星期二, 7月 01, 2025

華埠主街,華商會等輪番上場 波士頓華埠牌樓公園夏日活動多

何遠光(右起)、雷國輝、余麗媖依序代表華埠主街,
中華公所,華商會,攜手為促進華埠商機努力。(黃周麗桃提供)
                   Boston Orange)跨入夏季,波士頓「華埠主街 Chinatown Main Street)」再度推出「重振華埠,醒獅賀福」系列,已從621日起的前後13個週六中午,陸續在華埠牌樓前舉辦共2場節慶活動,以及11場獅隊表演。

                  621日由胡衛正率領的胡清白鶴派,派出一大一小兩頭瑞獅在華埠牌樓前吸引人潮之後,628日中午,由華林派的Bob Rosen和余翠梅 (Mai Du)率徒子徒孫,在鑼鼓敲擊聲中,舞動3頭瑞獅。

華埠主街的活動,中華公所也是贊助單位之一。(黃周麗桃提供)
                  紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝,波士頓華商會財政余麗媖和華埠主街董事何遠光,也在628日這天,各自作為主辦單位代表,一起高舉「日進斗金」、「飛黃騰達」、「Wishing You Good Health & Fotune」的中英文長軸,祝禱華埠商區今年更興旺。

                  華埠主街為今年排定的醒獅賀福表演,共請來5隊醒獅團,在胡清白鶴派,華林派之外,還有華美舞獅隊(亞美文化中心),Chiu Mo Koon,以及廣教學校。

                  75日這週末,將是華埠主街夏日節,有更豐富的活動安排。913日則已排定為華埠主街舉辦的中秋燈籠節。

華埠主街訂7月5日舉辦夏日節。(何遠光提供)
                  由於華埠牌樓旁的華埠公園是蘿絲甘迺迪綠路的一部分,綠路保護會這些年來,一直和波士頓華埠主街,波士頓華商會合作,在華埠公園舉辦活動,豐富地方民眾生活。綠路保護會在華埠公園內豎立了一塊招牌,列出華埠公園在夏日期間安排的各項活動。

                  6月至9月底之間每週四下午46點,綠路保護會在又稱為「陳毓禮、黃杏蓉公園」的華埠公園內推出「綠路遊樂」系列。

每週六中午,由華埠主街安排舞獅表演。

亞美社區發展協會青年小組的A-VOYCE,排定每月最後一個週六的下午1點至3點,也就是726日,927日,1025日,舉辦「歡樂星期六」活動。

                  波士頓華商會已從615日起,29日,714日,27日,824日每週日的早上9點半至中午12點,安排青年舞蹈和太極班。下午2點至4點,安排音樂表演。

                  華埠主街夏日聯歡會由華埠主街在75日的上午9點到下午6點舉辦,

                  在週末期間假華埠牌樓舉辦的活動,還包括712日起每週六的早上9點半至下午1

綠路保護會印製的華埠牌樓夏日活動表。
(周菊子攝)
點的農夫市場,810日的中華公所中秋節聯歡會,822日至24日的亞美社區發展協會「華埠牌樓電影節」。913日有華埠主街的中秋燈籠節,919日下午25點,中華耆英會的「雙重慶祝重陽節」,以及927日上午11點至下午3點,包氏文藝中心的體驗華埠藝術節等。

胡清白鶴派6月21日表演舞獅。(何遠光提供)






麻州政府公佈166億元5年基礎建設與維修預算

 (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州政府630日公佈2026-2030會計年度的基礎建設及維修計畫 (CPI),將在這5年內斥資166億美元,提升麻州內的房屋可負擔性,推動經濟發展,改善交通及公共基礎設施。

在2026會計年度中的基礎設施及維修預算超過32億美元,比2025會計年度的預算多1億1000萬元,新的重點放在生產並降低樓宇開銷,實施本屆政府的標竿經濟發展法案,「麻州領先法 (Mass Lead Act)」。

根據這預算計畫,關於住房可負擔性,未來5年,麻州政府計畫在房屋項目上投資23.4億美元,在基礎建設及維修計畫投資總額中,佔比從之前的9%,增加到14%。

麻州政府這部分的新預算,計劃通過支持超過 70 個社區撥款項目(每年總計 7.5 億美元),加強與市鎮的合作,確保所有社區的健康和活力。

 

其他的基礎建設及維修計畫預算包括:

