波士頓市府提醒選民 11月5日為大選投票日

波士頓市 在選舉日前發出的提醒 提前投票將於 11 月 1 日(星期五)之前 在全市各個地點進行。 波士頓 - 2024 年 10 月 29 日(星期二) - 波士頓選舉部門提醒選民,選舉日為 2024 年 11 月 5 日(星期二)。選民也可以投票, 決定五個全州選票問題的結果。第 6 個公共政策選票問題將在州衆議員第 2、10 和 14區域出現。 親自提前投票現場提前投票將持續到 11 月 1 日 (星期五)。(週一、週三和週五) 上午 9:00點 至下午 5:00點, (週二和週四) 上午 9:00點 至 晚上 8:00點。鼓勵選民使用 國會街(Congress Street)的 乾草市場(Haymarket)入口 進入市政廳。 全市各社區均設有其他提前親自投票地點: 10 月 29 日(星期二)和 10 月 31 日(星期四) 中午 12:00點 至晚上 8:00點,如需提前投票地點的完整列表,請點擊這裡。 所有提前投票站點都配備了電子投票簿,供選民登記。提前投票地點,配備了充足的投票工作人 員和口譯員。所有投票站均有提供選民殘疾人通道的使用。 郵寄投票申請 郵寄投票申請截止日期為 10 月 29 日(星期二)下午 5:00時,選民可以通過 麻州州務卿網站 申 請郵寄投票, 通過市政廳 241 室的選舉部門,或郵寄申請表。 所有申請表必須在 10月29日下午 5:00點 之前提交至選舉部門。 提交選票 以確保選票被統計,選民計劃通過郵局方式,寄回選票,但在選舉日的一周之內,未郵寄選票的 選民,我們鼓勵您,透過其他方式寄回選票。選票必須在 2024 年 11 月 5 日之前加蓋郵戳,波士 頓選舉部門需要在不遲於 2024 年 11 月 8 日下午 5:00點 前收到選票。 波士頓選舉部門在全市放置了 23 個選票回收箱,包括波士頓市政廳一樓和三樓入口處。所有選 票回收箱均受到24小時視訊監控。若要尋找選票回的收箱位置, 參考這裡。 選民可以在晚上 8 點前親自交回選票。在選舉日提交至全市 23 個選票回收箱中的任何一個,或 親自前往市政廳的選舉部門。選票不能在選舉日提交選票至投票站。 從 10 月 31 日上午 9:00點 時開始,選票回收箱將於萬聖節期間關閉,至 11 月 1 日中午 12:00時 重新開放。 選民可以透過州政府的網站這裡追蹤您的選票 。 如果「追蹤我的選票」系統沒有顯示任何更新 變化,選民應計劃在選舉日親自投票。 無障礙投票 無障礙電子投票系統允許及協助 無法獨立閱讀、書寫、持有或操作,或標記選票的選民,透過安 全的電子傳送系統,提交選票。有資格獲得無障礙電子選票的選民, 可以通過 這裡申請。 申請 無障礙選票的截止日期為 2024 年 10 月 29 日(星期二) 下午 5:00時。 請注意:要獲得電子選票,您需要提供您的電郵地址。 在選舉日投票 投票站在上午 7:00時 開放,晚上 8:00時 關閉。可以通過 這裡找到投票站的列表。溫馨提示:選 民應該透過以下方式,檢查您的選民登記狀態:麻州州務卿網站。 紙張印刷的選票將提供英語和 西班牙語版本。中文和越南文的選票如有需要可提供使用 。如有要求,投票站還可提供口譯員協 助。所有投票地點均可供輪椅通行,並配備自動投票輔助器(AutoMark),支援及協助殘疾選民獨 立地進行投票。 投票地點變更 選區和小/轄區   以前的地點    新地點 第6選區 的第10 小區  詹姆斯·F·康登學校 (James F. Condon School)200 D 街,South Boston (南波士頓) 人類服務藝術家機構(Artists for Humanity)100 West Second (西二街), South Boston (南波士頓) 第6選區的第11 小區和 第12 小區  位於 55 Pier Four Blvd大樓.(55 Pier Four Blvd.) South Boston Waterfront(南波士頓海濱區) 波士頓碼頭路 1 號大樓(Building at 1 Boston Wharf Road) 1 Boston Wharf Road, (波士頓碼頭路)South Boston Waterfront(南波士頓海濱區) 第15選區的第2 小區和 第2 小區 消防局7 教區 (Parish) 街,Dorchester (多切斯特市) 消防局44 冬季(Winter) 街,選民從教區(Parish)街進入,Dorchesterr (多切斯特市) 第17選區的第1小區和 第 3 小區 科德曼廣場健康中心大廳(Great Hall at Codman Square Health Center) 6 Norfolk(諾福克) 街 Dorchester (多切斯特市) 科德曼廣場技術中心(Codman Square Tech Centre) 450 華盛頓街 Dorchester (多切斯特市) 中央選票統計 2024 年 10 月 28 日(星期一) 開始,波士頓市會從 州選舉選票的信封中取出, 並將這些選票放入 波士頓市政廳的點票機中。根據這裡列出的日期和時間,市府將盡快處理選票。 非官方結果 投票於晚上8時 結束後,選舉部門將接收,並上傳從每個選區收回的非官方投票清點結果。 投票 站工作人員需要時間來統計選舉結果,並將資料從投票點送到市政廳。選舉結果的上傳,可能要 等到直至晚上 10:00 時之後才會開始。 選舉日晚上 網站的報告之初步結果將包括: ● 在選舉日親自投票的選票結果; ● 提前投票和郵寄選票,包括市政廳中央點票統計設備的選區選票結果。 非官方結果已上傳至 www.boston.gov/election 選舉日晚上 將不包括以下幾個組別的選票結果 : ● 郵寄選票及缺席選票在選舉日準時送達,但來不及送往投票地點進行點票; ● 選舉當晚 8:00pm 從投遞箱取回的選票; ● 美國國內郵寄選票在 11 月 5 日之前蓋上郵戳,並在 11月8日下午5:00 時 之前到達市政廳; ● 美國國外郵寄的選票,郵戳日期為 11 月 5 日,並於 11月15日下午5:00時 之前到達市政廳。 根據州法律允許,按時到達了 選舉部的郵寄選票或缺席選票,將在選舉委員會的確定日期,在市政廳進行計點計選票。(市政府提供的中文翻譯) CITY OF BOSTON ISSUES REMINDERS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY IN ONE WEEK  Early voting will take place at sites throughout the city until Friday, November 1.

