide network of community lenders for their work to quickly stand up this new program, and we are excited to begin helping local families construct new housing units.” 

Accessory dwelling units are small residential living spaces that are located on the same lot as another home. The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s Affordable Homes Act removed a significant obstacle to ADU construction by legalizing the construction of ADUs in single-family zoning districts statewide. The Administration’s action on ADUs created a simple and effective tool for increasing housing production statewide and lowering housing costs. 

In December, Governor Healey launched a new campaign to accelerate ADU construction across Massachusetts. The governor announced a new ADU design challenge that will help bring replicable, no-cost ADU designs to consumers and communities; a $10 million technical assistance program, administered by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), to accelerate predevelopment activities related to ADU construction; and new ADU financing through MassHousing. 

Today’s announcement advances the Governor’s ADU campaign by bringing flexible, affordable ADU construction financing to homeowners throughout Massachusetts. 

The MassHousing ADU loan supports new ADU construction, either within the envelope of an existing home or elsewhere on a homeowner’s lot. The loan is a fixed-rate second mortgage product that finances construction costs up to $250,000 for detached accessory dwelling units, and up to $150,000 for attached accessory dwelling units. 

The program is structured to allow qualified Massachusetts homeowners to maximize their borrowing power, without burdening them with excessive debt. The product will be structured as an interest-bearing loan amortizing over a period of 20 years, matched with additional funding offered at zero percent interest and deferred repayment terms. This creative loan structure lowers the effective interest rates for borrowers and allows consumers to access greater overall loan amounts. MassHousing will offer ADU loans to qualified homeowners at an interest rate of 5.25%. 

Eligible applicants will meet MassHousing’s statutory income limits of up to 135 percent of the area median income (ranging from $205,335 for a household living in eastern Massachusetts, to $165,345 in Worcester County, to $129,870 in Hampden County) and meet other loan underwriting criteria. 

MassHousing’s new ADU loan product is intended to act strictly as construction-to-permanent financing. It will serve homeowners who have designs and permits for their ADU in hand. 

MassHousing anticipates that potential borrowers may access MHP technical assistance funding to accomplish predevelopment activities, including design and permitting, then apply for MassHousing financing when they are ready to finance construction of their ADU. 

Homeowners should apply for MassHousing ADU financing after they have secured local permits and are ready to move forward with construction. Interested homeowners can learn more about the program and connect with participating lenders by visiting masshousing.com/adu. 

Since taking office, Governor Healey has focused on expanding pathways to homeownership, increasing housing production and lowering costs. Her administration has advanced new efforts to help first-time homebuyers, including expanding down payment assistance and lowering mortgage rates to make it easier for Massachusetts residents to buy their first home. At the same time, to build more homes, she has taken action to speed up the permitting process, turn state land into thousands of new homes, convert downtown commercial space into apartments and create a first-in-the-nation fund to finance mixed-income development in a time of high interest rates. She also legalized accessory dwelling unts. To help people afford their mortgages and rents right now, she banned mandatory renter-paid broker fees, gave seniors up to $2,800 a year to help with housing costs, and expanded home inspection protections. 

Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism to Spotlight Global Events, MA250 and Industry Growth

 Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism to Spotlight Global Events, MA250 and Industry Growth  

DANVERS – Tourism and hospitality leaders from across Massachusetts will gather on March 24 and 25 in Danvers for the 2026 Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism, the state’s annual conference focused on strengthening Massachusetts’ tourism industry and preparing destinations for future growth. 

With Massachusetts 250 celebrations, FIFA World Cup matches in Boston and Sail Boston on the horizon, industry leaders will focus on how the state can harness these global events to drive economic growth, strengthen communities and position Massachusetts as a premier destination for visitors from around the world. 

 “Massachusetts is preparing to welcome the world in the coming years, with major global events like the FIFA World Cup, Sail Boston and the celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary bringing new visitors and new opportunities to our state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Tourism is a powerful driver of jobs and economic growth, and this conference is an opportunity to showcase everything that makes Massachusetts special and keep our state a top destination for travelers.” 

“2026 is our opportunity to lead,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “In a rapidly changing global environment, Massachusetts succeeds when we work together. Through strong partnerships across tourism, culture, business, and technology, we are solving challenges, elevating our shared story, and putting our best foot forward on the world stage. Collaboration is how we honor our history and shape a stronger future.” 

“Tourism today demands both imagination and execution,” said Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley. “We are embracing new tools like AI, elevating our creative economy and positioning our strengths in science, technology, and education as powerful visitor assets. By aligning culture, innovation, and global strategy, Massachusetts is not only adapting to change, we are leading through it and turning this historic moment into sustained economic growth.” 

Tourism remains a major driver of the Massachusetts economy. The state welcomed more than 52 million visitors in 2024 who spent over $24 billion statewide, supporting more than 155,000 jobs and generating more than $2 billion in state and local tax revenue.  

The two-day conference will explore how destinations can respond strategically to global travel shifts while leveraging cultural assets such as film, music, and museums to drive growth. Sessions will examine how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are reshaping how travelers can discover destinations, how music tourism can benefit both residents and visitors, and how partnerships with the creative sector can strengthen communities. 

Fred Dixon, President and CEO of Brand USA, will headline the luncheon keynote with insights on international marketing and global competitiveness. Josh Friedlander of U.S. Travel will present the latest industry data and forecasts to ground discussions in current travel trends and market realities. 

A featured plenary session, “Global Moments, Local Impact,” will examine how upcoming events including Massachusetts 250, Sail Boston, and the FIFA World Cup present once-in-a-generation opportunities for economic growth, international exposure, and strengthen Massachusetts long term position as a leading global destination. 

Throughout the program, conference attendees will engage in sessions including: 

·          Unlocking AI for the next era of tourism 

·          Marketing to the multilingual traveler on a local budget 

·          Leveraging music and the creative economy 

·          Integrating reputation strategy with revenue growth 

·          Positioning Massachusetts as the ultimate STEM tourism destination 

The conference will also celebrate leaders whose contributions have shaped the state’s cultural and tourism landscape. 

2026 Award Recipients: 

·          Rhonda and Steve Woodman, Award of Appreciation, for their enduring service and stewardship of Woodman’s of Essex, a culinary institution and tourism landmark. 

·          Laurie Norton Moffatt, recipient of the Larry D. Meehan Award, honoring 45 years of leadership at the Norman Rockwell Museum and her transformative impact on arts and cultural tourism. 

·          Virginia Bristol-Johnson, Massachusetts Film Award recipient, is recognized for her distinguished career as a costume designer and her contributions to Massachusetts’ growing film industry. 

·          Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere Memorial Association, recipient of the Revolutionary Award for advancing Revolutionary history through dynamic public engagement and stewardship of one of the state’s most iconic sites. 

“These awardees reflect the depth of talent and commitment across Massachusetts,” said Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “From culinary heritage to film, from museums to Revolutionary landmarks, they demonstrate how cultural assets drive visitation, community pride and economic impact.” 

In a year defined by global attention and shifting travel patterns, Massachusetts is positioning itself not only as the birthplace of the American Revolution, but as a forward-looking destination where history, innovation and creative industries intersect. 

For more information about the Massachusetts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism, visit: https://massgovernorsconference.com/.