  • 2026 財年的資金預計將支持建造超過 6,000 套新住房單元,以降低住房成本。
  • 其中包括 6.22 億美元 用於 HousingWorks 計劃,支持經濟適用房的開發、維護和翻新。
  • 3.34 億美元 用於可負擔住房信託基金 (AHTF)
  • 6.57 億美元 用於公共住房的重大維修。
  • 5,000 萬美元 用於 Momentum Fund,支持大型混合收入多戶住宅開發。
  • 交通基礎設施:
    •  2026-2030 財年期間,將向市鎮提供 10 億美元  Chapter 90 資金,用於改善地方道路和橋樑。
    • 承諾更換科德角橋樑,2026 財年撥款 1.046 億美元 (2026-2030 財年總計 5.276 億美元),用於 Sagamore Bridge 的設計、許可等前期工作,並推進 Bourne Bridge 的設計。
    • 6,120 萬美元 用於州屬鐵路系統的可靠性和現代化。
    • 11.4 億美元 投資於 MBTA,包括紅線、橙線和通勤鐵路車輛的採購以及車站無障礙改造。
    • 3,150 萬美元 (2026-2030 財年用於東西鐵路 (West-East Rail) 項目。
  • 經濟發展與創新:
    • 未來五年將向經濟發展執行辦公室 (EOED) 提供 15 億美元 資金。
    • 其中 2.51 億美元 將用於實施《麻州領先法案》,支持創新產業。
    • 包括 5,750 萬美元 給麻州清潔能源中心 (MassCEC),推動氣候技術領域的就業和勞動力發展。
    • 6,900 萬美元 用於新的麻州 AI 中心,以加強該州的 AI 生態系統。
    • 7,500 萬美元 用於勞動力技能資本補助,以擴展職業技術教育和培訓項目。
  • 可持續基礎設施與應對氣候變化:
    • 利用聯邦夥伴關係,通過清潔水信託基金 (Clean Water Trust) 投資 6.715 億美元 於清潔水和飲用水基礎設施。
    • 1.295 億美元 用於市鎮脆弱性準備 (MVP) 計劃,幫助城鎮應對洪水、極端高溫和海岸侵蝕。
    • 1.2 億美元 用於跨機構的 Resilient Mass 行動,以適應未來的氣候條件。
    • 2.25 億美元 用於土地保護、自然和野生動物保護以及植樹造林。
  • 資產維護與現代化:
    • 將投入超過 10 億美元 解決長期積壓的維護問題,以延長資產壽命、降低未來成本並提高建築效率。
    • 繼續推進關鍵項目,包括切爾西和霍利奧克的退伍軍人之家、斯普林菲爾德等地的法院項目,以及 MCI-Framingham 監獄的翻新。

Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll Release $16.6 Billion Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2030  

Five-Year Plan Funds Housing Production, Supports Municipal Infrastructure, Increases Economic Competitiveness    

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today released its Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, investing $16.6 billion in state resources over five years to increase housing affordability, fund economic development programs, and improve transportation and public infrastructure across the state.   

The CIP includes over $3.2 billion in spending during Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), a $110 million increase over FY25, with new growth focused on production and lowering the cost of housing and implementing the Administration's landmark economic development legislation, the Mass Leads Act, to drive innovation, create jobs, and support rural and regional development initiatives.   

“Our capital plan focuses on smart, fiscally responsible investments to make Massachusetts more affordable, more competitive, and create more jobs,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These investments will help us build more housing to lower costs, fix our roads and bridges, and grow our lead in cutting edge industries like applied AI. Since taking office, our capital investment strategy has been to put every dollar toward making our state more affordable, equitable and competitive for everyone who lives and works here, and the targeted investments in this year’s plan build on our success and will have a real impact for our people.”   

“Over the last two fiscal years, our administration’s capital funding has enabled transformative projects and programs that equip municipalities to thrive in every region of Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “With support for over 70 community grant programs, totaling $750 million each year, and critical funds to improve municipal infrastructure, the FY26-FY30 CIP reinforces our ongoing commitment to partnering with cities and towns to ensure healthy and vibrant communities for residents.”     

Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has increased capital funding for housing by 71 percent and created new programs including HousingWorks, the largest and most flexible capital source for public infrastructure projects that support and accelerate housing production, spur private development, and create jobs. The CIP further advances the Administration’s housing efforts with a $2.34 billion investment over five years, growing the overall portion of the CIP dedicated to housing from nine percent when the Healey-Driscoll administration took office to 14 percent today. The Administration’s FY26 CIP funding will drive down the cost of housing in Massachusetts by supporting the creation of over 6,000 new units.   

In this capital plan the Administration continues making long-overdue investments in Massachusetts's transportation infrastructure, ensuring that residents in every region of the state have access to safe and efficient transit. The CIP provides funding to repair and replace critical infrastructure, improve public transit safety and reliability, and equip municipalities to meet local transportation needs. Over FY26-FY30, the state will provide $1 billion in Chapter 90 funds to municipalities to improve local roads and bridges. The CIP furthers the Administration's commitment to replacing the Cape Cod bridges, with $104.6 million in FY26 ($527.6 million in FY26-FY30). Specifically, in FY26 and FY27, MassDOT plans to conduct the design, permitting, right-of-way, and utility relocation processes for the Sagamore Bridge and to advance the design process for the Bourne Bridge. The capital plan also includes $61.2 million in reliability and modernization-oriented spending for the state-owned rail system, $59.0 million for pavement improvements on the National Highway System, and $52.8 million for regional transit authorities (RTAs) and local transportation providers. To improve connectivity, the Administration is also investing $31.5 million over FY26-FY30 in West-East Rail, and approximately $1.14 billion in the MBTA, which includes funding to improve station accessibility and support procurement of new Red Line, Orange Line, and commuter rail vehicles.    

The capital plan fosters opportunity and helps to sustain Massachusetts’s high-growth economy with $1.5 billion in funding for the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) over five years. The FY26–FY30 CIP provides $251 million to support implementation of the Mass Leads Act and expand initiatives that reinforce Massachusetts’s leadership in innovation. Included in these funds is $57.5 million for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)—promoting job creation and workforce development through deployment of climate technologies—and $28 million for the Mass Impact program, which invests in large-scale infrastructure improvements and initiatives that revitalize underserved communities. The FY26-FY30 CIP also unlocks new development in communities across the state through $657 million to support development and infrastructure improvements in municipalities.  

The Administration is continuing to prepare Massachusetts for increasing extreme weather  challenges. The FY26–FY30 CIP leverages federal partnerships via the Clean Water Trust to invest $671.5 million in clean water and clean drinking water. It also includes $129.5 million to Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program to prepare and towns for floods, extreme heat, and coastal erosion with grants for community-led infrastructure projects.   

The CIP also provides resources to maintain, modernize, and decarbonize Massachusetts’s capital assets, which include over 1,700 buildings, over 4,000 bridges and tunnels, and 450,000 acres of public space. It includes more than a $1.0 billion to address deferred maintenance that will extend asset life, minimize future costs, and maximize building efficiency so that government can better meet the needs of Massachusetts’ residents.   

The plan also continues to advance key projects, including new Veterans Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke, major court projects in Springfield, Framingham, Quincy and Lynn, and the rehabilitation of MCI-Framingham, the nation’s oldest operating women’s correctional facility.  

“This capital plan is responsible and sustainable while still making major investments in the state’s people, our economy, and our future,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. “There is a great need for capital resources across Massachusetts, and our FY26-FY30 CIP carefully balances the state’s financial constraints with strategic spending on projects and programs that make a real difference for communities.”   

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s five-year Capital Investment Plan is a roadmap to a stronger and more resilient Commonwealth,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “With $16.6 billion in strategic investments, we are laying the foundation for generational change—advancing affordable housing, modernizing our infrastructure, creating meaningful jobs, and fueling inclusive economic growth. Every corner of Massachusetts—rural, urban, and everywhere in between—will feel the impact of this transformative plan. No one is left behind, and every dollar moves us toward a more equitable future.”  

To view the full FY26-FY30 CIP, click the link here.  

