MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BAKER'S REVERSAL ON WOMEN'S HEALTH FUNDING

MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC PARTY STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BAKER'S REVERSAL ON WOMEN'S HEALTH FUNDING

BOSTON - The Massachusetts Democratic Party released the following statement in response to Governor Baker's pledge to support state funding for Planned Parenthood if the organization sees its federal funding slashed:

“Just because the Governor finally took a stand in support of women's health in Massachusetts doesn't excuse the fact that he already cut over $180,000 from family planning services in December," said Emily Fitzmaurice, Director of Communications. 

“Tomorrow, residents from all over the state will meet on Boston Common to rally in support of Planned Parenthood and the vital healthcare they provide to women and men throughout Massachusetts," continued Fitzmaurice. "Clearly, the Governor reversed his stance today because his operatives know he cannot afford another 'Where's Charlie?' moment after he missed the historic Women's March in January. The grassroots activism we are seeing across the state is making a difference." 

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $11.8 Million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $11.8 Million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants

20 educational institutions receiving first-time awards for equipment upgrades, expanded career and skill-building programs

LOWELL – The Baker-Polito Administration today awarded $11.8 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 32 vocational schools, community colleges, and traditional public high schools, which will use the funds to purchase vocational technical equipment and expand skills training programs for careers in growing industries. Twenty institutions are first-time recipients of the Workforce Skills Capital Grants.

“These investments have a major impact for the educational institutions training our workforce and the students who stand to benefit from enhanced skills and career paths,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Strengthening relationships between educational institutions and local industry as this program seeks to do is crucial to the success of our communities and Commonwealth as a whole.”

The Workforce Skills Capital Grants program was created by the Baker-Polito Administration last year to assist educational institutions in demonstrating partnerships with industry and aligning curriculum and credentials with local businesses’ demand, maximizing planning objectives and hiring or internship opportunities regionally.

“We are pleased these investments are already benefitting students and adult learners across our Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The training students receive on the most up-to-date equipment purchased with these grants makes all the difference to them when they go into the workplace.” 

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $24 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 63 different institutions, improving programs that impact more than 7,100 students per year. The economic development bill signed by Governor Baker last year includes $45 million for the awards over the next three years to increase the capacity and quality of vocational educational programs.

Governor Baker today visited Greater Lowell Technical High School to announce the latest round of grant awardees. Greater Lowell Technical received $466,000 to create an Agile Digital Fabrication/Maker Space where high school and adult education students will engage in technological experimentation, hardware development, and idea prototyping.

The Governor was joined by the Workforce Skills Cabinet he established shortly after taking office, consisting of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II, Education Secretary James Peyser, and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. The Cabinet, which seeks to align education, workforce and economic development strategies and improve job opportunities, worked to establish the Workforce Skills Capital Grant Program.

“In the Workforce Skills Cabinet, we are focused on making sure residents have access to education and training that aligns with industry demand so all Massachusetts residents have an opportunity to be successful,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II. “These grants enable educational institutions to partner with local businesses to give their students a jump-start on careers.”

“The goal of these grants is to update capital equipment, expand capacity, and launch new programs at educational institutions in order to create high-quality career pathways for more people across the Commonwealth,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “These grants give students and adult learners more opportunities to be successful through training, education and experience in fields that are growing and in-demand.”

“The best way to support our local and regional economies, and to grow our companies, is to foster a workforce that is ready for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “These grants will help us to continue training the nation’s most competitive workforce, by training students on industry-standard equipment and processes, and creating new employment opportunities for students and adult learners throughout the Commonwealth.”

Workforce Skills Capital Grant Awardees:

Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District: $500,000 - The school will upgrade equipment used in 12 programs, including health services, manufacturing, and multi-media communications.

Brockton High School: $495,674 – The school will purchase equipment for computer aided design, 3-D printing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Bunker Hill Community College: $386,540 - The College will create a new laboratory dedicated solely to engineering.  The new laboratory will make it possible to expand the program’s academic offerings, including the Engineering Transfer Option Associates degree program. 

Cape Cod Community College: $350,059 – Cape Cod Community College will expand the Nursing and Allied Health Learning Center in partnership with Cape Cod Health Care, including $1.15 million in a private match funding.

Center for Manufacturing Technology: $167,296 - The Center for Manufacturing Technology will purchase a new milling machine and add upgrades to existing equipment.  The new machinery will provide capacity to increase enrollment and will ensure students gain experience with state-of-the-art equipment during training.

