Healey-Driscoll Administration, Local Leaders Celebrate Completion of Braga Bridge Permanent Safety Lighting

Healey-Driscoll Administration, Local Leaders Celebrate Completion of Braga Bridge Permanent Safety Lighting 

Upgrades enhance safety and modernize the Bridge’s electrical system while illuminating one of the South Coast’s most recognizable landmarks 

FALL RIVER — The Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and the City of Fall River celebrated the completion of a major modernization project that upgraded the Braga Bridge’s aging and electrical lighting systems while adding permanent architectural lighting to one of the South Coast’s most recognizable landmarks.  

 

For 60 years, the Braga Bridge has connected communities across the South Coast while serving as one of Fall River’s defining landmarks. The project modernized the electrical and lighting infrastructure by replacing aging systems that had reached the end of their useful life, enhancing the safety and reliability of the bridge’s operations while creating a new nighttime landmark for residents and visitors to enjoy. The aesthetic lighting system is up to safety standards with lights that are required for the approaching vessels and aircraft.  

 

“The Braga Bridge is an iconic part of the Fall River skyline and a critical transportation connection for the South Coast,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This project makes travel safer for residents, workers and visitors alike by modernizing the bridge’s lighting systems and creates a lasting landmark that will continue to be part of Fall River’s history. Our administration is committed to investing in infrastructure and transportation upgrades that strengthen our local communities.”  

 

“As a former mayor, I know how much an iconic landmark can mean to a community, and that’s certainly true of the Braga Bridge,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “For generations, this bridge has been part of Fall River’s identity. These improvements preserve an important piece of the city’s history while giving residents and visitors something they’ll enjoy safely for years to come.” 

“The Braga Bridge has long been a symbol of Fall River, a point of pride for the South Coast, and a critical connection for people and commerce,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to invest in the communities we serve, and this new lighting system on the Braga Bridge demonstrates MassDOT’s commitment to deliver meaningful improvements that modernize our transportation infrastructure, drive economic vitality, and build community pride. The Braga Bridge is an iconic landmark, and will now shine brightly with new lighting highlighting Fall River and its skyline for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.”   

“The Braga Bridge is one of the most important transportation connections in southeastern Massachusetts, and one of the Commonwealth’s most distinctive bridges,” said MassDOT Undersecretary and Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “The lighting project reflects the history and significance of the bridge to Fall River and to the entire South Coast. MassDOT is proud to help preserve, maintain, and celebrate a critical piece of infrastructure that is both essential to daily travel and deeply meaningful to the communities it serves.” 

Opened in 1966, the Braga Bridge carries approximately 90,000 vehicles each day, strengthening connections across the South Coast and between Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Prior to the construction, the electrical wiring was over 35 years old, and the navigational lighting was also past its prime making it unsafe. The project modernized the bridge’s electrical and lighting systems through a series of infrastructure improvements, including: 

 

• Replacing aging electrical wiring and lighting systems. 
• Installing new decorative architectural lighting. 
• Reconstructing light-pole anchorages and barriers. 
• Replacing navigation, highway and aviation lighting. 
• Building a new maintenance access platform to safely support future lighting operations. 

These upgrades and improvements included decorative lighting, which was requested by the City and local government officials. The new decorative lighting will enhance the nighttime appearance of the bridge and further establish it as a civic landmark for residents, businesses, and visitors. 

DPU Launches New Grant Program to Help Communities Participate in Energy Infrastructure Decisions

DPU Launches New Grant Program to Help Communities Participate in Energy Infrastructure Decisions 

 

The new Program will fund participation in DPU and EFSB regulatory proceedings 
 

 

BOSTON — Today, the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has taken a major stride in promoting transparency and enhancing public engagement by establishing the Intervenor Support Grant Program (Program). The new Program provides financial assistance to eligible community groups, municipalities, and other qualifying entities so that they can effectively participate in future DPU and Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) proceedings. By reducing financial barriers to participation, the Program will increase the diversity of voices and viewpoints able to engage in certain proceedings. The Intervenor Support Grant Program is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s comprehensive reforms to the siting and permitting of new energy infrastructure. 

 

“This is an important milestone for environmental justice and community engagement in Massachusetts,” said Commissioner Staci Rubin. “As a member of the Commission on Energy Infrastructure Siting and Permitting, I am proud that the state can support organizations and municipalities who previously were unable to fully participate in the process of siting new energy infrastructure. We welcome the opportunity for communities to participate directly in finding energy solutions that benefit us all.” 

 

“The Intervenor Support Grant Program helps level the playing field by giving eligible groups and municipalities the resources they need to participate in proceedings that directly affect them,” said Chair Jeremy McDiarmid. “We are reducing financial barriers and in turn strengthening public participation. This work reflects the needs and experiences of the state’s ratepayers.” 

 

“We’re doing more to bring voices to the table and make sure they’re being heard at every step of the decision-making process,” said Commissioner Liz Anderson. “The Program is another step towards more equitable proceedings and siting practices that will streamline the state’s energy goals with community-forward outcomes.”   

