Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Meeting of Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force

Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Meeting of Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force 

Governor elevates Congressional delegation, Lieutenant Governor as Co-Chairs of Task Force dedicated to protecting and expanding missions, jobs and investments at Massachusetts’ military installations 
 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll hosted members of the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force for a meeting at the State House that featured an update on Massachusetts’ six military installations and a discussion of recent and upcoming Task Force activities. Governor Healey serves as chair of the Task Force. The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force was created in 2012 to protect and expand missions, jobs, and economic investments at and surrounding Massachusetts’ military installations.  

Massachusetts’s military installations include: Barnes Air National Guard Base, Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA), Hanscom Air Force Base, Joint Base Cape Cod, Natick Soldier Systems Center, and Westover Air Reserve Base. These bases generate more than $13.2 billion in total economic activity and support for more than 57,000 jobs in Massachusetts. 

The U.S. Department of Defense has recently recognized the strength of Massachusetts and military missions in the state. A recently released report listed Massachusetts in the top 10 states for defense contract spending across the United States. In December 2024, the Secretary of the Air Force formally selected Barnes Air National Guard Base to receive the new F-35A aircraft, cementing the presence of the Air Force in Western Massachusetts for the foreseeable future. In addition, the Air Force also identified Hanscom Air Force Base as the sole location to host the Air Force’s new Information Dominance Systems Center, along with additional jobs and led by a new three star general officer.   

“One of the greatest opportunities the Lieutenant Governor and I have had in office is meeting service members and visiting our military installations,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our military installations play an incredibly important role in our state: as leaders in national defense, as regional economic drivers, and as places where young men and women learn and grow in their military service and become leaders. In many ways, they are the keepers of our deepest legacies in Massachusetts, around service and self-government. We’re proud to be convening this Task Force to advance the mission of our state’s military installations and discuss how our administration can support economic development in and around our military bases.” 

“As the proud daughter of a Navy veteran, I grew up with a deep understanding of and respect for military service. That’s why I’ve visited each of our six military installations to meet with base leaders and community partners and learn about their key missions up close,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to working with all levels of government on identifying opportunities to support the people, infrastructure and mission needs of the military installations in Massachusetts.”   

As chair of the Task Force, Governor Healey elevated Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation to serve as co-chairs. At the meeting, Governor Healey also appointed four additional members from higher education and the defense industry to the Task Force: UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, Northeastern Senior Vice Provost Dr. David Luzzi, MITRE Senior Principal Katie Enos and General Dynamics Vice President and General Manager of Maritime and Strategic Systems Dr. Laura Hooks.  

Additional members of the Task Force include: Healey-Driscoll administration cabinet secretaries, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard Major General Gary W. Keefe, Commander of the Massachusetts Army National Guard Brigadier General Mark Kalin, Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard Brigadier General Joseph Morrissey, State Senator John Velis, State Senator Ryan Fattman, State Representative David Vieira, President and CEO MassDevelopment Navjeet Bal, Mass Tech Collaborative CEO Carolyn Kirk, and Massport CEO Richard Davey.  

“For centuries the men and women of the commonwealth have been there for Massachusetts to assist with natural disasters, security threats and armed conflict,” said Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts National Guard. “The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force is focused on ensuring our service members have the tools and training to meet any challenge. Through collaboration with our military organizations and partners from Business and Educational institutions the Task Forces is committed to providing critical resources to our troops to guarantee mission success.”

“The Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force has an important role in enhancing the operational efficiency and economic impact of our state’s military installations,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “Strengthening collaboration between the military installations, businesses and academic institutions safeguards vital investments while expanding opportunities for growth and innovation. This Task Force is one example of the many ways we support our military and underscores our deep commitment to national security, local job creation and strong community partnerships.”  

“Massachusetts takes pride in ensuring our military installations provide real opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “These bases shape the next generation of leaders and help veterans transition to civilian life. By fostering these connections, we show our deep gratitude for our veterans and their sacrifices.” 

“Massachusetts’ military installations drive significant economic activity across our state, creating jobs as well as opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and investment with local industry and academic partners,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The Executive Office of Economic Development and our partners at MassDevelopment are proud to support the Task Force as it works to protect and expand jobs and investments here in Massachusetts.” 
 
