候任麻州長宣佈3名新政府成員

 Healey and Driscoll Announce Administration and Finance Secretary, Top Staff

BOSTON – Governor-elect Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll today announced their first round of hires for their incoming administration. Matthew Gorzkowicz will be appointed as Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Kate Cook will be Chief of Staff and Gabrielle Viator will serve as Senior Advisor.

Matt Gorzkowicz

Matthew Gorzkowicz has more than 25 years' experience in state finance and budgeting in the Commonwealth. He has served as the Associate Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of Massachusetts President's Office for more than a decade, where he has had a direct role in setting the University’s long-range administrative and financial goals and managed the development of an annual operating budget of $3.8 billion. Prior to UMass, Matt worked in the Massachusetts Senate, the Department of Mental Health, the School Building Authority, and the Executive Office for Administration and Finance under Governor Deval Patrick, where he served as Assistant Secretary for Budget and then Undersecretary. He is a graduate of Northeastern University and lives in Winthrop, MA with his wife and two children.

 

“In this time of record state revenues and economic stress for so many of our residents, it’s essential to have an Administration and Finance Secretary with a proven record of maintaining economic stability and implementing processes that ensure efficiency and effectiveness,” said Healey. “Matt Gorzkowicz has done just that in his decades of service to Massachusetts, and I’m proud to have his leadership in our administration.”

“I’m honored to be appointed as Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance by Governor-elect Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll,” said Gorzkowicz. “This is going to be a dynamic and effective administration, and I’m proud to contribute my experience in state finance and budgeting to serve the Commonwealth. I’m looking forward to getting to work on a number of important priorities that center on equity and affordability and drive progress across the administration.”

Kate Cook

Kate Cook

currently serves as the First Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, where she assists AG Healey with oversight, operations and decision-making in all legal and policy matters across the office. For over two decades, Cook has served as a trusted legal advisor and litigator for public officials and state and local government agencies. Prior to her appointment as First Assistant, Kate was a partner at Sugarman Rogers, where she chaired the government law and election law practice groups and had an active pro bono practice focused on civil rights and civil liberties matters. Kate formerly served as Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Deval L. Patrick, General Counsel to the Massachusetts Senate Ways & Means Committee and Assistant Corporation Counsel to the City of Boston. She holds degrees from Harvard University and Brown University and lives in Marblehead with her husband and daughter.

“Kate has been integral to the operations of the Attorney General’s Office and a wonderful addition to our team over the past year,” said Healey. “With her strong background serving both in state and city government as well as the private sector, I’m confident that she is the best person to lead our office and build a team that’s going to deliver real results for people.”

“I’m honored that Governor-elect Healey and Lieutenant Governor-elect Driscoll have placed their faith in me to lead the Governor’s Office and for the opportunity to continue my service to the Commonwealth,” said Cook. “We’re committed to building a strong, experienced and diverse team that is ready to get to work delivering for people and moving Massachusetts forward.”

Gabe Viator

Gabe Viator

is the Chief Deputy Attorney General in the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. She oversees litigation efforts across the office and coordinates policy, government affairs and strategic initiatives. Gabrielle previously served as Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to AG Healey, and as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Gabrielle practiced commercial litigation as an associate at Ropes & Gray. She also served as a Legislative Director in the State Senate and as a legislative aide in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. She is a graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University Law School, and lives in Beverly with her husband and two daughters.

“Gabe has been a close and trusted advisor to me for many years, and I’m thrilled to have her guidance with us in the Governor’s Office,”  said Healey. “She has outstanding legal and policy experience, a strong commitment to public service and a passion for teamwork, all of which will be invaluable for our team.”

“From working with Governor-elect Healey for more than a decade, I’ve seen firsthand her commitment to the people of Massachusetts and her ability to bring together the very best team to make real progress,” said Viator. “I’m honored to continue this partnership in the Governor’s Office and excited to get to work creating a stronger Massachusetts.”

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MAYOR WU AND OFFICE OF RETURNING CITIZENS ANNOUNCE $1 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS AVAILABLE TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING BOSTON’S RETURNING CITIZENS