 

Both the DPU and the EFSB review petitions and make decisions based on evidence presented by different parties involved, such as the project developer, host community, or other groups that are directly impacted and have been granted intervenor status. These parties present evidence, conduct cross-examinations, make information requests, and hire expert witnesses. Even if eligible to join the proceeding as intervenors, many under-resourced organizations and municipalities struggle to fund the legal representation and technical expertise required to participate meaningfully in these proceedings. Now with grant funding available, eligible groups can contribute local knowledge, lived experience, and perspectives that may otherwise go unheard, resulting in a stronger record, a more informed process, and better outcomes.  

 

The Intervenor Support Grant Program allows grantees to cover fees for attorneys, expert witnesses, community experts, and other eligible expenses. Grantees may be eligible to receive up to $150,000 per proceeding. Funding is capped at a total of $500,000 across grantees in a proceeding. 

 

The DPU’s Division of Public Participation (DPP) will administer funds from the Program. DPP was established by the 2024 Climate Act, and its mission is to inform, educate, and amplify public voices in DPU and EFSB decision making processes. DPP assists stakeholders participating in DPU and EFSB proceedings and implements policies and practices that advance environmental justice and meaningful public participation.  

 

More information about eligibility and how to apply can be found through the Intervenor Support Grant Program page and the Grant portal.    

波士頓市加入全美1500個學區 控告Meta、TikTok、Snapchat與YouTube損害青少年心理健康

 （Boston Orange編譯）波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）7月8日宣佈，市府代表波士頓公校（BPS），加入全美1500多個學區的聯合訴訟，控告Meta、TikTok、Snapchat與YouTube等社交媒體，以成癮性設計鎖定未成年人，損害了學生心理健康。

吳弭市長表示，這些企業明知社交平台對兒童有害，仍以營利為優先考量，市府將追究責任並要求基本保護標準。波士頓公校總監史基珀（Mary Skipper）指出，波士頓公校系統近年對心理健康服務的需求大幅上升，已有研究佐證，社群媒體對學生有負面影響。

社區機構「拉丁協會（Sociedad Latina）」也支持訴訟，指責科技巨頭為了利潤忽視青少年發展。

數據顯示，波士頓公校高中生表示自己長期感到悲傷的比例，從2015年的27%升至2021年的44%。學區為做因應大幅擴張心理健康資源，聘僱人數從2007年的6名社工及48名心理師，大增至今年的240名社工和105名心理師，並促成25個以上社群心理健康組織組成「波士頓校園行為健康協作組織（Boston School-Based Behavioral Health Collaborative, BSBBHC）」提供直接服務。

訴訟主張，相關公司透過無限滑動、推播通知與演算法推薦等設計，刻意延長使用時間並提高依賴性，同時缺乏有效年齡驗證機制，使未成年用戶易於接觸內容。市府要求業者移除成癮機制，並賠償學區因應學生心理健康需求所增加的成本。

這起訴訟案已在加州北區聯邦法院（U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California）提出，指控業者有過失並構成「公眾妨礙」，將與全美類似案件合併審理。這反映出全美對青少年心理健康危機與社群媒體責任的持續關注。

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES LAWSUIT AGAINST META AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES OVER HARM TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS’ MENTAL HEALTH

BOSTON - July 8, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that the City of Boston, on behalf of Boston Public Schools (BPS), has filed a lawsuit against Meta and other social media companies, including TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, alleging that these platforms deliberately target minors with addictive design features that harm children’s mental health.

 

“Social media companies have evidence of the harm they are causing to our kids by designing platforms that keep them hooked in endless scrolling and monetizing engagement at the expense of their mental health,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston is taking legal action to protect children and youth and hold these companies accountable. Today, we are making it clear that social media companies must end exploitative practices and be accountable to standards of basic protection for children.”

“Boston Public Schools provides critical mental health services for young people in our community through our counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses who have gone above and beyond to meet increasing student needs," said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. "We work hard to set our students on the best course for success through rigorous academics and whole-student supports, and the research is clear that social media has had a negative impact on students' well-being while benefiting companies. We all need to do what is right for our students."

Over the past decade, BPS has seen a significant increase in student mental health needs directly tied to social media use. Consistent with national mental health trends, BPS children and adolescents have reported increasing mental health concerns since the proliferation of social media platforms’ addictive features. For example, in 2021, 44% of BPS high school students reported persistent sadness, up from 27% in 2015. (Boston Public Health Commission, 2024).

"As an out-of-school-time provider, we see firsthand how social media addiction is reshaping childhood. We see young people who struggle to focus, to connect and to simply be present," said Alexandra Oliver-Davila, Executive Director of Sociedad Latina. "These Big Tech companies knew the harm their platforms caused and chose profit over young people's well-being. Sociedad Latina fully supports the City of Boston and The Boston Public Schools decision to hold these companies accountable, because our young people deserve better, in the classroom and beyond it."

Recognizing social media’s profound impact on student well-being and learning, BPS has adopted a comprehensive, data-driven response to the student mental health crisis that integrates prevention, intervention, education, and family engagement. To meet students’ needs, BPS has exponentially expanded its mental health resources in recent years. BPS now employs 240 social workers and 105 school psychologists, as opposed to 6 social workers and 48 school psychologists in 2007. BPS leads the Boston School-Based Behavioral Health Collaborative (BSBBHC), which brings together more than 25 community mental health organizations to provide direct services to BPS students. 