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - The Boston Election Department is reminding voters that Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The State Election determines the winner of various state and federal races, including the presidency. Voters can also decide the result of five statewide ballot questions. A sixth public policy question will appear in State Representative Districts 2, 10, and 14. Early voting will continue through November 1 at sites around the City. In-Person Early Voting In-person early voting will continue through Friday, November 1. City Hall is Boston's primary early voting site, with voting from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Voters are encouraged to enter City Hall using the Haymarket entrance on Congress Street.  Additional early voting locations are available in neighborhoods throughout the city on Tuesday, October 29, and Thursday, October 31 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For a full list of early voting locations click here. All early voting sites are equipped with electronic poll books for voter check-in. Early voting locations are well-staffed with poll workers and interpreters. All sites are fully accessible to voters with disabilities. Vote By Mail Application The vote by mail application deadline is Tuesday, October 29 at 5:00 p.m. Voters may apply for a vote by mail ballot through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website, by visiting the Election Department in room 241 at City Hall, or by mailing an application.  All applications must reach the Election Department by 5:00 p.m. on October 29. Ballot Return Voters who planned to return their ballots by U.S. Mail and have not mailed their ballots within one week of Election Day are encouraged to return their ballots through other means, to ensure they will be counted. Ballot packages must be postmarked by November 5, 2024, and received by the Boston Election Department no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 8, 2024. The Boston Election Department has placed 23 ballot drop boxes across the City, including at both the first and third floor entrances of Boston City Hall. All drop boxes are monitored under 24-hour video surveillance. To find a ballot drop box location, visit here.  Voters may return their ballots in person until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day to any of the 23 drop boxes across the City, or in person at the Election Department in City Hall. Ballots cannot be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Ballot drop boxes will be closed on Halloween, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on October 31 and reopening by 12:00 p.m. on November 1.  Voters can track their ballot through the state's website here. If there is no movement indicated in the “Track My Ballot” system, voters should plan to vote in person on Election Day. Accessible Voting The Accessible Electronic Voting System allows voters who are unable to independently read, write, hold, or physically manipulate or mark ballots to submit their ballot via a secure electronic delivery system. Voters who qualify for an Accessible Electronic Ballot may apply here. The deadline to apply for an accessible ballot is Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Please note: To get access to the electronic ballot, you will need to provide your email address. Voting On Election Day  Polling locations open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. A list of polling locations can be found here. As a reminder, voters should check their registration status via the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish. Chinese and Vietnamese ballots will be available where required. Language interpreters will also be available upon request. All voting locations are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with an AutoMark Voter Assist Terminal for voters with disabilities to assist with marking the ballot independently. Polling Location Changes  Ward 6, Precinct 10 Previous Location: James F. Condon School 200 D Street,                South Boston New Location: Artists for Humanity 100 West Second Street,  South Boston Ward 6, Precincts 11 & 12 Previous Location: Building at 55 Pier Four Blvd. 55 Pier Four Blvd.,  South Boston Waterfront New Location: Building at 1 Boston Wharf Road 1 Boston Wharf Road,  South Boston Waterfront Ward 15, Precincts 2 & 3 Previous Location: Fire Station 7 Parish Street, Dorchester New Location: Fire Station 44 Winter Street, voters enter from Parish Street, Dorchester Ward 17, Precincts 1 & 3 Previous Location: Great Hall at Codman Square Health Center 6 Norfolk Street,  Dorchester New Location: Codman Square Tech Centre 450 Washington Street,  Dorchester Central Tabulation On Monday, October 28, 2024, the City of Boston began removing State Election ballots from their envelopes and depositing these ballots into a tabulator at Boston City Hall. The city will process ballots to the extent feasible during the dates and times listed here. Unofficial Results After polls close at 8:00 pm, the Election Department will receive and upload unofficial results of ballots counted at polling places as they are returned from each precinct. Poll workers need time to tally election results and transport materials from polling places to City Hall. Uploading of election results may not begin until after 10:00 p.m. The initial results reported on the website on election night will include: Ballots cast in person on election day; Early voting and mail-in ballots, including those from precincts being centrally tabulated at the City Hall central tabulation facility. The unofficial results uploaded to www.boston.gov/election on election night will NOT include the following groups of ballots: Mail and absentee ballots that arrive on time on election day, but too late to be sent to polling locations to be counted; Ballots retrieved from the drop boxes at 8:00 p.m. on election night; Ballots postmarked by November 5 that arrive at City Hall by November 8 at 5:00 pm for domestic mail; Ballots postmarked by November 5 that arrive at City Hall by November 15 at 5:00 pm for foreign mail. Mail or absentee ballots that arrive on time at the Election Department as allowed by state law, will be counted at City Hall on a date determined by the Board of Election Commissioners.

