Governor Healey Promotes Culvert Upgrades, Rural Roads and Bridges Funding in Berkshires
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星期三, 3月 19, 2025
Governor Healey Promotes Culvert Upgrades, Rural Roads and Bridges Funding in Berkshires
麻州首屆"桂冠詩人"即起接受申請
Governor Healey, Mass Cultural Council Open Applications for Massachusetts’ First Poet Laureate
麻州府慶祝農業日撥款570萬元支持農地保育
Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates Massachusetts Agriculture Day with $5.7 Million in Funding to Support Farmland Preservation MDAR Announces New Class of Agricultural Youth Council to represent next generation of agricultural leaders in Massachusetts and declares 2025 as the “Year of Youth” in Agriculture MDAR Commissioner Randle poses with students from the Massachusetts chapters of the 4-H and FFA program BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey declared March 18, 2025, Massachusetts Agriculture Day, a celebration of the hardworking farmers, growers, and agricultural groups who are vital to the state. The annual event, held at the State House, showcases the agricultural community’s contributions and crucial role in supplying food and other products while protecting farmland and maintaining our natural resources.In recognition of this day, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $5 million in funding that will permanently protect nearly 400 acres of farmland across eight farms through the state’s innovative Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program. Additionally, over $500,000 will help existing Massachusetts APR farmers restore land that was previously unsuitable for farming.
“We stand with our incredible farmers every day, and today we are proudly celebrating their hard work and resilience. Through every challenge they face, these farmers cultivate the crops that feed our families and strengthen our communities. Their dedication ensures that fresh, local food reaches every table,” said Governor Maura Healey. “At a time of immense uncertainty at the federal level, Massachusetts is fully committed to delivering the support, programs and resources that empower our farmers to grow, expand and succeed.”
“With over 7,000 farms across Massachusetts, our agricultural sector is an economic powerhouse in our rural economy and beyond,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We know how important it is to protect our farmland, and we are proud to offer our support through these grant programs. They’ll equip our farms with what they need to succeed and turn unused land into productive fields.”
Massachusetts Agriculture Day celebrates the diversity of the state’s agricultural industry. The event brings farmers, commodity groups, and other food system stakeholders from all over the state, giving legislators, and officials the chance to taste locally produced foods and learn about the important issues of farmers are facing.
“Massachusetts farmers are some of the strongest and most resilient people I’ve met,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Between extreme weather, high costs, and now a tariff war, our farmers deserve our support more than ever. Our programs are designed to keep existing farms strong and revive unused land for farming. This means better food security and a healthier environment for everyone in Massachusetts.”
Agriculture Youth Council Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner Ashley Randle also announced the newest members of the Massachusetts Agricultural Youth Council. Now in its second year, the Council’s mission is to cultivate and foster the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry in Massachusetts.
MDAR selected 15 high school students to serve on the Council. The group will meet monthly to discuss agricultural issues, hear from guest speakers from the agricultural industry, learn about the legislative process and workforce development opportunities, attend special events and tours, and enhance their professional skills. The next class of the Agricultural Youth Council members are:
Commissioner Randle also declared 2025 as the Year of Youth in Agriculture, emphasizing the importance of involving young people in farming as the current farming population ages. The declaration will provide opportunities to spotlight and elevate young adult voices in agriculture by leveraging resources, including events and partnerships with organizations like 4-H and FFA to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
“Youth engagement in agriculture has been one of our top priorities at MDAR so I’m delighted to welcome in a new class of leaders who will help shape the future of agriculture and especially want to thank our inaugural class for their contributions and involvement over the past year,” said MDAR Commissioner Ashley Randle. “While there are always challenges in farming and agriculture, I’m optimistic that our future looks bright with the amount of interest we’ve seen in our students who share the same values we all have in making sure we continue to grow and nurture a rich and diverse industry. Through our farmland protection programs, we’ll make sure that when the next generation of farmers take their place in shaping the agricultural landscape, they will have access to farmland here in Massachusetts so they can make their mark.”