“MassDevelopment is pleased to support the work of the Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “As the state’s development finance agency and land bank, MassDevelopment understands the importance of our military installations to our economy and has worked to partner with and strengthen bases across Massachusetts.” 

In the last 10 years, the federal government has invested nearly $1 billion in capital construction at Massachusetts military installations, including over $300 million for MIT Lincoln Lab, $37 million for the Hanscom Air Force Base Child Development Center, and $18.5 million for the barracks addition at Natick Soldier Systems Center.  

The Task Force holds bimonthly calls focused on Massachusetts installations and national perspectives, as well as quarterly working group meetings. Lieutenant Governor Driscoll participated in the October 2024 working group meeting held at Natick Soldier Systems Center.  

麻州州長Maura Healey祝您蛇年快樂

 

                                                           視頻來自麻州州長辦公室

實錘了，Josh Kraft將和吳弭角逐波士頓市長大位

             (Boston Orange 編譯) 傳說要競選波士頓市長的萬億富翁之子，Josh Kraft，今 (27)日遞交參選文件，出現在麻州競選財務網站上。這下子，今年的波士頓市長選舉真的是男女、白人與有色人種，富翁與為窮人爭權益者之爭了。

             在競選和政治財務辦公室 (Office of Campaign and Political Finance)網站的候選人頁面中，Josh Kraft把Allison Murray列為他的競選財政。

             Kraft的發言人Eileen O’Connor表示，遞表是稍後正式宣佈參選前必要的一步。屆時Kraft會公佈他如何翻轉波士頓的計畫與想法。

             Kraft 現年57歲，目前以新英格蘭愛國者基金董事長身份監管家族慈善事業，他也是麻州東部城市聯盟主席，該機構座落於洛士百利，是個有歷史的民權組織。早前，Kraft還曾在波士頓男子與女子童軍俱樂部工作過30年，其中12年擔任主席及執行長。

Josh Kraft從來沒有競選過任何公職，但政治人圈內傳說他有參選波士頓市長，和吳弭市長角逐大位，已有一年多了。他在社交媒體上張貼非牟利工作，以及在公眾場合出現的記錄，都助長了人們對他有意參選市長的猜測。

             儘管Josh Kraft手邊握有大量資源可任意使用，但他很可能面對一場不容易的選戰，因為他不但是在挑戰一名在位市長，還是挑戰一位波士頓市有史以來的第一位民選女市長，有色人種市長，以及母親市長。4年前，吳弭在波士頓市的22個選區中，除了3個選區之外，全都大勝，意味著她在波士頓市支持度非常高。

華悅音樂蛇年音樂會宣佈波士頓國際交響樂團正式成立

Olga Lisovska (左二)和樂團指揮Jorge Soto (右四)把朱鴻面前的紅綢布萊開，
位BISOc揭牌。右起為嘉賓李建生、James O’Dell，Eugene Hartigan。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 華悅音樂 (WeStar Music) 主辦，廣州聯誼會協辦的「中國風、蛇韻華章」新年交響歌舞晚會，1月18日晚在勒星頓鎮的凱瑞廳 (Carry Hall) 吸引數百觀眾，博得熱烈掌聲，會中並宣佈「波士頓國際交響樂團 (BISO)」正式成立。

演出謝幕。(周菊子攝)

              這場音樂會也是「波士頓國際交響樂團 (BISO)」的初次演出，由指揮 Jorge Soto率交響樂團演奏「我的祖國 (My Motherland)」揭開序幕。

              既是華悅音樂學院，波士頓國際音樂大賽，也是波士頓國際交響樂團創辦人的朱鴻表示，創辦華悅音樂是希望讓更多小孩子能夠跟隨國際大師學習各種風格音樂，創辦波士頓國際交響樂團則是希望有個能夠演奏中國音樂及現代作品的交響樂團，促進不同文化背景的音樂交流。

廉艷(左一)和指揮等人謝幕。(周菊子攝)

              作為華悅音樂學院成員之一，擔任比賽評審團主席的伯克利音樂學院退休教授James O’Dell在BISO揭幕環節中也說，他相信當晚演出真的是大波士頓的第一次，也大概是許多州及國家的第一次 (由交響樂團演奏中國樂曲)。

廉艷展示花腔技巧。(周菊子攝)