BOSTON - Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu, the Office of Human Services (OHS), and the Office of Returning Citizens (ORC) announce applications are now open for the 2023 Returning Citizens Support (RCS) grant. The RCS grant is a competitive grant aimed at supporting non-profit organizations that provide reentry support services to individuals who are returning to Boston after being released from federal, state, or county correctional facilities.  A total of $1,000,000 will be awarded to Boston nonprofit organizations providing a variety of services to returning citizens with the goal of creating a network of organizations that can aid returning citizens toward a successful reentry. Applications are now open and responses are due January 6, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.  “Whether it be housing or peer mentoring, the work that our partners do in providing a pathway is vital in supporting Boston’s returning citizens,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We are excited for this opportunity to support the work that these organizations do for our communities.”  "It is critical that we support grassroots and community-based organizations, especially those run by formerly incarcerated people themselves, that are doing the work to help address the needs and success of our residents returning home, who too often continue to be failed by our systems,” said Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. “My office was glad to advocate for these funds alongside community, and we are happy to see the Administration execute on this vision."  “This funding will go a long way to support our partners in the community that have a passion for helping returning citizens succeed in Boston,” said José Massó, Chief of Human Services. “The network of programs funded through this opportunity will help the Office of Returning Citizens to achieve its goal of meeting the unique needs of each returning citizen in the community.”   “We are excited to be able to partner with the ecosystem of community-based organizations in Boston that are providing high quality services to Boston’s returning citizens,” said David Mayo, Director of the Office of Returning Citizens. “When these organizations thrive, so do our returning citizens.” Eligible programs will include those that provide reentry and integration services to individuals returning to Boston from federal, state, or county correctional facilities. For the purposes of this grant opportunity, reentry and integration services may include but are not limited to peer mentoring, family reunification, community stability, food assistance, economic independence, and housing stability. Programs that serve women and LGBTQIA+ returning citizens and those that are led by returning citizens are strongly encouraged to apply.  This new funding comes from the Fiscal Year 2023 operating budget of the Office of Returning Citizens and aims to increase the number and variety of programs that contribute to preventing recidivism among Boston’s returning citizens. Each year, over 3,000 individuals return to Boston from federal, state and county prisons and jails with the burden falling disproportionately on communities of color. Returning citizens often need housing, employment and connections to physical and mental health services, among other needs. Nearly all returning citizens have a chronic medical condition that requires ongoing treatment, only one in four returning citizens has a high school diploma, and 91 percent are food insecure. Those returning have a better chance of achieving a successful reentry if they are provided with supports that help them get connected to these key services. For Fiscal Year 2023, the Office of Returning Citizens has a $2.67 million operating budget. This historic investment has enabled the ORC to hire five additional staff members and to build more robust support in the areas of housing, workforce development, and case management for returning citizens. The grant application is available online. Applications must be completed by January 6, 2023 at 4:00pm.    The Office of Returning Citizens was established in 2017. Its services include in-person case management with program and intake coordinators, peer mentorships, and warm referrals to key programs and services, including transitional housing, employment, healthcare, education, and legal services. Between the Office’s inception in 2017 and today, the number of yearly clients served by the Office has increased by more than 700 percent.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES THE SPACE GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES OPEN NEW LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT BOSTON

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES THE SPACE GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES OPEN NEW LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT BOSTON

Funded by American Rescue Plan, this opportunity will support Boston’s entrepreneurs looking to open new storefronts in vacant spaces Downtown and throughout the city