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School: $492,519 - The school will expand a “green” lab instructional space. This lab space will contain a variety of “energy” centers that allow students to manipulate interior and exterior climate environments, and these relationships, to a variety of building materials, surfaces and outdoor environments.

Essex Technical High School: $244,219 - The school will provide capacity to expand enrollments in the EMT/CPR day and evening programs.  The equipment will support students to obtain industry recognized certifications that prepare them for jobs as nursing assistants, dental assistants, as well as post-secondary educational opportunities.

Franklin County Technical School: $55,000 - The school will upgrade its welding program to industry standard by purchasing digitalized readout and gauges, safety technologies, and instructional equipment.  The funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the schools’ member towns.

Gloucester High School: $499,634 – Gloucester High School will revamp its machine technology program by updating equipment to industry standards. The equipment will also be integrated into computer science, CAD, robotics, and engineering classes.

Greater Lowell Technical High School: $466,000 – The school will create an Agile Digital Fabrication/Maker Space where high school and adult education students will engage in technological experimentation, hardware development, and idea prototyping. This space will provide high production, finish level, and product design 3D printing capability.

Greenfield Community College: $496,113 – The college will upgrade its Manufacturing and Engineering Science, Engineering Technology, and Computer Science and Networking programs. New equipment will be purchased for the advanced manufacturing computer lab, acoustic engineering lab, as well as a coordinate measuring machine, electrical controls, materials testing, and CNC simulation and 3D printing equipment.

Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative: $410,230 - The educational collaborative will  integrate the Graphics and Visual Design programs, allowing students to explore and understand the entire industry continuum from design to press and online production.

Lynn Vocational Technical Institute: $333,293 – The school will modernize its current Advanced Manufacturing-Machine Technology program, as well as create a new Information Technology program. These new high-level skills training programs will be offered to high schools students and adult learners. Additionally, the programs will serve as a resource to introduce younger students in middle school to career pathways.

MassBay Community College: $318,547 – Mass Bay Community College will purchase equipment to train students in engineering, advanced manufacturing, nursing, emergency medical services, and automotive technology career fields. Students in these programs represent not only traditional college-aged students, but are also unemployed and underemployed adult workers, career-changers, and others seeking new skill sets.

Massasoit Community College: $500,000 - The College will purchase equipment for an updated engineering lab that supports four engineering degree options: chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical program tracks.

McCann Technical School: $131,976- The school will upgrade equipment for the carpentry, electrical, and machine programs.  The equipment will support students to prepare to take the MACWIC Level I certification examinations.

Medford Technical High School: $500,000 – The school will expand the existing Culinary Arts, Engineering, Robotics, and Metal Fabrication programs and add a Hospitality program. As part of this expansion, the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program will double the size of its space and add a full-service dining room, executive conference center, café, and commercial kitchen.

Middlesex Community College: $489,750 – The College will increase capacity and improve equipment in computer science, engineering, and engineering tech/CAD programs. Students prepare for Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) exams, and graduates may transfer to bachelor degree programs.

Minuteman High School: $500,000 – The high school will increase machining and ancillary training simulator capacity used to teach Advanced Manufacturing.  The new equipment will support student instruction in bio-manufacturing, digital fabrication, precision measurement, and quality control.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School: $435,857 – The school will build upon its existing machine technology program capacity by adding two certificates, outfit a quality control lab, and offer evening courses. The equipment will support the school in becoming one of the first NC3 Manufacturing Certification Centers in Massachusetts.

Mount Wachusett Community College: $340,781 – The College will purchase equipment needed for a simulated veterinary technician training laboratory. Students will benefit from simulator-based instruction, and the discipline of a sterile classroom environment focused on animal anatomy and physiology prior to interacting with live animals during their clinical and internship rotations.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School: $500,000 – The school will create an innovative training environment with a specific focus on collaborative robots (collabots) for students in the Robotics & Automation program.  Equipment will also serve as an instructional resource for students in the Engineering, Biotechnology, and Manufacturing programs.  New equipment will provide capacity for students to become certified in the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council production technician program as well as Fanuc’s collaborative robot system.

North Shore Community College: $111,455 - The College will purchase equipment to create a health care technical education program, including a universal health lab at the Lynn campus. The lab will be used for various degree, and workforce training health care certification programs, such as Certified Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide, Dental Assistant, EKG Technician, and Phlebotomy.