The City’s lawsuit seeks to hold social media companies accountable by forcing them to remove their addictive features and compensate the City for the mental health support our students need. These platforms designed addictive features like endless scrolling, constant notifications, and targeted algorithms specifically to keep young people hooked. And inadequate age verification has made it easy for children to access these platforms with little protection. As a result, a generation of young people have been left struggling with mental health crises, and school districts have been the front line in this crisis.   

Boston’s lawsuit was filed in federal court in the Northern District of California and alleges the youth mental health crisis Defendants have created constitutes a public nuisance, and that Defendants’ conduct was negligent. The case will be consolidated with the complaints filed by more than 1,500 school districts across the country.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $5 Million to Expand Early Childhood Mental Health Support Across Massachusetts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $5 Million to Expand Early Childhood Mental Health Support Across Massachusetts 

 Funding will help educators and families support young children's social-emotional development and success in the classroom 

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $5 million in grants to expand early childhood mental health consultation services for children, families, educators and early education providers across Massachusetts. Through the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), five regional organizations have been selected to provide statewide Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) services. 

The grants will help early education and care programs access specialized consultation better support children's social-emotional development, promote school readiness, strengthen classroom environments and connect families with additional services when needed.  Grantees will work with programs to implement trauma-informed policies and practices, strengthen educators' ability to identify and respond to behavioral, developmental, and mental health needs, and implement evidence-based positive behavior supports. They will also help programs build stronger partnerships with families through individualized behavior support plans, referrals to community-based services, and strategies that support children's success both in the classroom and at home. 

“Mental health challenges continue to affect children across Massachusetts, and these grants will help educators and families better support their mental health, improve learning and connect young children with services that can make a lasting difference,” said Governor Maura Healey. 

“These grants will provide programs across Massachusetts with expert mental health consultation, giving educators and families the support they need to create nurturing, inclusive learning environments where every child can succeed,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.  

Mental health consultants work directly with educators, families and early education programs to strengthen classroom environments and provide evidence-based strategies that support children's healthy development. Services include educator coaching, classroom observations, behavior support planning, and connections to community-based resources such as Early Intervention, special education, and behavioral health services when additional support is needed. 

"Supporting children's social-emotional development during the earliest years is essential to helping them succeed in school and in life," said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. "These grants ensure educators and families have access to the expertise and resources they need to create safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments." 

"Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment where they feel safe and supported," said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. "These grants will strengthen the supports available to early educators and families across the Commonwealth, helping programs respond to children's social-emotional and behavioral needs while creating inclusive classrooms where every child — and their educators — can thrive." 

The FY27 Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation grant recipients are: 

• Collaborative for Educational Services: $1,157,712 

Cities and towns served: Adams, Agawam, Alford, Amherst, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ashfield, Athol, Barre, Becket, Belchertown, Bernardston, Blandford, Brimfield, Brookfield, Buckland, Charlemont, Charlton, Cheshire, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Clarksburg, Colrain, Conway, Cummington, Dalton, Deerfield, Dudley, East Brookfield, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Egremont, Erving, Florida, Gardner, Gill, Goshen, Granby, Granville, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Hadley, Hampden, Hancock, Hardwick, Hatfield, Hawley, Heath, Hinsdale, Holland, Holyoke, Hubbardston, Huntington, Lanesborough, Lee, Leicester, Lenox, Leverett, Leyden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Middlefield, Monroe, Monson, Montague, Monterey, Montgomery, Mount Washington, New Ashford, New Braintree, New Marlborough, New Salem, North Adams, North Brookfield, Northampton, Northfield, Oakham, Orange, Otis, Palmer, Paxton, Pelham, Peru, Petersham, Phillipston, Pittsfield, Plainfield, Princeton, Richmond, Rowe, Royalston, Russell, Rutland, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Southbridge, Southwick, Spencer, Springfield, Stockbridge, Sturbridge, Sunderland, Templeton, Tolland, Tyringham, Wales, Ware, Warren, Warwick, Washington, Wendell, West Brookfield, West Springfield, West Stockbridge, Westfield, Westhampton, Westminster, Whately, Wilbraham, Williamsburg, Williamstown, Winchendon, Windsor, and Worthington. 

• Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC): $1,174,019 

Cities and towns served: Amesbury, Andover, Bedford, Beverly, Billerica, Boxford, Burlington, Carlisle, Chelmsford,  Danvers, Dracut, Dunstable, Essex, Everett, Georgetown, Gloucester, Groveland, Hamilton, Haverhill, Ipswich, Lawrence, Lexington, Lincoln, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester-by-the Sea, Marblehead, Medford, Melrose, Merrimac, Methuen, Middleton, Nahant, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, North Reading, Peabody, Reading, Rockport, Rowley, Salem, Salisbury, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Tewksbury, Topsfield, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westford, Wilmington, Winchester, and Woburn. 

• Empower, Inc.: $1,004,892 

Cities and towns served: Acton, Arlington, Ashland, Auburn, Ayer, Bellingham, Belmont, Berlin, Blackstone, Bolton, Boxborough, Boylston, Canton, Clinton, Concord, Douglas, Dover, Fitchburg, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Groton, Harvard, Hingham, Holden, Holliston, Hopedale, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lancaster, Leominster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millis, Millville, Natick, Newton, Norfolk, Northborough, Northbridge, Norwell, Norwood, Oxford, Pepperell, Plainville, Scituate, Sharon, Sherborn, Shirley, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sterling, Stow, Sudbury, Sutton, Townsend, Upton, Uxbridge, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Webster, West Boylston, Westborough, Westwood, Worcester, and Wrentham. 