              這晚的音樂會由王曉梅和艾坦沃曼搭檔，以中英文併陳形式主持，在交響樂團演奏「我的祖國」之後，由古箏演奏家夏菁和吉他演奏家胡濱做中國風二重奏「鍾馗的征途」，音樂比賽得獎者Tiffany Zhao演唱電影「魔法奇緣」中的作品，花腔女高音廉艷，男中音Ilya Silchukou，女高音Olga Lisovska，手風琴演奏家Cory Pesaturo等人演唱及演奏中西歌曲。

主持人介紹烏克蘭小姐。(周菊子攝)

              在演奏烏克蘭名曲「扎波羅熱進行曲」前，還特地邀請烏克蘭小姐出場，以烏克蘭語作介紹。在交響樂團演奏「藍色多瑙河」這首樂曲時，主辦單位安排了舞者雙雙對對的舞進會場，許多觀眾也響應主持人號召，在會場走道上隨著音樂翩翩起舞。

              朱鴻感謝當晚出席嘉賓，包括James O’Dell，Kurt Steinberg博士，李建生博士、Gene Hartigen，柏志剛等人，還表示，接下來他將專注於為7至30歲作曲家和學生籌辦，分聲樂、鋼琴、絃樂和綜合樂器四個類別的「波士頓國際作曲大賽」，已邀請22位著名教授，音樂家擔任評審。查詢詳情可上網https://bimc.us。 (更新版)      

指揮Jorge Soto。(周菊子攝)

主持人王曉梅和搭檔。(周菊子攝)

Tiffany Zhao演唱魔法奇緣歌曲。(周菊子攝)

古箏演奏家夏菁和吉他演奏家胡濱做中國風二重奏「鍾馗的征途」，(周菊子攝)

手風琴演奏家Cory Pesaturo。(周菊子攝)

廣州聯誼會的志工組組長李君庭(左二)率志工做音樂會接待。(周菊子攝)

摩頓市慶祝農曆新春 華夏文協掌舵揭蛇年郵票

部分演出人員合影。

             (Boston Orange) 華夏文化協會（Chinese Culture Connection, Inc.）由摩頓市政府支持，1月18日下午在摩頓市高中慶祝蛇年新春，揭曉蛇年郵票，逾千人共聚一堂，在廟會形式的現場中遊逛攤位，品嘗美食，欣賞節目，享受年節味道。

華夏文協會長洪梅(左起)請摩頓市長Gary Christenson，華夏文協董事長林遊嵐，
以及USPS 麻州地區經理Cindy Skelton 依且揭曉蛇年郵票。

摩頓市在麻州是個小城市，2023年總人口約僅6萬5千餘，其中亞裔在2022年時，已高佔27%，約16,923人，華裔則是2010年時已佔市內人口的11.1%。

1985年由王啟華在麻州瑞汀鎮 (Reading)創辦，1999年由接手會長大任的洪梅遷至摩頓市的華夏文化協會，在洪梅悉心經營，和2012年當選摩頓市市長迄今的Gary Christenson建立非常好關係之中，華夏文協已成為摩頓市每年農曆新春慶祝會當仁不讓的主辦單位。

華夏文協現由董事長林遊嵐(左)、會長洪梅掌舵。

今年慶祝蛇年，經驗豐富的華夏文協全面升級廟會部分的春節慶祝，不但安排有捏面人、剪紙、福字拓印和漆扇製作等歷來備受歡迎的傳統手工藝展示，還特別新增小吃區，為觀眾帶來糖葫蘆、煎餅、壽司、奶茶和包子等許多小吃、美食。

表演節目更是在祥獅獻瑞的開場後精采紛陳，中西交融，不但有中國傳統戲曲中的越劇、京劇演唱，二胡、揚琴演奏，各社團的民俗舞蹈演出，也有西方的鋼琴、小提琴二重奏，趙寶玲演唱意大利詠嘆調等的琳瑯滿目。

華林太極功夫學校的舞獅拉開新春慶祝會序幕。

                           摩頓市和麻州其他地區慶祝春節活動時最大的不同是，在慶祝會中舉行生肖年郵票揭幕儀式。華夏文協今年邀請美國郵政署（USPS）麻州地區經理Cindy Skelton到場，介紹美國郵政署發行農曆新年郵票的歷史與設計郵票過程,，並和摩頓市長Gary Christenson)、華夏文協董事長林遊嵐，一起揭曉蛇年生肖郵票。