BOSTON - Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the launch of the SPACE Grant program in partnership with the Office of Economic Opportunity & Inclusion (OEOI). The program will identify creative ways to bring people back to major commercial districts, revitalize the economy as we emerge from the pandemic, and close the racial wealth gap. Through this program, up to 50 local entrepreneurs will receive substantial grant funding to help them open new storefront businesses in vacant commercial spaces across Boston, with particular emphasis on major commercial hubs like Copley, Downtown, Fenway, and Seaport to increase the diversity of storefront businesses in these neighborhoods.   The SPACE (Supporting Pandemic Affected Community Enterprises) Grant program will provide grants of up to $200,000 over a three-year period to subsidize rents, upfront capital costs, and necessary infrastructure to help local, small, diverse businesses seeking to fill vacant storefronts. The City plans to collaborate with MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, Downtown Boston BID, Main Streets, local commercial banks and CDFIs, and property owners to ensure that participating small business owners have access to additional financial resources and assistance to open and thrive in their new locations. The City expects the first cohort will include approximately 10-15 businesses.  "The SPACE grant program is critical to bolstering our local economy and will help local, small, diverse businesses open new locations across our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This grant program addresses commercial vacancies by connecting entrepreneurs with crucial support and the chance to grow. I'm thrilled to launch this program and grateful to our Economic Opportunity & Inclusion Cabinet and all of our partners for their critical work to ensure that Boston's thriving, inclusive and equitable for all." OEOI has received preliminary interest from a range of entrepreneurs through a recent survey and the Boston Main Streets. This initiative will prioritize helping Boston small businesses that were most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes, but is not limited to:  Arts, creative economy, and entertainment; Childcare; Fitness, recreation, wellness; Food service and production; Laundry services; Repair and maintenance;  Restaurants; and Retail The SPACE Grant program is funded by a $9 million investment from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to aid in Boston's local economic recovery, and will support both entrepreneurs looking to open their first brick and mortar storefront business, as well as current small businesses in the City of Boston looking to expand to new locations within the city.  Grantees will be matched with technical assistance providers that are part of OEOI’s Small Business Technical Assistance Program to set them up for success. In addition, grantees will benefit from workshops and one-on-one coaching to guide them through the operational steps of opening a new storefront location. These skills will include lease negotiation and other legal support, financial, marketing, or other areas of expertise. To assist interested entrepreneurs, OEOI will hold a virtual workshop in mid-January 2023 focused on how to write a business plan for entrepreneurs. For more information, sign up for the City’s small business e-newsletter. “The SPACE Grant program is a direct response to the immense need for innovative ways to fill storefront vacancies and bring vitality to our neighborhoods that we heard from business owners on the ground, whether through our weekly Main Streets walks, surveys, or our one-on-one engagement,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “I am grateful to our team and our partners who built this program, and am happy  to launch an effort that will bring about a more robust economy and greater diversity to our city.”  Businesses can apply to the SPACE Grant program online at: boston.gov/space-grant. Applications are available in multiple languages.  First cohort application deadline: February 17, 2023 Grantees chosen: April 2023 Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a SPACE Grant: Business must be incorporated in a Qualified Census Tract OR one of the prioritized business industries mentioned above. Business must have fewer than twenty-five (25) employees (not including the business owner). Business owners must provide proof of a Boston business address (e.g., a signed lease, business permit / license / title, utility bill in which the business is named directly, or other home office documentation).  Business and business owners must be in good-standing with the City of Boston. Business must provide a copy of its up to date Business Certificate. “The Wu Administration’s SPACE Grant Program is a gamechanger for Downtown Boston and our neighborhoods. Providing direct financial and technical assistance to those looking to activate our vacant retail spaces will reduce existing barriers that limit equitable access to these storefronts. This program will open economic opportunities downtown to a wider array of entrepreneurs, make our streets livelier and safer, and support wealth-building for small business owners from a diversity of backgrounds. The Downtown Boston BID and our members are prepared to fully support this effort and to help new businesses thrive and become long-term fixtures Downtown,” said Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston BID. “As a Main Streets director, I am very excited for the SPACE Grant Program. This is a progressive push forward that meets the basic needs of our small businesses, while filling the vacancies that can plague our neighborhoods,” said Ginger Brown, Executive Director of JP/Centre South Main Streets. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted Downtown and its businesses, and the Wu Administration remains committed to its Downtown Revitalization plan, announced in April 2022 to address decreased foot traffic and consumer spending. As Boston aims to encourage people back to its commercial centers, the City is moving forward bold initiatives to increase consumer confidence and support small businesses. While Boston aims to activate spaces in all of our neighborhoods, the City is also seeking to ensure its Downtown core is flourishing. To learn more, please visit: https://www.boston.gov/space-grant

APIAVote and NCAAT Warn of Dangers Against Voting Rights Case of Moore v. Harper

APIAVote and NCAAT Warn of Dangers Against Voting Rights Case of Moore v. Harper

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week for Moore v. Harper, a case from North Carolina regarding an extremist legal theory referred to as the “independent state legislature theory” (ISLT). This theory asserts that state legislatures have the final say in election-related matters – a dangerous view that would threaten voting rights.    The case before the Supreme Court stems from a redistricting dispute coming out of North Carolina. Following the results of the 2020 Census, congressional district maps were redrawn to reflect the population increase and communities of interest. The state Supreme Court invalidated a congressional district map after finding it had unlawfully used partisan gerrymandering, and replaced it with a non-partisan court-drawn map. North Carolina state legislators appealed the state Supreme Court's decision and brought it to the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year.     North Carolina state legislators who are in favor of advancing the ISLT argue that under the U.S. Constitution, state legislatures have the sole authority to set the rules in federal elections, and therefore state courts cannot review the legislature’s decisions.    “State legislatures should not have the unchecked power to run U.S. elections or to set election laws,” says Chavi Khanna Koneru, co-founder and executive director at North Carolina Asian Americans Together. “That is not how our democracy works. Moore would grant state legislators the absolute ability to manipulate election outcomes with rigged voting maps and other discriminatory barriers to voting. If Moore succeeds, all voters would suffer and BIPOC communities would be disproportionately affected. This case is about upholding America’s system of checks and balances to ensure every vote is counted and every voice is heard.”   “If the Supreme Court adopts the extreme version of the independent state legislature theory, it would open the door to tragic consequences for our freedom to vote,” says Christine Chen, the Executive Director of APIAVote. “The ability of state courts to be a check on legislative actions is one of the key safeguards we have against legislators ready to diminish our ability to vote. If ISLT is made the law of the land, it will cut the state courts out of the equation and leave our democracy in the hands of state legislatures. The bottom line is that the system of checks and balances that we know well in the federal context will be eviscerated in the context of state government if the ISLT is allowed to prevail.”   A decision in this case is expected by June 2023.