Funding for Farmland Protection Established in 1977 as the first-of-its-kind farmland protection program in the country, the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program is a voluntary program that enables farmers to access the financial value of their land without needing to sell it. Administered through MDAR’s Division of Agricultural Conservation and Technical Assistance, MDAR is able to pay farmers the difference between the “fair market value” and the “agricultural value” of their farms in exchange for a permanent deed restriction to retain the land for farming and preserve it solely for agricultural use for future generations. The APR program helps maintain affordable and accessible farmland for aspiring and experienced farmers. To date, the program has acquired 967 farm properties while protecting approximately 76,169 acres of farmland in Massachusetts.
“In Fiscal Year 2025, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Agricultural Land Easements Program – ACEP-ALE provided payments of $2,028,000 to Massachusetts for APR completed projects representing 50% of the appraisal value of the farmland,” said Massachusetts State Conservationist for NRCS Dan Wright. “The MDAR and NRCS partnership ensures that Massachusetts' farmland is preserved and conserved for generations to come. USDA is committed to preserving our agricultural lands for the future generations. ACEP ALE is a perfect opportunity to partner with NRCS on preserving these lands and the value they provide to the residents of Massachusetts.”
Through MDAR, the administration also awarded $573,817 to 19 farms through the Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on APRs (SARA) Program. The program provides funding to restore active commercial farming on land that is in the APR Program. Awards will be used to remove debris, improve drainage, clear rocks and invasive species, and repair farm roads to improve access.
“Our Commonwealth must continue to invest in farms and farmers who contribute to the state's economy, food security, and who keep our valuable farmland in use as farmland,” said State Senator Jo Comerford (D - Northampton). “Through the Stewardship Assistance and Restoration on Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program, farms in Northampton, Deerfield, Hadley, and Amherst will receive much-needed funding to restore active commercial farming on otherwise inhospitable land. I am grateful that the Healey-Driscoll Administration is investing in the expansion and success of the Commonwealth’s agricultural sector, and I will continue working with my colleagues in the legislature to prioritize this work.”
“I am deeply grateful to be in public service in a state that clearly values the agricultural sector and works collaboratively together to support it,” said State Representative Natalie M. Blais (D – Deerfield). “Together, we have provided financial support farmers in the face of natural disasters; increased funding for land protection and infrastructure programs; and provided the tools to help build the next generation of farmers that will protect the future of our local food system.”
The following are the completed APR projects for the 2024 calendar year:
The following are the SARA grant recipients for the 2025 fiscal year:
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Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism in Springfield
Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism in Springfield
Annual Conference Features Discussions on Upcoming
Massachusetts 250 and FIFA Events, Presentation of Awards to Industry Leaders
SPRINGFIELD – The 2025 Massachusetts Governor’s
Conference on Travel & Tourism officially kicked off today at the
MassMutual Center in Springfield. This annual event brings together industry
leaders, tourism professionals, and state officials to celebrate the success of
Massachusetts’s tourism industry and explore strategies for future
growth.
This year’s conference program includes a dynamic lineup of
breakout sessions covering key topics such as experiential marketing, AI tools
for tourism, international visitor engagement, strategies for leveraging major
global events, and an update on the state’s Massachusetts 250 initiative commemorating
Massachusetts’ role in the founding of the country.
"With the historic milestones of the country’s 250th
anniversary on the horizon, many of which took place in Massachusetts, this is
a critical time for tourism leaders across the state to come together with
energy and purpose,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “By
working together, we're creating experiences that make people want to keep
coming back to Massachusetts again and again.”
The conference also includes a Massachusetts Office of
Travel and Tourism Awards Ceremony recognizing individuals and organizations
for their outstanding contributions to the state’s tourism industry.
“To our esteemed awardees, congratulations on your
exceptional service to the state,” said Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor
Kim Driscoll. “Your contributions are vital as we collaborate and share
ideas to strengthen Massachusetts's position as a top destination and create
lasting connections through our stories and experiences.”