• Justice Resource Institute (JRI): $906,447 

Cities and towns served: Abington, Acushnet, Aquinnah, Attleboro, Avon, Barnstable, Berkley, Bourne, Brewster, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Chatham, Chilmark, Dartmouth, Dennis, Dighton, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Eastham, Easton, Edgartown, Fairhaven, Fall River, Falmouth, Freetown, Gosnold, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Harwich, Holbrook, Kingston, Lakeville, Mansfield, Marion, Marshfield, Mashpee, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, Nantucket, New Bedford, North Attleborough, Norton, Oak Bluffs, Orleans, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Provincetown, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Rockland, Sandwich, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, Tisbury, Truro, Wareham, Wellfleet, West Bridgewater, West Tisbury, Westport, Whitman, and Yarmouth. 

• Walker, Inc.: $706,930 

Cities and towns served: Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Cohasset, Dedham, Hull, Milton, Needham, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Somerville, Wellesley, Weston, Weymouth, and Winthrop. 

Together, these organizations will provide statewide coverage and partner with licensed early education and care programs, including family child care, group and school-age programs, public preschool classrooms, and Head Start programs. 

MAYOR WU APPOINTS FELICIA JACQUES TO BPDA BOARD

 MAYOR WU APPOINTS FELICIA JACQUES TO BPDA BOARD

BOSTON - July 7, 2026 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the nomination of Felicia Jacques to the BPDA Board. Jacques currently serves as the Principal Developer and Manager for Maloney Development. The new appointment, which would fill a vacant seat on the Board most recently held by Dr. Ted Landsmark, will need to be approved by the City Council. Once confirmed, all BPDA Board member seats will be filled and current.

Jacques would be the first Black woman to serve on the BPDA Board. This appointment is part of Mayor Wu’s growth agenda for the city, which is focused on ensuring Boston is a beautiful, welcoming, family-friendly home for everyone.

“I’m thrilled to nominate Felicia Jacques to the board, joining a distinguished group of leaders with deep community experience and professional expertise. Felicia brings decades of direct housing leadership and civic involvement to a role that will further advance our efforts to oversee development, support housing production, and preserve the history and vibrancy of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. 

“Felicia would be a wonderful addition to the BPDA Board, and I look forward to working with her in this new capacity,” said Chief of Planning Kairos Shen. “Not only is she deeply familiar with the development review process in her current role with Maloney Development, but her involvement on various historic and community preservation boards and committees in the city shows her dedication to ensuring Boston continues to be built thoughtfully and pragmatically.”

In her role as Principal and Manager, Jacques will bring to the Board more than 20 years of experience and knowledge in development, zoning, entitlements, financing, and design. Jacques has also been deeply involved in the City of Boston as the Chair of the City’s Community Preservation Committee, and also as part of Historic Boston, Inc., the Boston Landmarks Commission, and as former Board Chair of Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). Prior to her current role with Maloney, she was the Director of Real Estate Development for the Northeast Region for the Community Builders, Inc. She is a member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and lives in Boston with her family.

“I am honored to take this appointment to support Mayor Wu’s goals to increase the creative built environment that meets at the intersection of planning, urban design and architecture and community,” said Felicia Jacques.

The BPDA Board is an official body of five members who vote on final determinations and agreements brought to them by the staff of the Planning Department including planning studies, rezoning initiatives, land dispositions and acquisitions, and development project approvals. The BPDA Board votes following an extensive community vetting and stakeholder review process led by Planning Department staff. Four of the five board members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. One member is appointed by the Governor. Board members serve five-year staggered terms.

New BioNexus Program Expands Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Mission

 New BioNexus Program Expands Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Mission 

NEMC builds on successful track record of accelerating critical microelectronics from development to deployment with expansion into biomanufacturing and beyond 

BOSTON – The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), today launched a major expansion of its role in the region’s defense sector ecosystem through the BioNexus: Massachusetts Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing grant program, which will provide up to $3 million to Massachusetts companies, universities and research institutions to develop biotechnology and biomanufacturing solutions for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM). 

BioNexus expands NEMC's successful model of connecting researchers, startups and manufacturers with federal defense challenges beyond microelectronics and into biotechnology and biomanufacturing, helping accelerate new technologies from research to real-world deployment. 

"Massachusetts has long been a leader in biotechnology and life sciences, and BioNexus builds on that foundation by creating new opportunities for our researchers, entrepreneurs and companies," said Governor Maura Healey. "This partnership will help bring innovative technologies to market faster, create jobs, strengthen our economy and support our national security." 

"Massachusetts has a long history of solving big challenges through innovation, and BioNexus builds on that tradition," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "This program will bring together researchers, startups and manufacturers to develop technologies that support the military while creating new opportunities for businesses and workers across Massachusetts." 

The announcement coincides with the release last week of the Strategic Hub for Innovation, Exchange and Leadership in Defense (SHIELD) report. Drafted by the SHIELD Working Group with input from more than 1,000 Massachusetts stakeholders, the report identifies key challenges and opportunities to strengthen the state's defense innovation ecosystem.  A core recommendation in the report is to unify two complementary missions under MassTech: NEMC’s federal mandate to advance critical technologies from development to deployment and SHIELD’s economic development mission.  