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MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF FRANKLIN PARK ACTION PLAN

Strategic vision informs $23 million capital investment in the city's largest park; 60-day comment period to generate additional public input

BOSTON - Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the release of the new Franklin Park Action Plan. The Action Plan is a comprehensive vision for the future of the 527-acre park, widely considered landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted's crowning achievement and the conclusion of a trilogy of great parks that includes Manhattan's Central Park and Brooklyn's Prospect Park.  With the release of the plan, the City of Boston is asking the public to share their perspectives on plan implementation by identifying community priorities among a slate of projects related to restoration of historic structures, improved circulation throughout the park for all transportation modes, dedicated spaces for cultural and recreational opportunities, and ecological considerations. The plan is now available on the Franklin Park Action Plan website along with a form to capture feedback during the 60-day comment period that ends on February 10, 2023. Highlights of the plan’s recommendations include restoring and activating the Bear Dens with new uses; reintroducing the Elma Lewis Playhouse to the Overlook with a new stage, restrooms, and seating; upgrading active spaces like trails, play areas, athletic fields, and picnic sites; creating a welcoming “front porch” for the Blue Hill Avenue entrance at Peabody Circle with terraced seating; and rehabilitating the landscape of the park by removing invasive plants, cutting back vegetation to reveal the park’s sweeping vistas, and planting new native species and trees. “Franklin Park is a treasured green space for our Boston residents and has played a crucial part in bringing our communities and neighborhoods together across generations,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “With this Action Plan, residents and park users will have the opportunity to help the City shape the future of the park and to create a roadmap for preservation, maintenance, and public use of Olmsted’s historic landscape.”  The themes addressed in the park’s original design are paramount to the Franklin Park Action Plan. These include historical and cultural significance, access to open space, public health benefits, and opportunities for nurturing community relationships. “Our goal throughout the process has been to understand past planning efforts, learn what is (and isn’t) working in the park, and what park users would like to see in the future,” said Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the City of Boston. “With this new funding we’re able to abandon the piecemeal approach and make a real difference for the park and the people who love it.” Franklin Park has a long history of community stewardship and activism despite decades of underinvestment in the park. The Action Plan provides a vision for proactive investment in Franklin Park to restore landscape cohesion, support uses desired by the community, and keep the park accessible and welcoming to its neighbors. The plan’s scope covers park maintenance and management as well as cultural and recreational programming. The $28 million investment includes $23 million in capital funding and a $5 million maintenance trust that was created in 2018. Earnings from the trust can be applied to maintenance expenses related to the park. “We see this plan as a generational opportunity to fund needed maintenance and realize the park’s full potential, and at the same time, protect and enhance the environmental and public health benefits of this beloved green space,” said Ryan Woods, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. “We remain committed to developing creative new opportunities for events, activities, and recreation—in partnership with the Franklin Park Coalition, Emerald Necklace Conservancy, and other local organizations.” The engagement process emphasized collaborating with neighboring residents and park users, uncovering rich and detailed information about the park’s historical past and present ecology, working with local community groups, and leveraging the expertise of a team of project managers, landscape architects, planners, ecologists, and community engagement specialists. The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, supported by design firm Reed Hilderbrand, Agency Landscape + Planning and MASS Design Group, met with residents, community organizations, and local stakeholder groups in the adjacent neighborhoods of Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, and Roxbury. Over 26,000 individuals engaged in the planning process with more than 8,000 people providing direct input. Outreach included flyers in the community, signage in the park, email, direct mail, popup events, door-to-door canvassing, community workshops, neighborhood meetings, and communications with over 150 local organizations.  "The Franklin Park Coalition is excited to be a part of this release of the Franklin Park Action Plan. This plan is the result of the hard work of the Boston Parks Department and the City of Boston, in collaboration with other community groups and organizations. We have been involved from its inception and will continue to monitor its implementation, as we strive to make Franklin Park a destination for all," said Rickie Thompson, President of the Franklin Park Coalition. "We believe that activity and community involvement brings more people into the park to enjoy. That's why we are particularly interested in the restoration of the Overlook Ruins, the original site of the Playhouse in the Park created by Elma Lewis In 1966. We look forward to all of the wonderful improvements that the plan proposes." “We rediscovered Franklin Park through the memories and voices of the community,” said John Kett, managing principal of Reed Hilderbrand. “We have always understood this place to be of cultural consequence, because of the Olmsted legacy. But there’s more to this place, more stories, more experiences—Franklin Park has meant so much to Bostonians. The Action Plan recognizes them and seeks to follow their lead in guiding future investments to bring the park into the twenty-first century.”   Over the course of the three-year planning process, community members and park stakeholders identified a long list of needs and wishes for the park. Among the top community priorities were: elevating the standard of care across the park, restoration of and improvements to The Bear Dens, The Overlook, Peabody Circle, and Ellicottdale, as well as parkwide upgrades to lighting, drainage, signage, and circulation. Park improvements and enhanced programming have already begun with funding from the Franklin Park Endowment Trust and will be complemented with expanded capital improvements focused on community priorities.   For more information or to access the public comment form, visit the Franklin Park Action Plan website.