Healey-DriscollAdministration Launches MassTalent Online Job Platform

Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches MassTalent Online Job Platform

Improved front-door experience allows for employers and jobseekers to navigate resources; connects employers and industry to skilled talent, and jobseekers to employment opportunities across Massachusetts

Waltham, MA – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today launched the online job platform for MassTalent, a key strategy in its Massachusetts Workforce Agenda to connect employers with skilled talent and empower jobseekers with tailored career opportunities. Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones joined Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Dr. Emily Reichert, local and state officials, members of the business community, and National Grid New England President Lisa Wieland to make the announcement at National Grid’s New England headquarters in Waltham.

The administration introduced MassTalent in 2023 with the goal of connecting employers with jobseekers in high-demand, high-growth industries – advanced manufacturing, clean energy, health and human services, life sciences, and technology, with a special focus on cybersecurity. Today’s launch of the new MassTalent website offers an industry-spanning search tool and a unique MassTalent filter, allowing employers to promote job opportunities and jobseekers to highlight their credentials and skills obtained through employment and training.

“Massachusetts is home to the best talent and the most innovative companies, and MassTalent will improve our efforts to connect skilled workers with employers who have jobs that need filling,” said Governor Maura Healey. “MassTalent represents our strategic effort to strengthen Massachusetts' competitive advantage in our top five critical sectors and build the workforce we need today and for the future.”
 