The state will leverage federal matching funds and $100 million of proposed funding in the Mass Wins Act to operationalize the recommendations in the SHIELD Report.  

"NEMC has demonstrated that Massachusetts can successfully connect federal priorities with the talent and innovation happening across our research institutions and private sector," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "BioNexus expands that model into biotechnology and biomanufacturing, creating new opportunities for Massachusetts companies and researchers to help solve critical defense challenges while growing an industry where our state already leads." 

 On Tuesday, June 30, NEMC and leaders from DEVCOM hosted a BioNexus Proposer’s Day at LabCentral in Cambridge. The event brought together more than 150 participants from across the Massachusetts biotechnology, life sciences, research and defense communities to review the program’s technical priorities, application requirements and teaming opportunities. 

Expanding access to additional defense sponsors, BioNexus marks NEMC’s first program in partnership with DEVCOM and extends its proven operating model beyond microelectronics into biotechnology and biomanufacturing. The program offers funding to address 10 DEVCOM-defined challenges ranging from warfighter nutrition and field biosensing to bio-derived materials for military equipment. 

 “The BioNexus program further demonstrates NEMC’s commitment to accelerating translational innovation across critical deep-tech sectors and bridging the gap between research and development and real-world applications,” said NEMC Director Mark Halfman. “We look forward to engaging Massachusetts' world-class life sciences and research ecosystem to address DEVCOM challenges in biotechnology and biomanufacturing” 

BioNexus white paper applications are due July 17, 2026. The complete Call for Projects and application information are available on the NEMC website.  

麻州氣勢基金融資1500萬元推動 3 開發案施工蓋192戶出租屋

 （Boston Orange編譯）麻州政府今（7）日宣佈，從「氣勢基金（Momentum Fund）」融資1500萬元，推動在米爾頓（Milton），弭爾德頓（Middleton ）及紐百利波特（Newburyport）建造3棟樓，192戶嶄新出租屋的住宅開發計劃。

這3項發展計劃已取得地方政府批准，將動用融資來更快開始施工，以爲急需房屋的麻州居民，盡快蓋出房子來。

「氣勢基金（Momentum Fund）」迄今已累計支持在全州建造627戶住宅。是麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）在2024年8月簽署設立，全美首創的循環式融資工具，借由公共資金撬動民間資本，降低開發商的融資成本，讓已獲施工許可的住宅項目，加速開工速度。

這既是麻州歷史上規模最大的住宅債券法案，也是由公共股權融資和民間資本結合，可循環應用的「可負擔住宅法」。

麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）表示，此法旨在加速住宅供給、降低興建成本，讓更多家庭與勞工能獲得合理價格的住房。

這次獲得融資的三項開發案分別為：米爾頓有Falconi Properties等合資建造40戶的「Quarry Hills住宅」，獲250萬美元，紐伯里波特有MINCO Development建造的「Newburyport Crossing第三期」92戶，得650萬美元）。米德爾頓有Villebridge房地產開發公司的「Middleton Corner住宅」60戶，得600萬元。

麻州房屋（MassＨousing）執行長克蘿絲托·柯尼蓋（Chrystal Kornegay）指出，Momentum Equity正加速在最需要的地區推動混合收入住宅成長。該基金的目標是以5,000萬美元麻州政府投資，支持建造1,000戶多家庭住宅，並評估透過共同投資擴大規模。

麻州住房與宜居社區廳廳長胡安娜·馬蒂亞斯（Juana Matias）表示，這是因應挑戰的創新工具，能在融資環境嚴峻下推動已許可項目前進，並建立永續的住宅生產資金來源。

根據行政當局全州住宅計畫，麻州須在2035年前新增22.2萬戶住宅。

專家建議必看船隻：憲法號，五月花二號，阿靈頓號，秘魯聯合號，加拿大藍鼻子二號

美國憲法號。

  (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 2026波士頓高桅帆船節（Sail Boston）共有25國的60多艘大船趕來，其中大多數在7月12-15日將停靠在5個波士頓碼頭，讓民眾免費登船參觀。專家建議，別錯過美國憲法號，五月花二號，阿靈頓號，秘魯聯合號，加拿大藍鼻子二號。

五月花二號。

主辦單位Sail Boston表示，這60多艘船，大約有26艘會參加7月11日早上9點起至下午4點的海上大遊行。絕大多數的國際船艦，巨型高桅帆船，將在 7月12-15日的每日上午10點到晚上10點，開放供民眾上船參觀，不過最後是否容許民眾上船，由各船船長依安全狀況決定。

7月11日晚上9點15分在海港區會有盛大的煙火秀。7月13日（週一）中午12點至下午2點，將有逾千名來自20多國的海軍，水手及學員，從Leader Bank Pavillon遊行到哥倫布公園（Christopher Columbus）。

美國阿靈頓號。

有專家建議，在這60多艘船之中，除了著名的「五姊妹」艦之外，不容錯過的焦點有波士頓的美國憲法號（USS Constitution），麻州的五月花二號（Mayflower II），美國現代科技巨獸阿靈頓號（USS Arlington），秘魯聯合號（BAP Unión），以及加拿大新斯科細亞省的官方大使船藍鼻子二號（Bluenose II）。