Baker-Polito Administration Hits Milestone of Awarding More Than $200 Million in Skills Capital Grants to High Schools, Colleges, and Educational Institutions

 Baker-Polito Administration Hits Milestone of Awarding More Than $200 Million in Skills Capital Grants to High Schools, Colleges, and Educational Institutions

Latest round of grants totals nearly $51 million and includes funding to expand buildings
 

 

DANVERS –– The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded nearly $51 million in Skills Capital Grants to high schools, colleges, and educational institutions, which marks a milestone of awarding more than $200 million total over the past eight years to upgrade technology and lab spaces for students, expand career programs for young people and adults, and increase capacity in workforce training programs across the Commonwealth. Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Education Secretary James Peyser, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and Labor Secretary Rosalin Acosta visited Essex North Shore Technical High School today to announce the awards and tour the school’s new Agricultural Museum, which is being built by students.

The awards announced today include two separate rounds of grants. Approximately $39 million was awarded to nine organizations to undertake major building construction projects, funded through An Act Relative to Immediate Covid-19 Recovery Needs, passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, which included $100 million in state resources to provide capital improvement grants to vocational high schools and public schools operating career and technical education programs. The second round of grants totals $11.7 million to 38 organizations for technology equipment upgrades, and is funded through the 2018 Economic Development Bill, which established $75 million in Skills Capital Grant funding over five years.

“We created the Skills Capital Grants to ensure young people and adults in every region of the Commonwealth could learn and gain skills on the most up-to-date technologies and equipment so they would be well-prepared for in-demand careers,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are proud of these investments in vocational technical education and their long-term impacts that will positively affect thousands of Massachusetts residents for decades.”

“Our goal with the Skills Capital Grants was to align valuable state resources, build better educational opportunities, and increase access to workforce development training, and we have successfully accomplished those goals,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Since taking office, we expanded access to career training for both high school students and adults, launched the Career Technical Initiative - turning vocational schools into three shifts-a-day training facilities - and expanded STEM education opportunities for young people.”

Since 2015, 538 grants totaling $204 million have been awarded through the Skills Capital Grant program.

The Skills Capital Grants are awarded by Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which was created in 2015 to bring together the Secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development to align education, economic development, and workforce policies in order to strategize around how to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers in every region of the Commonwealth. The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state.

“These grants are all about expanding access for more students,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “The funding awarded today for major expansion projects will have a significant impact on the spaces that are available to teach and train people and will enable new programs to open in communities and regions that currently do not have a program, giving more students opportunities that didn’t exist before.”

The Skills Capital Grant program has evolved into a crucial component of local workforce training efforts by expanding the number of young people and adults trained and experienced with the newest technologies used by local employers. Approximately 80,000 students across the Commonwealth will directly benefit from all the grants awarded over the past eight years. Investments made through the Skills Capital Grant program helped establish the Career Technical Initiative at 25 vocational-technical schools, as well as early career Innovation Pathways at 60 high schools.

"This continued investment in our vocational-technical schools and colleges has a direct impact on young learners and adults, opening up more opportunity for equitable access to the best equipment possible for training in high-demand industries," said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. "Together, Skills Capital Grants and the Career Technical Initiative are creating more workforce training pathways for constituents across the Commonwealth, while helping employers address staffing shortages."

“Employer demand for skilled workers is high, and the $51 million in Skills Capital Grants we’re announcing today will help us support the space and equipment needed to expand training opportunities for young people and adults across Massachusetts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “The Baker-Polito Administration’s Workforce Skills Cabinet has provided an avenue to align policies and investments, like this one, to develop the skilled workforce needed to drive our economy forward.”

About two-thirds of the investments made with the grants are directly aligned to reduce skills gaps in high priority industry sectors, including health care, manufacturing, IT, and skilled trades. A percentage of the funding, about 5 percent, has been invested in multi-year strategic projects in manufacturing, healthcare and energy training programs which are projected to have significant regional impact.