Notable investments in the FY26–FY30 CIP include:    

FY26 – FY30 Housing Production and Preservation   

  • $622 million to support the suite of HousingWorks programs that offer flexible tools to support affordable housing development, preservation, and rehabilitation  

  • $334 million to support the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to accelerate development of affordable units for households whose incomes are not more than 110% AMI, with most projects supporting households at or below 60% AMI  

  • $657 million to fund Public Housing investments that address critical repairs across the public housing portfolio through a combination of formula funding to local housing authorities (LHAs), targeted awards that address specific components, and ad hoc emergency repairs to mitigate health and safety issues $115 million to support the Public Housing Sustainability and Resiliency program, which funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by the public housing portfolio, increase the portfolio’s resilience to the effects of climate change, and improve the indoor air quality within the buildings  

  • $15 million in Public Housing Accessibility to create or retrofit 12 public housing units into accessible units per year. Prioritizing accessible housing is extremely important since two-thirds of the portfolio houses lower-income older adults  

  • $50 million for the Momentum Fund, a pioneering initiative designed to leverage state resources to support large scale, mixed-income multifamily development in a time where rising construction costs and high interest rates challenge the financial viability of these critical projects   

  • $90 million to support several capital programs formerly supported by federal relief funds, including the Middle Income Housing Fund which supports the development of rental and for-sale housing through new construction, rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse, the CommonWealth Builder Fund that aims to address the racial homeownership gap in Massachusetts, and the ONE+ Mortgage and MassDREAMS programs geared towards improving home ownership opportunities throughout the Commonwealth   

FY26- FY30 Advancing the Commonwealth’s Economic Development Agenda  

  • $69 million for the new Massachusetts AI Hub to strengthen the state’s AI ecosystem  

  • $57 million to support the Climatetech Program designed to promote job creation, economic development, and workforce development through deployment of climate technologies in the Massachusetts  

  •  $34 million for the Massachusetts TechHub Program to support the advancement of emerging technology sectors in regions across the Commonwealth  

  • $33 million for the Business Builds Program to support businesses in making sustainable investments  

  • $32 million for EOED’s Robotics grant program which is designed to increase access to robotics tools for communities across Massachusetts  

  • $75 million for Workforce Skills Capital grants to expand career technical education programs, upgrade school and instructional lab spaces, and increase capacity in workforce training programs  

  • $57 million for the Early Education and Out of School Time grants to improve child care facilities and add seats and classrooms  

FY26-FY30 Investing in Sustainable Infrastructure, Protecting Land and Ensuring Clean Water    

  • $672 million for the Clean Water Trust, via a combination of state funding and federal partnerships, to update and enhance water infrastructure  

  • $182 million to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to ensure parks, paths, and recreational locations are accessible to all residents  

  • $225 million for land preservation, protection of nature and wildlife, and tree planting.  

  • $158 million to replace, upgrade, and electrify Commonwealth vehicles.  

  • $129.5 million in Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) funding to help municipalities strengthen, restore, and protect local infrastructure  

  • $120 million for inter-agency Resilient Mass actions to adapt to future climate conditions and reduce the risks associate with flooding, heat, and sea level rise  

  • $113 million for decarbonization efforts at State Universities and Community Colleges  

  • $62 million in grants to municipalities for inland dam and seawall projects to improve safety and prevent waterway or precipitation-based flooding  

FY26–FY30 Improving Services and Efficiency   

  • $711 million for IT initiatives that will improve healthcare systems, including $347 million for the Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) Integrated Eligibility System  

  • $101 million to strengthen cybersecurity and IT infrastructure to help maintain a secure IT environment for daily operations across the Commonwealth   

  • $82 million to continue supporting the Commonwealth’s Digital Roadmap initiative to scale and expand digital tools and services across agencies, with a focus on delivering accessible, user-friendly, and secure digital experiences for residents  

  • $76 million to support Electronic Health Records (EHR) Modernization to consolidate EHRs for inpatient services delivered by the Department of Public Health and the Department of Mental Health  

  • $30 million for IT investments in education, including $7 million to continue development of a new family portal and case management system for the state’s child care financial assistance programs  

FY26–FY30 Protecting and Preserving Our Assets   

  • $1 billion for Chapter 90 municipal capital grants, along with an additional $25 million for the Rural Roadway Funding program  

  • $488 million for the Sagamore Bridge Replacement Project over five years  

  • $466 million to support the modernization of the state’s courts  

  • $497 million for the renovation of the Department of Public Health’s Lemuel Shattuck Hospital  

  • $275 million for DCR facility improvements and equipment, including repairs and maintenance for rinks, pools, parks, campgrounds and boat ramps  

  • $91 million for new Veterans Homes in Chelsea and Holyoke   

  • $61 million in reliability and modernization-oriented spending for the state-owned rail system  

  • $53 million for regional transit authority (RTA) and local transportation provider vehicle and facility investments