秘魯聯合號。

美國憲法號常年停洎在查理士城海軍造船廠（Charlestown Navy Yard），是全世界最古老的現役軍艦，從1797年下水以來，已有228年歷史，在1812年的戰爭中，還曾擊敗五艘英國軍艦，有「老鐵甲（Old Ironsides）」美譽。

五月花二號（Mayflower II）是依照 1620 年載著清教徒來到新大陸，以一比一比例完整複製的「五月花號」。造型是十七世紀古典式的蓋倫（Galleon）帆船風格，由英國在 1950 年代建造，贈送給美國。平時停泊在普利茅斯，極具歷史教育意義。

加拿大藍鼻子二號。

        阿靈頓號（USS Arlington）則是頂級現代尖端戰艦，具兩棲船塢功能的運輸艦（LPD-24），名字來自911事件中受襲擊的五角大廈所在地，阿靈頓縣。遊客可以進去參觀極其複雜的現代雷達、武器系統以及直升機甲板，與高桅帆船形成強烈的古今對比。

祕魯「聯合號 （BAP Unión）」是當今世界上最大的高桅帆船之一。體形之大，南美洲第一，也是世界第二大海軍訓練艦，僅次於俄羅斯的「塞多夫號（Sedov，117.5公尺）」。船上有豐富的秘魯文化。

加拿大「藍鼻子二號（Bluenose II）」是加拿大新斯科細亞省的官方大使船。它的原型「藍鼻子號」是加拿大航海史上的驕傲，曾連續 17 年稱霸北大西洋捕魚船競速大賽，甚至被印在加拿大的 10 分硬幣（Dime）上。

各大碼頭停洎的主要船隻分別是：

        波士頓魚碼頭（Fish Pier）有德國Gorch Fock，葡萄牙NRP Sagres，印度海軍三桅巴克訓練艦（INS Sudarshini）

        查理士城海軍造船廠碼頭（Charlestown Navy Yard）有18艘船，主要的有美國憲法號，鷹號（USCGC Eagle），羅馬尼亞米爾恰號（Mircea），波蘭著名的「青年之禮（Dar Młodzieży）。

        黑鷹郵輪碼頭（Black Falcon Cruise Terminal）有美國阿靈頓號，麻州海事學院全新打造的現代大型訓練艦TS Patriot State。

        扇碼頭（Fan Pier）有4艘船，包括五月花二號和來自德州的古董Elissa號。

        羅斯碼頭（Rowes Wharf）有荷蘭的三桅縱帆船Oosterschelde，以及德拉瓦州的官方代表船  Kalmar Nyckel。

        聯邦碼頭（Commonwealth Pier）有體型最為龐大、吃水最深的「巨無霸」跨洋帆船，包括秘魯聯合號（BAP Unión），智利海軍著名的「翡翠號」四桅縱帆訓練艦Esmeralda。

「五姊妹」艦歷史故事豐 50年後重聚賽再爭Tiffany銀盃

Tiffany 製造的純銀「五姐妹賽獎盃」，50年後重現江湖。（周菊子攝）

    (Boston Orange綜合報導)今年來波士頓參加帆船大遊行的船隻中，有4艘系出同門、極具傳奇色彩，被稱為「五姊妹」，如今分屬不同國家的三桅帆船，將做25年來的首次重聚，並在7月9、10兩日從紐約開來波士頓的路上比賽，爭取「五姊妹盃」。

德國（GERMANY），Gorch Fock，Type: Barque，Length: 292′，Year Built: 1958，
Dock: Boston Fish Pier。 (Sail Boston 網站）

這5艘三桅巴克（Three-masted Barque）高桅帆船，背後有著很豐富，曲折的歷史故事。原本都是1930年代，由當年的德國納粹政府出資，由大名鼎鼎的漢堡布洛姆－福斯（Blohm & Voss）造船廠所建造的訓練艦，如今卻分屬德國，美國、葡萄牙、羅馬尼亞。

美國 （UNITED STATES OF AMERICA），USCGC Eagle，Type: Barque，Length: 295′，
Year Built: 1936，Dock: Charlestown Navy Yard – Pier 1。 (Sail Boston 網站）

最初是1933年，德國政府建造了一艘艘三桅巴克（Three-masted Barque）高桅帆船，內部裝有超過300噸的壓艙物，穩定性極高，即使船身傾斜到將近90度，也能回正，大受好評，於是照藍圖陸續建造好幾艘同款船隻。

    船隻取名Gorch Fock，是為紀念本名叫約翰·金瑙（Johann Kinau），20世紀初寫了許多關於大海、漁民和水手生活的小說與詩歌的德國著名海洋作家。1916年，Johann Kinau在「日德蘭海戰」中隨軍艦沉沒殉職。德國海軍為紀念他，決定用他的筆名"Gorch Fock" 來命名他們最驕傲的旗艦訓練船。

葡萄牙（PORTUGAL），Sagres，Type: Barque，Length: 293′ 8″，Year Built: 1937，
Dock: Boston Fish Pier。 (Sail Boston 網站）

早年軍艦界有個命名傳統，當造船廠設計出一款很棒的船，並決定連造好幾艘時，就會用第一艘船來為整個系列命名。漢堡布洛姆－福斯（Blohm & Voss）造船廠陸續建造與Gorch Fock同款的一系列船艦，這才有了「高克·福克級（Gorch Fock-class）」的統稱。