The following nine organizations received facility awards totaling $39 million: 

Greater Lawrence Technical School, Andover - $4,000,000, Aviation Maintenance, Healthcare Assisting, Fiber Optics, and Robotics – The high school is planning a 7,900-square foot two-story addition to launch a new aviation maintenance technician program. The school will also enhance its existing healthcare assisting, robotics, and fiber optics programs by adding capacity to educate an additional 648 students over the next five years. The school’s industry partners include Straumann, Greater Lawrence Family Health Center, EDI Telecommunications, Air Bear Aviation, and Northern Essex Community College.

Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton - $2,500,000, Horticulture and Landscaping – The high school will invest to modernize Keith Hall, a 10,000 square-foot facility, as well as update equipment, including refrigeration systems, operator simulators, and forestry equipment. The school plans to increase enrollment by approximately 100 students next year. Industry partners include MA Farm Bureau, Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce, and the town of Dighton.

Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River - $5,000,000, Automotive Collision, Culinary, and Metal Fabrication – The funding will support the lab expansions for the automotive collision, culinary, and metal fabrication programs. The new facilities will be used by traditional high school students during the day and support the Career Technical Initiative (CTI) adult training program. Industry partners include MassHire Bristol Workforce Board, TACO Comfort Solutions, Bristol Community College and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

McCann Technical High School, North Adams - $ 3,110,000, HVAC – The high school will construct a 5,580 square-foot HVAC building to provide training to an estimated 100 students each year. Currently there is no HVAC technician training program in the county, and HVAC was identified by the Berkshire County Workforce blueprint as a critical workforce need. The new instructional labs will be used by traditional students as well as adult CTI students after hours.  Industry partners include MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, Berkshire Career Center, Laureyns United Contractors, and Adams Plumbing and Heating.

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Northampton - $5,000,000, Agricultural Mechanics, Automotive Technician and Horticulture – The school will rebuild the horticultural building, which was heavily damaged during a fire in May 2022. The funding will also provide a full spectrum of welding, hydraulics, diesel and gas engine equipment for instruction. The school’s Agricultural, Mechanics, Automotive Technician and Horticultural programs work with MassDOT’s pre-apprenticeship program to help train students for careers with MassDOT. IUOE Local 98 is another key industry partner providing training and career advisement to students.

Southeastern Regional School District, South Easton- $4,000,000, Electricity, Electronics/Mechatronics, Precision Machining, Robotics and Automation Technology – The school is planning a 6,800 square-foot expansion to support electricity, electronics, advanced manufacturing, and robotics programs. The school expects to serve additional students during the day as well as expand its current CTI adult training program. Industry partners include MassHire Greater Brockton Workforce Board, AccuRounds, Machine Inc., and Integra Life Sciences.

Franklin County Technical School, Turners Falls - $ 4,158,500, Aviation Technician – The high school plans to build a 12,000 square-foot instructional lab to launch a new Aviation Maintenance Technician program that will educate approximately 100 traditional day students and adult students each year. The school will meet FAA criteria to become an approved AMT Airplane Maintenance Technician. Turners Falls Airport Commission is one of the primary partners along with Gulfstream Corporation. The program will also create alliances with the Bridgewater State Aviation Science program and the newly established UMass Aviation & Research Center.

Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational Technical School, Wakefield - $7,499,922, Biotechnology, Medical Assisting, Robotics and Culinary Arts -The high school is in midst of an expansion project that will serve 320 additional students, and launch new programs in Biotechnology Medical Assisting, Robotics, and Culinary Arts. Industry partners include North Shore Community College, Winchester Hospital, Whidden Memorial Hospital/Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), Glen Ridge Nursing Center/Genesis Healthcare, Fantini Bakery, The Produce Connection, Boston Conveyor & Automation, SMC Corporation of America, Amazon Robotics, and Boston Dynamics.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School, Westford - $3,750,000, Advanced Manufacturing, Robotics, Programming-Web Development, and Engineering – The school will undertake an expansion and modernization project to add 8,750 square feet to the building to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing, robotics, and design training facility that will train more than 200 traditional day students and adults in the CTI program. Industry partners include Insulet Corporation, TÜV Rheinland, Keystone Precision, TRAK Machine Tools, RedHat, Middlesex 3 Coalition, Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium (NAMC) and Central/North Central Region Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, Mt. Wachusett Community College, Middlesex Community College and three MassHire Workforce Boards.

The following 38 organizations received a total of $11.7 million for capital equipment technology upgrades:

Agawam High School, Agawam - $146,690, Manufacturing and Information Technology - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support Agawam High School’s Manufacturing Innovation Pathway and Information Technology Innovation Pathway. 

Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough - $250,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support updating Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School’s Cosmetology instructional lab. 

Attleboro High School, Attleboro - $250,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide technology and equipment to updated Attleboro High School’s Medical Assisting vocational program and launch of a new Environmental Science and Technology vocational program.

Bellingham High School, Bellingham - $150,000, Manufacturing/Healthcare - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support Bellingham High School’s Manufacturing Innovation Pathway and Healthcare and Social Assistance Innovation Pathway.

Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional High School, Upton - $1,250,000, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional High School technology and equipment to support modernizing the Construction Technology programs to meet regional employer demand for carpenters, electricians, and electronics technicians.

Boston Community Technical School, Braintree - $100,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide Boston Community Technical School equipment to support home health aides and community health worker industry credential training programs.

Boston Dearborn STEM Academy / Boston Plan for Excellence, Boston - $150,000, Information Technology / Manufacturing - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support Boston Dearborn STEM Academy’s Information Technology Innovation Pathway and Manufacturing Innovation Pathway.

Bourne High School, Bourne - $150,000, Business and Finance/Environmental and Life Science - Funding will provide Bourne High School technology and equipment to support the Business and Finance Innovation Pathway and Environmental Life and Science Innovation Pathway.

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School, Taunton - $500,000, Manufacturing - Funding will provide technology and equipment, including updating CNC machines to support Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School ‘s Advanced Manufacturing vocational program. 

Brockton High School, Brockton - $75,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide Brockton High School technology and equipment including patient simulators to support the Health Care & Social Services Innovation Pathway.

Bunker Hill Community College, Boston - $135,799, Healthcare - Funding will provide Bunker Hill Community College technology and ultrasound equipment to support the General Sonography  and Cardiac Sonography programs.

Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable - $183,014, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Cape Cod Community College technology and equipment to support the growth of the Marine Service Technology industry certification training program.

Carver Middle High School, Carver-$75,000, Environmental & Life Science/Manufacturing - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support Carver Middle High School’s Environmental & Life Science Innovation Pathway and Manufacturing Innovation Pathway.

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Hathorne - $499,999, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School technology and equipment to support updating of the Groundskeeping and Equipment Operator vocational program.

Gloucester High School, Gloucester - $117,000, Manufacturing/Skilled Trade - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support updating the high school’s Advanced Manufacturing and Construction vocational programs as well as the Engineering afterschool “Maker Space.”

Gould Construction Institute, Woburn - $489,893, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Gould Construction Institute, the training affiliate of Associated Builders and Contractors, technology and equipment including construction simulator learning systems to support updating the Plumbing, HVAC, and Construction Craft Laborer industry certification training programs.

Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, New Bedford - $212,333, Medical Assisting - Funding will provide diagnostic, treatment, and technology/training equipment to support Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School to update the Medical Assisting vocational program. 

Haverhill High School, Haverhill - $150,000, Environmental and Life Science/Manufacturing - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment to support the Environmental and Life Science Innovation Pathway and the Manufacturing Innovation Pathway.

Integrated Electronics and Photonics Advanced Manufacturing Consortium – Springfield Technical Community College/Western New England University – Springfield, $250,000, Manufacturing - Funding will provide the Integrated Electronics and Photonics Advanced Manufacturing Consortium comprised of Springfield Technical Community College and Western New England University technology and equipment to support Electronics and Photonics Advanced Manufacturing training and degree programs.

MassBay Community College, Wellesley Hills - $500,000, Biotechnology - Funding will provide MassBay Community College instructional lab technology and equipment to support scaling of Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing high school partnerships, industry credential training, certificate, and degree programs.

Medford Vocational Technical High School, Medford - $319,989, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Medford Vocational Technical High School technology and equipment to update the Metal Fabrication and Joining Technologies vocational program and to establish a new evening program for training adults. 

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Lexington - $500,000, Agriculture - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment to support updating the Animal Science/Veterinary Science vocational program. 

New Bedford High School, New Bedford - $500,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide the high school equipment and technology to develop a simulated health sciences laboratory to support current healthcare CVTE program and the development of Health Assisting vocational program.

North Shore Community College, Danvers - $1,000,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide the college technology and equipment to modernize a healthcare simulation center to support Medical Assisting, Allied Health, and Human Services high school partnerships, industry credential training, certificate, and degree programs.

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, Palmer - $491,905, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment to modernize the HVAC vocational program instructional lab for highs school and adult training programs. 

Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, Peabody - $240,836, Hospitality - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment to modernize the Culinary Arts program.

Quincy High School, Quincy - $145,500, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Quincy High School technology and commercial grade equipment and simulators to support updating of the Electrical Technology vocational program. 