“MassTalent is set to serve as a crucial front door for both employers and jobseekers, making it easier to navigate employment opportunities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re bringing together resources from across the administration to make it easier for jobseekers to get the information they need to connect with businesses who are looking to hire.”

Key enhancements to MassTalent include:

• A Dynamic, Revamped Website: A new MassTalent website offers a more engaging and interactive user experience, making it easier for employers and jobseekers to connect.

 

• Improved Front-Door Experience: An enhanced front-door interface will streamline access to employment-related resources, categorized by industry, to facilitate easier navigation.

 

• Updated MassHire JobQuest Tool: The MassHire JobQuest tool has been upgraded to provide a more adaptive search experience for both talent and job opportunities, helping jobseekers find the best matches and employers to discover skilled candidates more efficiently.
  
  
• Enhanced Employer Access: Employers will benefit from MassTalent filter for improved search capabilities to find trained and skilled talent in high-growth, in-demand industries.
  
  
• Increased Jobseeker Awareness: Jobseekers will gain better insights into career opportunities across high-growth sectors through MassTalent filter, enabling them to make informed decisions about their career paths.

 

MassTalent seeks to create a broad coalition across the state’s business community to promote available opportunities and accelerate the generation of skilled talent by connecting employers and industry to qualified talent, and jobseekers to employment and training opportunities statewide.

“MassTalent demonstrates one of the many ways our administration is committed to connecting employers to talent and jobseekers to career opportunities in Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Through MassTalent and enhanced resources our goal is to improve the user experience, promote available opportunities, and build connections that will strengthen our workforce today and for the future.”

“Massachusetts must mobilize an additional 34,000 clean energy workers by 2030 to meet our climate goals,” said Massachusetts Clean Energy Center CEO Emily Reichert. “The faster we build this workforce, the faster we can install heat pumps, add solar panels to roofs, weatherize our homes, and implement other clean energy solutions. An enhanced MassTalent will help jumpstart the climate-critical careers that will accelerate our clean energy transformation.”

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development convened several state agencies and quasi-public agencies focused on investing in workforce development including the Workforce Skills Cabinet, Commonwealth Corporation, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. EOLWD also held listening sessions earlier this year to gather user feedback and data from industry partners such as the Massachusetts Hospital Association, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and MassBIO to help refine the new MassTalent improvements and ensure that the platform could better align with the needs of both employers and jobseekers.

“At National Grid, we know how important supporting, growing, and upskilling the clean energy workforce is for meeting Massachusetts’ climate goals. MassTalent’s new platform will help get the right people into the right jobs faster and easier,” said President of National Grid New England Lisa Wieland. “Through our Strategic Workforce Development Initiatives and together with our partners, we train hundreds of people for energy jobs. These improvements to MassTalent will help those participants find the job that is the best fit for them, allowing all of us to fill roles critical to our clean energy transition."

“Our world class education system is helping prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow and today. The new MassTalent will make it easier for jobseekers to showcase their skills and credentials and connect with employers across the state in high-growth, high-demand industries,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “Whether through higher education, a career and technical education school, or apprenticeship, our learners are ready to make an impact on the Commonwealth.” 

For more information, please visit the MassTalent website at www.mass.gov/masstalent.

Governor Healey Names Jordan Maynard as Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission

 Governor Healey Names Jordan Maynard as Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission  

Governor Healey also appoints Former Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur as Commissioner 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey appointed Jordan Maynard as the Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, a position he has held in an interim capacity since Cathy Judd-Stein's retirement in March. Governor Healey also appointed the former Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur to serve as a Commissioner, now filling the final seat of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.  

“I’m grateful to Jordan Maynard for providing strong leadership for the Gaming Commission during this transitional period and proud to appoint him as Chair. He has proven to be a consensus builder who has a deep understanding of the agency and strives to do what’s best for the people of Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Mayor Paul Brodeur is a trusted leader in our state who has a record of bringing people together to deliver results on our most pressing challenges, including by bringing together elected officials, the business community, labor and advocates to negotiate the Grand Bargain which strengthened our economy and supported Massachusetts workers, families and businesses alike. I’m excited for him to continue to service to Massachusetts as a Commissioner.” 