如今被稱為Gorch Fock的「五姊妹」船艦，有3艘是希特勒的納粹政府為重建海軍，極需高質量海軍學員培訓艦，在1930年代撥鉅款陸續建造的。

羅馬尼亞（ROMANIA），Mircea，Type: Barque，Length: 266′  4″，Year Built: 1938，
Dock: Charlestown Navy Yard – Pier 4  (Sail Boston 網站）

1933年建造的第一艘，在德國於第二次世界大戰中戰敗後，被蘇聯接收，改名為Tovarishch（意為「同志」），後來又移交給烏克蘭。2003年再被德國買回去，恢復原名，現在停泊在施特拉爾松德（Stralsund），作為博物館船。

1936年建造的第二艘，Horst Wessel ，在第二次世界大戰後，被美國當作戰利品分走，交給了美國海岸警衛隊，並改名為「鷹號（ USCGC Eagle (WIX-327)），至今仍是美國海岸警衛隊的現役訓練艦。

    1937年建第三艘，Albert Leo Schlageter ，戰後賠給了美國，1948年被美國轉讓給巴西，1961年由葡萄牙海軍斥資買下，重新命名為NRP Sagres（薩格雷斯號）。

    1938年建的第四艘，Mircea （米爾恰號）最特別，是由羅馬尼亞皇家海軍自行編列預算，向德國布洛姆-福斯船廠訂購的。是「五姊妹」中唯一一艘從一開始就屬於外國的Gorch Fock級船艦，至今仍作為羅馬尼亞海軍的訓練艦 Mircea 服役。

    1939年時建造的第五艘，Herbert Norkus，原本也是德國出資要給自己海軍用的，但1939年二戰爆發，造船廠的船位必須緊急拿去「全速製造 U型潛艇」，導致這艘五妹只造了個半成品。二戰結束後，它因為不具備航行與修復價值，被裝滿化學武器直接沉入大海。

    1958年，西德海軍斥資，命令同一造船廠，依照當年設計藍圖，重新複製了一艘Gorch Fock級船艦，於是取代了被沈入海底的那艘半成品，成為Gorch Fock級「五姊妹」船艦一員。

「5姊妹」中還能航行的4艘船在1976年時，為慶祝美國建國200週年，舉行了一場「國際巡迴艦挑戰賽（The International Perpetual Challenge Cup）」，航海界親切地稱它為「五姊妹盃」（The Five Sisters Cup）。

這原本是紐約為慶祝美國建國200週年，舉辦規模空前的「Operation Sail 1976」國際高桅帆船大集結，全世界幾十個國家的海軍、海事學院都派出最引以為傲的旗艦前往參加。

各國海軍軍官聊天時發現，當前最強大、最著名的幾艘海軍學員訓練艦，竟然全都是二戰前由德國漢堡同一家造船廠、用同一張藍圖造出來的。主辦單位和各國海軍於是一拍即合，決定在紐約大遊行之後，來一場不靠讓航機制（Handicap）、純拼水手技術與戰術的競比。

由於那時仍在冷戰時間，蘇聯與世界各國的關係並不好，當時擁有第一艘Gorch Fock的蘇聯，當然不會派船參賽，因此這場比賽只有美國的 Eagle（地主）、西德的 Gorch Fock、葡萄牙的 Sagres、以及羅馬尼亞的 Mircea參賽。

    這4艘同型船艦，由船長和水手在海上，爬上幾十公尺高的桅杆，手動調整20多面風帆，比賽看誰的總航行耗時最短。

    為了這場備受矚目的決戰，主辦方特別委託美國頂級珠寶品牌 Tiffany & Co.（蒂芙尼），打造了一座精美絕倫的純銀挑戰獎盃。西德海軍的Gorch Fock（大猩猩號）奪得冠軍！

    這一比賽，原本打算安排成為常態性的定期比賽，但礙於冷戰後世界局勢，以及各國海軍預算縮減，國際航線安排困難等因素，這些姐妹艦竟再也沒機會競比。Tiffany純銀獎盃也因此由德國保管了50年。

    Sail Boston的技術主任David Choate在7月6日的記者會中，特地拿出這個純銀Tiffany獎杯展示，等著看它今年花落誰家。

波士頓帆船大遊行7月11日憲法號率先出海 「五姐妹艦」將爭獎杯

 

Sail Boston的通訊主任T. K. Skenderian主持問答環節。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 「 2026波士頓高桅帆船節 （Sail Boston 2026）」將於7月10至16日登場。60多艘來自全球25個國家的頂級高桅帆船與軍艦陸續進港，包括50年來首次重聚的「五姐妹盃（Five Sisters Trophy）」等約26艘船隻將於7月11日參加海上大遊行。

波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu)感謝各方合作，把波士頓帶到世界眼前。
（周菊子攝）

麻州交通廳代理廳長暨MBTA總經理伍偉華說，為節慶發行了「憲法號」查理卡。
（周菊子攝）

波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu），Sail Boston主任Dusty Rhodes，麻州交通廳代理廳長暨麻州地鐵（MBTA）總經理伍偉華（Philip Eng），麻州港務局執行長Rich Davey，麻州旅遊辦公室主任Kate Fox，美國憲法號指揮官Crystal L. Schaefer，麻州警察總監(State Police Colonel) Geoffrey D. Boble，美國海岸防衛隊波士頓區指揮官Jamie C. Frederick， Sail Boston 技術主任David Choate等人，今（6）日聯袂在羅伊斯碼頭（Rowes Wharf）的波士頓海港酒店（Boston Harbor Hotel）旁，匯報相關活動細節，以及交通相關安排。