Salem High School, Salem - $169,000, Information Technology - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment to support updating the Programming & Web Development vocational program laboratory. 

South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School, Hanover - $250,000, Manufacturing /Transportation - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support the high school updating Advanced Manufacturing and Automotive Technology vocational programs for high school and adult training programs. 

Tantasqua Regional Vocational High School, Fiskdale - $131,454, Manufacturing - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment including CNC machines to support updating the Advanced Manufacturing vocational program. 

Taunton High School, Taunton - $500,000, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment including and excavator, skid steer, forklift simulator to support updating the Construction Craft Laborer vocational program.

Tech Foundry, Springfield - $100,000, Information Technology - Funding will provide technology and equipment to support updating Tech Foundry’s Information Technology adult industry certification training programs.

Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School, Franklin - $500,000, Hospitality - Funding will provide commercial restaurant technology and equipment to update Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School ‘s Culinary Arts vocational program. 

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, Bourne - $250,000, Skilled Trades - Funding will provide Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School technology and equipment to update the Electrical and adult training vocational program instructional lab.

Uxbridge High School, Uxbridge - $75,000, Innovation Technology - Funding will provide the high school technology and equipment including IT hardware, simulators, and lab equipment to support the Information Technology Innovation Pathway.

West Springfield High School, West Springfield - $150,000, Healthcare/ Manufacturing - Funding will provide technology and equipment including instructional simulators and VR equipment to support the high school’s Healthcare & Social Assistance Innovation Pathway and Manufacturing Innovation Pathway.

Westfield State University, Westfield - $250,000, Healthcare - Funding will provide the university technology and equipment to support elancing foundational Skills training for Healthcare Professionals including nurses, nursing assistants, community health workers, and physician’s assistants.

Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Haverhill - $499,461, Healthcare/Transportation - Funding will provide technology and equipment to update the Automotive Technology and Health Assisting vocational programs.

波士頓市長吳弭申請設立參與預算辦公室

MAYOR WU FILES ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH OFFICE OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING Office of Participatory Budgeting will provide another opportunity for residents to engage with the City’s budget process

BOSTON - Tuesday, December 13, 2022 - Mayor Michelle Wu yesterday filed an Ordinance establishing the Office of Participatory Budgeting, amending the City of Boston Code. The purpose of this office is to provide the structure necessary to enhance public engagement and direct involvement in the City’s budget. The ordinance requires approval by the Boston City Council. “Creating opportunities for direct involvement in the City’s budgeting process ensures our residents’ voices and needs are represented in their local government’s departments and programming,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I look forward to working with the City Council to establish this office and its oversight board for direct civic engagement to shape our budget.” This ordinance establishes the Office of Participatory Budgeting, which will include a director and an external oversight board. The Office, working in partnership with the external oversight board, will establish and manage a Participatory Budgeting Process that will be an equitable and binding decision-making process open to all Boston residents during fiscal 2024 and in addition will create another opportunity for residents to both engage with the City’s annual budget process and to make recommendations for projects to include in the budget. The Office will work across departments and agencies, external organizations, and with communities to ensure year-round public involvement and engagement in the City’s budgeting. Working with the Office, the external oversight board will be tasked with submitting participatory budgeting project proposals to the Mayor for inclusion in the City’s budget. The board will also assist in the creation of a Participatory Budgeting Rule Book, which will outline the policies and procedures for the participatory budgeting process. The Board will be composed of nine Boston residents with varied experience and expertise, including community investment and development, public finance, open space, urban planning, community organization and outreach, affordable housing, public education, public health, environmental protection, and historic preservation. The Mayor will appoint five individuals directly to the oversight board, as well as appoint four individuals to the oversight board from a pool of eight applicants provided to the Mayor by the City Council. Board members will have two-year terms. In the 2021 Municipal Election, Boston’s voters approved a ballot measure to create an Office of Participatory Budgeting charged with furthering public engagement on how the City’s budget is created and how tax dollars are spent. Ahead of the FY23 budget submission, Mayor Wu worked with the Office of Budget Management (OBM) and Boston City Council to hold a Budget Listening Tour for residents to better understand the budget and to solicit public feedback. The direct feedback was aimed to empower constituents in working alongside the City, and allowed the City to further evaluate where resources might be most equitable and valuable. For those who were unable to attend the series of listening sessions, a budget survey was also available for constituents and residents to weigh in on the city’s future investments. Additionally, recently, in advance of the FY24 budget process, the Office of Budget Management (OBM) in partnership with ONS’ Office of Civic Organizing, hosted budget workshops with groups that were underrepresented during the FY23 winter budget listening sessions to help increase their understanding of the budget process and share how to engage with the City’s budget. For more information, go to boston.gov/budget.