Award recipients include:
- Diane
Burnette will receive the Larry D. Meehan Lifetime Achievement
Award for her nearly 30 years of leadership at the Johnny Appleseed
Visitors Center, positioning North Central Massachusetts as a premier
destination.
- Don
Packer will receive the Film Industry Achievement Award for his
decades-long career in film editing and his role in establishing the
Massachusetts Production Coalition.
- Dr.
Robert Krim will be honored with the Award of Appreciation for
his work in documenting Massachusetts’ innovation history and creating the
Innovation Trail.
- Suzanne
Taylor will receive the Revolutionary Achievement Award for her
work with the Freedom Trail® Foundation, preserving and promoting Boston’s
revolutionary history.
“The success of this event is a testament to the
collaborative spirit of the Massachusetts tourism community, and we are
particularly grateful to the City of Springfield for their outstanding
hospitality,” said Kate Fox, executive director at the Massachusetts Office
of Travel and Tourism. “As we look ahead, we are committed to strengthening
our marketing efforts and fostering teamwork to ensure that the Massachusetts
story resonates with all, welcoming both visitors and residents to be a part of
our shared success.”
The conference will continue on Wednesday, March 19 with an
opening plenary focused on Massachusetts’ tourism performance and future
outlook. Kate Fox, along with leaders from TripAdvisor and Massport, will
present a comprehensive update on 2023–2024 travel data, highlighting the
state’s recovery and growth. Massachusetts welcomed more than 52 million
visitors in 2023, generating $23.6 billion in visitor spending and supporting
over 154,000 jobs statewide.
A key focus will be the success and growth of the "Made
Possible" campaign, which highlights Massachusetts' unique stories and
destinations. The campaign has boosted visitor engagement and inspired more
exploration across the state.
TD 銀行將在全美關38家,麻州關閉6家分行
(Boston Orange 編譯) 在麻州共有149間分行的TD 銀行,3月18日表示,將在全美關閉38間分行,其中16家在新英格蘭區,6家在麻州。
美國總部設新澤西州Cherry
Hill的TD 銀行,最近向美國貨幣監理署(US
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency)遞交了相關文件。
TD銀行發言人Thomas
Rigg表示,這6家預定於6月5日關閉的麻州TD銀行,分別座落在East
Longmeadow, Tewksbury, Holyoke, Framingham, Haverhill, and Methuen等市鎮。
在新罕布夏州
(NH),TD 銀行將關閉位於Bristol,
Wilton, Hampton和Hopkinton的4家分行。TD銀行還將在緬因州關閉4家銀行,在康州
(CT) 關閉2家分行。
Thomas Rigg說,該公司定期評估分行營運,並視顧客需要及生意機會調整分行佈局。
2024年9月,TD 銀行已經在麻州關閉了7家分行,其中包括在畢肯丘 (Beacon Hill)和郵政廣場
(Post Office Square)的這2家。
不過儘管TD銀行有這一連串的關閉銀行行動,TD銀行卻打算今年5月在Bubian廣場開張一家新分行。Thomas
Rigg說,這是為了帶動投資進低至中等收入社區。
TD銀行的這一系列關閉銀行,調整營運行動,源自金融界面對數位經濟發達,顧客已不需要更多實體銀行服務,以及2024年聯邦檢察官稱該公司的營運安全措施鬆懈,容許罪犯在數年間透過該行洗錢數億美元後,該行與司法部達成協議,須賠償30億美元。
時任美國司法部長的Merrick Garland當時表示,這是美國史上承認犯洗錢罪的最大銀行。
TD銀行是由2家成立於19世紀加拿大銀行,1855年創立的多倫多銀行和1869年創立的自治領地 (Dominion)銀行合併,1955年2月正式成立的Toronto-Dominion銀行,簡稱TD銀行。在美加兩國共有約2200分行,2005年進入麻州營運。