“I am thankful for Chair Maynard for stepping up to take the reins of our Gaming Commission on a permanent basis and to former Mayor Brodeur taking on this new challenge as Commissioner,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We have a strong team at the Commission and I’m confident they will make decisions in the best interest of the industry and our state.” 

"I am humbled by the opportunity to serve the Commonwealth as chair of the Gaming Commission, and am grateful to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for the trust they have placed in me to carry forward the mission of this incredibly important agency,” said Chair Jordan Maynard. "Since being appointed to the Commission in 2022 and through my time as interim chair, I have been consistently impressed with the level of integrity and leadership shown by my fellow commissioners and staff at the MGC. I am confident that Mayor Brodeur will make an impactful addition to the MGC team where he will be able to call on his excellent experience as a state and municipal leader and continue his service to the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." 

“I have great respect for the important work that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission does to oversee and support this industry that is critical for our economy, workforce and competitiveness,” said Mayor Brodeur. “This moment more than ever requires leaders who bring people together, look past differences and make progress, and I’m committed to being that type of leadership. I’m grateful to Governor Healey for placing her trust in me to serve as a Commissioner, and I look forward to working with Chair Maynard and the entire team at the Gaming Commission.” 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission was created after “An Act Establishing Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth” was signed into law on November 22, 2011. The Commission is a full-time, five-member independent body that is the single licensing and regulatory body of the casino, horse racing, and sports wagering industries in Massachusetts. 

The Commission consists of five commissioners, one appointed by the governor, one appointed by the attorney general (who must have experience in criminal investigations and law enforcement), one appointed by the State Treasurer (who must be proficient in corporate finance and securities), and two appointed by a majority vote of the same three constitutional officers. The Governor designates the Chair of the Commission. 

About Jordan Maynard  

Jordan Maynard has served the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as interim chair since March 2024 after being appointed commissioner in August 2022. Since joining the Commission, he has played a pivotal role in successfully rolling out sports wagering, enhancing consumer experiences, and continuing to support robust responsible gaming initiatives focused on player health to protect all citizens in the Commonwealth. 

Maynard spearheads the MGC’s involvement in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Youth Sports Betting Safety Initiative, working with statewide partners to combat underage sports wagering while creating a curriculum to educate youth on the potential harms of unsafe gambling. He has made security at the brick-and-mortar properties in Massachusetts a top priority, working with the licensees on best practices and prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of patrons. Maynard is committed to creating regulations and policies that will enhance the economic benefit of gaming for the Commonwealth to benefit area residents, local businesses and employees. Leading with care and fidelity to the law, Maynard’s work has helped maintain the strong reputation of the MGC amongst its partners and licensees. 

In October 2024, Maynard was named by the Innovation Group to the Emerging Leaders of Gaming 40 under 40 class of 2025. Earlier in 2024 he was recognized by US Gaming Hub’s Game Masters Top 100 Most Influential Figures in the US Gaming Industry. 

Prior to joining the Commission, Maynard served as Chief Secretary to the Governor. He is a 2010 Graduate of Morehead State University and a 2013 graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s Chase School of Law. 

About Paul Brodeur  

Paul Brodeur previously served as the Mayor of Melrose from 2019-2024, delivering four on-time balanced budgets and managing the municipal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He successfully won passage of a major renovation of the Melrose Public Library and led a debt exclusion campaign to rebuild four Melrose public safety buildings. Previously, he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 2011-2019, serving the communities of Melrose, Wakefield and Malden. He was the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development and was the Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications. During this time, he negotiated the 2018 labor rights law known as “the Grand Bargain,” which increased the minimum wage to $15 an hour and created a new universal Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Under this leadership, the Commonwealth also passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and important reforms to Massachusetts non-compete laws. His first elected office was as an Alderman in Melrose.  