吳弭市長在致詞時感謝州市及聯邦政府，Sail Boston等相關員工參與籌備，舉辦這大規模盛事，讓人有機會向全世界展示波士頓是的美麗、創新與多元文化。他還呼籲市民上市府網站boston.gov/summer，查看所有活動和交通細節。

Sail Boston主任Dusty Rhodes（前左起），吳弭市長，麻州港務局執行長Rich Davey，
麻州交通廳代理廳長伍偉華，麻州旅遊辦公室主任Kate Fox，麻州警察總監Jeffrey D. Noble
等嘉賓。（周菊子攝）

Sail Boston 技術主任David Choate指出，「 2026波士頓高桅帆船節」的亮點之一是自從1976年就從未同時出現過，來自德國、羅馬尼亞，葡萄牙和美國的的「五姊妹艦」中的其中四艘，將一起亮相波士頓。

         根據歷史資料，這「五姊妹艦」是德國在第二次世界大戰前1930年代設計並建造，世界上最大、且設計完全相同的三桅船。

美國憲法號指揮官Crystal L. Schaefer（中）等人。（周菊子攝）

         其中四艘還在航行的「五姐妹艦」，7月4日在紐約哈德遜河參加了慶祝美國250週年的超級海上大巡遊（Operation Sail NYC）之後，將於7月8日出發，9日開始在海上競賽，爭奪「五姊妹盃」，預訂7月10日抵達麻州外海的Providence結束比賽，並於晚上6點多駛入波士頓外港，準備7月11日跟在美國憲法號之後，參加波士頓的海上大遊行。

Sail Boston 技術主任David Choate展示「五姊妹盃」。（周菊子攝）

    預訂於7月11日舉行的帆船大遊行，船隻將於早上9點在鹿島（Deer Island）以東的麻州灣外港出發，大約10點15分經過堡壘島（Castle Island），美國海軍戰機這時也將飛進遊行船艦上空，整個遊行將沿著海港區水道一路向北，開到查理士城海軍碼頭（Charlestown Navy Yard）後，180度轉向，開回各自分配到的碼頭，於下午3點半到4點左右，在美國憲法號完成轉向靠岸後圓滿收場。

Sail Boston在Rowes碼頭前為帆船大遊行召開記者會。（周菊子攝）

    波士頓帆船節（Sail Boston）主任Dusty Rhodes強調，這是個有多達67個不同公安機構攜手合作，以確保數百萬民眾能安全，且完全免費參與的活動。今天抵達的第一艘船是來自西班牙的Juan Sebastián de Elcano，7月10日（週五）晚上將舉行開幕式，7月11日早上9點至下午2點，將由美國憲法號率領船隊出發遊行。

Sail Boston在Rowes碼頭前為帆船大遊行召開記者會。（周菊子攝）

    麻州交通廳代理廳長暨麻州地鐵（MBTA）總經理伍偉華（Philip Eng）呼籲民眾在節慶活動期間不要開車，多搭地鐵，前往堡壘島等核心觀賞地點的公車，在7月11日這天，從早上7點至晚上7點，每5到10分鐘就有一班車。這天MBTA麾下的所有渡輪服務將暫停至下午4點45分，搭乘仍正常收費。

    伍偉華透露，MBTA為加強慶祝氣氛，推出印有「憲法號」圖案的紀念版查理卡（Charlie Card）。他還鼓勵遊客購買22.5美元的7天通勤鐵路Zone 1Ａ套票，可以不限次數的搭乘地鐵，公車和內港渡輪。

    麻州警察總監Jeffrey Noble表示，堡壘島的Day Boulevard全線禁止車輛行駛或停洎，設有2個安檢口。海港區的海港大道沿線管制，禁止車輛通行，在碼頭區設有9個安檢口。東波士頓的Piers Park和navy Field Pier也設有安檢點。

    麻州旅遊辦公室主任kate Fox表示，從Providencetown到Nantucket，整個麻州沿海社區都能看到帆船經過。代表麻州各地參加遊行的船隻有波士頓的Adventure，普羅文斯敦的Bloodhound，南特克特島的Links，新貝德福德的麻州官方代表船Ernestina-Morrissey，以及普利茅斯的五月花二號（Mayflower II）。

    美國憲法號指揮官Crystal Shafer表示，憲法號作為全美最古老的現役軍艦，引導這次的大遊行，十分榮幸。7月11日早上8點，憲法號將出港迎接「鷹號 （USCGC Eagle）」。美國海軍參加大遊行的船隻除了憲法號，還將有阿靈頓號，海軍潛水隊，海蜂工兵隊（Seabees），以及巡邏艇（Mizoraki）停在查理士城海軍碼頭，開放讓民眾參觀。

波士頓美國獨立日250週年遊行 華裔退伍軍人不缺席（圖片）

美國退伍軍人會波士頓華埠328分會會長Genie Boland (右）率隊遊行。（周菊子攝）

波士頓市議員Ed Flynn陪同美國退伍軍人會波士頓華埠328分會遊行。（黃周麗桃提供）