趙寶玲獻唱義大利詠嘆調。

                     華夏文協主任洪梅表示，新春慶祝會能辦得成功，全靠許多支持者的共同努力。該會目前每月舉辦「東風遇見西方」，二月份的題目是「新春漢服講座「。它將在2月15日在布魯克林村圖書館舉辦(Brookline Village Library)。協會(781-321-6316) 或www.ChineseCultureConnection.org。

(所有圖片由華夏文協提供)

旗袍團扇舞。

舞蹈表演。

二胡演奏。

演唱京劇。

小朋友也表演節目。

摩頓市青少年主持節目。

小朋友擊鼓。

合唱團表演。

粉墨登場的一段戲曲表演。

布魯克蘭鎮老人中心慶新春 中華耆英會12表演節目豐

表演者和梅麗梨主任(右五)等人合影。(中華耆英會提供，伍智豐攝)

               (Boston Orange) 布魯克蘭鎮老人中心1月13日由中華耆英會協助，慶祝農曆新春，近百人歡聚一堂，寒暄敘舊，欣賞表演，開心一下午。

              這場慶祝會由文麗青統籌，樂趙令瑜和顧韻主持。布魯克蘭鎮老人中心經理Jamie Jensen和中華耆英會白禮頓樓主任梅麗梨一一致歡迎詞，胡清白鶴派的胡衛正和率團是舞獅開場，所有嘉賓合影後，表演活動才拉開序幕。

              這天主辦單位共安排了12

李衛國大提琴演奏「赤子之心」。(伍智豐攝)

個節目，中華耆英會歌唱組先高歌一曲「美麗的美國」，陳萍、楊澤瑞演出藏族舞蹈「吉祥」，以及「南水湖之戀」，張芳麗率隊跳「一剪梅」，李衛國大提琴演奏「赤子之心」，薛國中演唱「勝利雙手創」，伍月滿、宋珠愛、鄺淑儀跳扇子舞「桃花渡」，樂趙令瑜率隊跳「今夜無眠」，薛曼玲演唱「甜言蜜語」，李紅演唱「茉莉花」，樂趙令瑜跳「夜上海」，最後由薛國中、李衛國合奏，樂趙令瑜領唱，中華耆英會歌唱組邀所有來賓齊唱「新年好」，為新年慶祝會的表演畫下句點。

             

舞蹈表演。。(伍智豐攝)

慶祝會的另一重點是抽獎，抽中獎的人，驚喜，歡呼，沒抽到獎的人也拍手，祝賀，會場中一片笑鬧聲，很有春節氣氛。

              布魯克蘭鎮老人中心的這場新春慶祝會，表演者全是中華耆英會自己的會員們，只見唱歌、舞蹈、樂器演奏，表演者一絲不苟，服裝、動作都很到位，透露著社區中越來越人才濟濟的趨勢。

舞蹈表演的服裝都很講究。(伍智豐攝)

胡清白鶴派瑞獅獻舞，西洋老太太們越看越高興。 (伍智豐攝)

