Economic Development Bill Signed by Governor Patrick Doubled Size of Annual Tax Credit Pool, Allows Larger Projects to Qualify
BOSTON – Friday, August 15, 2015– Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki today announced the start of the application process for state tax credits for developers with qualifying proposals for larger market rate housing projects in Gateway cities. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will grant waivers to otherwise qualifying projects that exceed the current regulatory limit of 50 market rate units per project under the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP).
“An Act To Promote Economic Growth in the Commonwealth,” signed by Governor Patrick on Wednesdayprovided for a major expansion of the HDIP Program. The new law doubles the size of the annual tax credit pool from $5 million to $10 million over the next four years, and allows larger developments to qualify by eliminating the 50-market-rate unit per project cap. While DHCD is going through the formal process of amending its regulations to conform to the new law, it will grant waivers to otherwise qualifying projects that exceed 50 market rate units.
“Housing is one of the cornerstones of a growing economy,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki. “Expanding this program is part of our overall strategy to accelerate housing development and transform these communities into great places to live, work, and play.”
“Governor Patrick and this Administration have made a historic commitment to expanding housing across the Commonwealth,” said Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein. “We are pleased to work with the Legislature to expand this program which will allowing us to continue partnering with local developers and gateway communities creating new housing resources for all incomes.”
The economic development package builds upon on the Patrick Administration’s successful economic development strategy of investing in education, innovation and infrastructure. The law provides new tools and training to ensure the Massachusetts workforce meets the needs of employers, invests in our Gateway Cities to promote development across the entire state and provides incentives to create jobs and stimulate the economy
HDIP is designed to help gateway cities – smaller Massachusetts cities with an industrial heritage that meet certain requirements – redevelop existing buildings into new, market-rate residential developments. HDIP provides developers with a tax credit that is worth up to 10 percent of the qualified development expenses for a project that meets the program requirements. Participating cities match this support with property tax relief to enhance the project’s viability.
Gateway Cities interested in participating in the program must submit a zone plan to DHCD for approval, execute a real estate tax exemption agreement with any developer undertaking a project and promote residential and economic development in the target area. After a zone plan has been submitted and approved, a developer must work with the city to submit a proposed project for certification, demonstrating that the project meets HDIP program requirements and that a real estate tax exemption agreement has been reached. There are 26 gateway cities in the Commonwealth.
In November 2012, Governor Patrick announced the Commonwealth’s goal of creating 10,000 multi-family housing units per year. By creating this type of housing, which is attractive to young families and individuals, Massachusetts is better prepared to retain the skilled, young workforce which employers are seeking.
Last fall, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki accepted a national “Workforce Housing” award from the Urban Land Institute, recognizing the Patrick Administration’s leadership in pursuing a strategy to increase the supply of housing needed, and in the places needed, for its workforce.
中華頤養院與華人醫務中心十三日晚邀得百餘人，在昆士市朱家樓歡聚餐敘，為昆士市長柯奇（Tom Koch）（中）籌款，感謝他在過去這幾年間，不但鼎力協助兩機構擴建，喬遷，還幾乎有會必到的很給面子。
波士頓京劇社（BBOA）上週末（十日）在社長劉瑋珊家舉辦年度燒烤聚餐，六，七十名京劇愛好者聽說中國戲曲學院教授呂鎖森是座上客，蜂擁而來，談身段，講舞步，唱大戲，直至深宵。
波士頓京劇社從創辦以來，社長劉瑋珊每年都在公演之前，辦一次燒烤大會，以豐富，新鮮的各色美食來慰勞所有演員，工作人員，也加強排練。該社雖然決定今年休息一年，不做公演，但既有名師來訪，當然要利用機會進修，順道大快朵頤，享受知音相聚樂趣。
呂鎖森雖然年紀還輕，但出身世家，十歲就進梨園，有導演系碩士學位，理論，實務經驗俱全，能編，會導，也演。由於他不但在央視的三國演義中演過“司馬望”，還在2003年為中國戲曲學院改編，導演過完整版京劇“霸王別姬”，隨同朱鎔基到歐洲三國訪問，為大學開過“戲曲文化鑑賞”等課程，是貨真價實行家，許多京劇愛好者聞風而來，把劉瑋珊家排練室擠到不行。
包括該社台柱汪榮華，朱惠元，可慶恩，曹麗莉，周儉，以及趙鍾英，楊波，趙進，王燕城，張勇等，當天有不下六，七十人歡聚一堂，邊享用劉瑋珊，陳富雄兩夫婦親手做的佳餚美食，邊討論京劇的戲碼，身段，舞步。夏耘向程世君討教月琴彈奏技巧後，開心得直說這趟來參加聚會，收獲太大了。
他不但強調京劇人物的舉手投足，衣著服飾，都有講究。身份地位或角色不同，台步，舞姿或手勢也就有異，一隨便，戲就亂套了，還親自上場示範了一段“三家店”，表演京劇中的傳統“走邊”，評點稱讚可慶恩胡琴拉得好。
今年的麻州選舉，州長等重量級職位開戰很早，第二線的財政廳廳長，總檢察官等候選人，最近開始競選加溫，陸續有波城僑領陳毓禮為競選總檢察官的杜文（Warren
Tolman），紐英崙中華公所主席阮鴻燦為競選財政廳廳長的高柏珂（Deb Goldberg）率眾舉牌助選。