Prior to holding elected office, Brodeur was Acting General Counsel for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, an enforcement attorney in the Massachusetts Securities Division and handled criminal prosecutions in the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office. He received his BA in Government and Law from Lafayette College and his JD from Suffolk University. He lives in Melrose with his wife Elizabeth, his two sons, and his dog Wilbur. 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES START OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY WEEK

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES START OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY WEEK  Boston launching compact with Cambridge to build local economic growth, opening SCALE grant program, and celebrating major gains in city contracting with diverse and local small businesses BOSTON — Monday, October 28, 2024 — Today, Mayor Michelle Wu kicked off the City’s second annual Supplier Diversity Week, reaffirming the City’s commitment to supporting local, diverse businesses in city contracts. As part of this effort, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) entitled “Compact to Build Local Economic Growth,” a public commitment by the City of Boston and City of Cambridge to work together to advance shared supplier diversity goals. This includes increasing public contracting for minority-owned (MBEs), women-owned business enterprises (WBEs), veteran-owned (VBEs), and LGBTQ-owned business enterprises (LGBTQBEs). The Mayor also announced the opening of applications for the Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) Grant Program, the release of the annual Equity in City Contracts Report paired with a new data dashboard, and a series of events and workshops aimed at supporting residents and local business. “We are blessed in Boston to have incredible businesses who strengthen our local economy and bring so much vibrancy to our community,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “To make Boston a home for everyone, we must keep building on our work to support small, local businesses across neighborhoods. I’m thrilled to partner with the City of Cambridge to ensure that we coordinate our efforts and increase contracting opportunities for businesses that have traditionally not had access to public contracts. Through the opening of the SCALE program and Boston’s strong progress towards our supplier diversity goals, I’m excited for the work the City and all of our partners will continue to do together to build wealth in our communities and support businesses across Boston.” “Thanks to Mayor Wu and her commitment to closing the racial wealth gap, ensuring that a greater share of City contracts are awarded to local, small, diverse firms continues to be a top priority for the Administration. This is evidenced by a second year of continued process improvements, deeper collaboration across the City team, and important achievements like exceeding $100 million in spending with these firms in just one fiscal year,” said Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu. “I am grateful for the hard work of the Supplier Diversity and Procurement teams who are not just creating pathways to contract opportunities, but providing on-ramps for local and diverse firms to become competitive. This type of progress will not only transform the lives of business owners, workers, and residents, but also cast the city in a new light as a place where all dreams can grow.” “As a major buyer of goods and services, it is important that the City of Boston uses its buying power to empower local, small, and diverse businesses and to help close the racial wealth gap,” said Chief Financial Officer Ashley Groffenberger. “Under Mayor Wu’s leadership, our teams have worked to streamline processes, uplift our data and lower barriers to City contracting. Now, we have the ability to hold ourselves accountable through an interactive public dashboard that will show progress in reaching our supplier diversity goals. I am grateful to the Mayor, Chief Idowu, and the Supplier Diversity, Procurement and Auditing teams for their dedication to this effort.” The Boston/Cambridge compact will build local economic growth by strengthening the relationship between the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity (DSD) and the City of Cambridge’s Community Development Department (CDD). This signed compact will ensure both departments work closely together, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, to increase contracting opportunities for, and supporting the growth and development of, MBEs, WBEs, VBEs, and LGBTQBEs. This compact will allow the City of Boston to certify Cambridge-based businesses, work with the City of Cambridge to provide access and assistance to MBEs, WBEs VBEs, LGBTQBEs, and other diverse businesses in City of Boston procurement opportunities and business initiatives. The City of Cambridge will provide City of Boston certified businesses with access to Cambridge training opportunities and help the City of Boston with determining eligibility of Cambridge-based businesses to be certified in Boston. This initiative aims to build on Boston’s ongoing goal of building generational wealth, expanding economic opportunities for residents across Boston’s neighborhoods and better support local MBEs, WBEs, VBEs, and LGBTQBEs. “The City of Cambridge is excited to partner with the City of Boston and elevate opportunities for minority-owned, veteran-owned, women-owned, and other historically disadvantaged businesses,” said Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang. “We are deeply committed to creating a more equitable and welcoming procurement process, while more broadly supporting and uplifting the many diverse businesses' in our area. This is the latest step of many that Cambridge has undertaken to improve its supplier diversity. I am especially grateful for the collaboration between the Cambridge’s Community Development and Purchasing Departments and Mayor Wu's Office and the City of Boston. If they are not already, we encourage diverse Cambridge and Boston businesses to become certified now.”

Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) Grant Program In line with ongoing City efforts, Mayor Wu and the Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Cabinet also announced that the City’s Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) grant program will open this Friday, November 1 at 12:00 p.m. and close on Monday, December 2, 2024. The program will provide selected participants with a grant of up to $200,000 and industry-specific technical assistance for three to six months. Selected participants will be small, local, businesses and a part of industry categories that currently represent a large share of the City’s public contracts. The grant program funding, provided by the American Rescue Plan Act, is anticipated to total $5 million and will be disbursed in the beginning of 2025. Mayor Wu first announced the foundation for SCALE during Supplier Diversity Week 2023. The BDC Community Capital Corporation will now administer and execute the SCALE grant program. Once grant recipients have been selected, BDC Community Capital Corporation and technical assistance providers will work with SCALE participants to create a plan to use the funding to address key pain points that limit their businesses’ ability to perform larger institutional contracts or identify investments that will help them scale.  “We are absolutely thrilled to work with the City of Boston to launch this program. The City’s focus on assisting the scaling up of underserved businesses by securing public contracts, is critical to fostering economic growth and ensuring equitable opportunities for all members of our community,” said Karim Hill, President of BDC Community Capital Corporation. Equity in City Contracts Annual Report and Data Dashboard  In an effort to ensure residents and local businesses have a clear understanding of the City’s contracting and spending, the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI), Department of Supplier Diversity (DSD), and Procurement Department are releasing its annual Equity in City Contracts Report. For the first time, in partnership with the Auditing Department, this report will be released with an interactive data dashboard that will better show the City’s contract spending and provide transparency on the City’s progress towards Boston’s supplier diversity goals. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, the City of Boston achieved the following:  Diverse companies got contracts that were worth more: The City of Boston awarded a total of $1.8 billion in contracts that began in FY24, of which $224.7 million, or 12%, was awarded to certified minority- and women-owned businesses (MBEs, MWBEs, and WBEs), representing a 40% increase in contract award value. The City spent more than ever before with certified businesses: Contract spending with certified minority-and women-owned businesses (MBEs, MWBEs, and WBEs) in FY24 totaled $144.3 million, or 11% of all City of Boston discretionary spending, representing an 88% increase in discretionary spending with certified businesses. Since the City began tracking these metrics, this is the first time in the City’s history that diverse firms have been awarded more than $100 million in a single fiscal year. The City ramped up utilization of Inclusive Quote Contracts (IQC): Established by Mayor Wu’s home rule petition in 2022, the IQC procurement method now allows City officials to use the written quote process, a simpler and cost-effective process for both small, local businesses and City departments, instead of procurements through a Requests for Proposals or Invitation for Bids to procure supplies and services up to $250,000 when purchasing from certified small, local, disadvantaged businesses. The City has awarded 26 total IQC’s, 19 of which were awarded in FY24.  FY24 saw a measurable increase in the number of Certified Businesses: DSD certified 209 new businesses, an increase from 157 new certifications in 2023. DSD increased the total number of City-certified businesses in the directory to 916, a 13.4% increase from the previous fiscal year. Throughout this week, the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity is hosting a variety of free and open resource fairs, sessions, and workshops to highlight and promote diversity and inclusion within Boston’s business community. These workshops will provide small business owners with essential tools and knowledge to successfully navigate the City’s contracting processes. To register for Supplier Diversity Week Workshops, please visit this link or boston.gov/sd. This announcement builds on the Mayor’s commitment to break down barriers for businesses, expand opportunity for residents and make Boston a home for everyone. Last year, the City of Boston’s Contracting Opportunity Fund awarded approximately $750,000 in grants of up to $15,000 with a focus on six priority sectors that represent areas of high municipal spending. To advance equity in procurement, Mayor Wu launched the Sheltered Market pilot program, which allowed the City of Boston to designate certain contracts for procurement from minority- and women-owned businesses. In 2016, then-Councilor Wu and then-Councilor Ayanna Pressley presided over the City Council hearing that examined the City’s procurement process and efforts to support local businesses. In 2017, then-Councilor Wu and then-Councilor Ayanna Pressley co-sponsored an ordinance that required the City to collect more data on contracting.