麻州 2026社區一站式成長補助款 3月26日前受理申請

(Boston Orange 麻州州長Maura Healey (左)、副州長Kim Driscoll在麻州市鎮會議。 (周菊子攝) 周菊子波士頓綜合報導) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey)和副 州長Kim Driscoll 在1月24日在麻州市鎮協會的「連結351」年度會議中宣佈，2026會計年度社區一站式發展 (Community One Stop for Growth)計畫，即起至3月26日受理申請。             由麻州經濟發展廳 (EOED)、麻州住宅及宜居社區廳，麻州發展等3各州政府機構監管、辦理的這「社區一站式發展」計畫，從2021年起開始實施，容許地方市鎮遞交一份申請表，同時申請12項州政府住宅及經濟發展項目補助，簡化了流程。 即日起至 3 月 26 日，市政當局和組織可參加作為選項的表達意向流程，在提交完整申請之前從經濟發展廳工作人員那裡獲得有關優先項目的指導。完整的申請書可以在5月5日至6月4日間繳交，秋季會宣佈得獎者。 今年，「社區一站式發展」，申請平台上將增加2項經濟發展計畫，一為空置店面計畫，一為「變革性發展倡議 (The Transformative Development Initiative，簡稱TDI)」 公平投資計畫。 空置店面計畫為地方市鎮提供最高5萬元，可退還的稅收減免，來鼓勵企業佔據空置店面。TDI公平投資計畫則提供2萬5千元到25萬元補助款，以重振門戶城市中變革性發展倡議區的商業空間。             從2021年這「社區一站式發展」計畫推出以來，麻州政府撥出將近1200筆，總額約5億6400萬元的補助款給284個社區，以確保公平分配資源給麻州所有地區。查詢更多資訊可上網www.mass.gov/onestop。 Governor Healey Announces Opening of 2026 Community One Stop for Growth Application Round Application Portal Offers Massachusetts Communities Streamlined Process to Apply for 12 Economic Development Grant Programs

BOSTON – Today, at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Annual Connect 351 Conference, Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of the fiscal year 2026 application for the Community One Stop for Growth, an application portal overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) that provides a streamlined process for municipalities and organizations to apply for 12 state economic development grant programs.  One Stop grant programs are administered by EOED, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the quasi-public agency MassDevelopment. Programs in the One Stop offer direct funding and support to housing and economic development projects related to community activation and placemaking, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, and infrastructure. "Each year, the Community One Stop for Growth invests millions of vital grant funds in projects that spur economic growth, boost housing production, add jobs and revitalize downtowns across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are excited to launch the application for the next round of the One Stop and look forward to working with cities and towns across the state to bring their economic development goals to life.”   “The One Stop is an essential economic and housing development tool for our state that supports the economic development goals of cities and towns while empowering them to pursue their vision for growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through this initiative, our administration will partner with communities to build vibrant downtowns and unlock economic potential in every region of Massachusetts.”  Municipalities and organizations wishing to apply for funding through the One Stop may begin by participating in an optional Expression of Interest process beginning today through March 26. During this time, applicants may receive guidance on priority projects from EOED staff before submitting a full application. Applicants may begin working on their applications now in the application portal; EOED will accept full application submission from May 5 through June 4, with awards announced in the fall. For more information and to learn how to apply, please visit www.mass.gov/onestop.  "From day one, the Healey-Driscoll administration has been committed to building an economy that works for everyone, in every region of Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The Community One Stop for Growth puts state grant funds behind transformative economic development projects that support our local and regional economies, and we’re thrilled to launch the 2026 application round.”    “The One Stop offers a streamlined process for communities, organizations, and developers to access a range of economic development grants and technical assistance across multiple agencies,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “MassDevelopment is proud to administer five of the programs within the One Stop, adding to the portal this year our high-impact Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Equity Investment Program for Gateway Cities.”  This year, the One Stop will add two existing state economic development programs to the application portal: the Vacant Storefront Program and the TDI Equity Investment Program. The Vacant Storefront Program, which is administered by EOED, offers municipalities access to up to $50,000 of refundable tax credits they can use to incentivize businesses to occupy vacant storefronts within the community’s downtown and commercial areas. The TDI Equity Investment Program, administered by MassDevelopment through its Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), provides grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 to breathe new life into commercial spaces in and around designated TDI Districts in Gateway Cities.  EOED’s Urban Agenda Program will not be offered through the One Stop this year but will be offered through a new online portal opening in Spring 2025. This change will allow for greater flexibility and benefits for prospective grantees. Also new this year, the Collaborative Workspaces Program will be paused for the FY2026 One Stop application round; applicants are encouraged to apply to the Underutilized Properties Program instead when applicable. A full list of programs offered through the One Stop is available online.   Since its launch in 2021, the One Stop resulted in nearly 1,200 awards totaling more than $564 million in grant funds to 284 communities, including $170 million to Gateway Cities and $133 million to rural and small towns. The One Stop also ensures the equitable distribution of resources across all regions of the state. Of the projects awarded to date, 30 percent are located in a rural or small town, 47 percent are located in a Housing Choice Community, 54 percent are located in an MBTA Community, and 32 percent are located in a Gateway City. Visit www.mass.gov/onestop for more information.