Northern Essex Community College: $500,000 – The College will launch a new Advanced Manufacturing program in Mechatronics and a new Culinary Arts program.  NECC has developed a partnership with Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School in manufacturing and with Endicott College to offer a hospitality and culinary arts career pathway. 

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School District: $362,860 - The school district will upgrade both the Machine & Tool Technology and House & Mill Carpentry programs.  The equipment includes both in classroom and portable equipment for use on remote job sites. 

Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School: $235,000 - The school will purchase new equipment for the Machine Technology program, and will offer a new evening training program to provide instruction to the unemployed and underemployed individuals in three countries. The evening classes will prepare students to take the MACWIC Level 1 certification exam.

Plymouth Public Schools: $52,844 – The school district will purchase medical assisting and health assisting instructional equipment including a 'Nursing Anne' patient simulator.  With the equipment, the school will be able to provide instruction to award eight types of industry credentials.

Quincy Public Schools: $74,712 - The school district will establish a new Information Technology Program.  New equipment will help train students for entry-level computer repair, technical and help desk support, and network associate careers.  Students will be prepared to pass the CompTia A+ Certification Edam, OSHA General Safety, and CISCO CCENT industry certification exams. 

The Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational Technical: $500,000 - The school is conducting a major modernization of its Machine Technology program.  The equipment includes 3D printers, and vertical machining centers each equipped with simulators. 

South Regional Technical School District-Keefe Technical High School: $397,150 - Keefe Regional Technical School will roll out a new Dental Assisting Program, purchasing dental chairs, panoramic X-ray technology, including development capability, Sterilizers and autoclaves.

Whitter Regional Vocational Technical High School: $500,000 -  The school will transform its current Machine and Tool program into an Advanced Manufacturing program to better support regional workforce needs. The school is partnering with Northern Essex Community College, and with the Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, for evening adult programs.

Housing advocates drop banners across Boston to set the stage for landmark City Council hearing

Housing advocates drop banners across Boston to set the stage for landmark City Council hearing

Boston residents to flood City Hall hearing demanding passage of eviction protections

  
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Friday, March 3rd, 2017: From the JP/Rox redevelopment zone to the Allston/Brighton neighborhood, housing justice advocates dropped large-scale banners Friday morning, a few days in advance of Boston City Council’s hearing on the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act. Banners unfurled from windows and rooftops, and some were displayed at street-level to passing traffic. “Stop Displacement: Pass the Jim Brooks Act” and “Don’t Displace Boston Residents” were a few of the banners’ statements. Banners were displayed on Storrow Drive, Morrissey Boulevard, Brookside Avenue, and other sites across Boston.

  
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The banner-drops concluded a week of intense debate and fierce battle over affordable housing in Boston's quickly-gentrifying neighborhoods. At the Monday, March 6th City Council hearing on the Jim Brooks Act (formerly known as the “Just Cause” ordinance), homeowners, tenants, and community activists are expected to flood the City Council Chamber to demand the Act’s passage. The Act, named in honor of the late housing justice and disability rights organizer Jim Brooks, is an emergency protection bill sponsored by Mayor Marty Walsh.

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The Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act is intended to protect residential tenants against arbitrary, unreasonable, and retaliatory evictions, and to ensure tenants are aware of their legal rights and the available resources to help preserve their tenancies.  

Darnell Johnson, Coordinator of the Right to Remain Coalition including over 40 local community-based organizations, said, "In a city with 67% renters, high foreign interest and outrageous speculation, Bostonians are taking back their city and City Council must act."

A final banner-display is scheduled for Friday afternoon, March 3rd, at the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Hancock Street in Dorchester from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.

WHO is the Right to Remain Coalition?

Right 2 Remain Coalition and partners: anchored by Right to the City Boston in partnership with Boston Tenant Coalition: ABDC, Action for Regional Equity, Allston Brighton CDC, Alternative for Community and Environment, Asian American Resource Workshop, Asian Community Development Corp, Black Economic Justice Institute, Boston Homeless Solidarity Coalition, Boston Jobs Coalition, Boston Workers Alliance, Brazilian Worker Center, Castle Square Tenants Organization, Chelsea Collaborative, Chinese Progressive Association, Chinatown Resident Association, City Life, Codman Square NDC, Community Labor United, Dominican Development Center, Dorchester Bay EDC, Dorchester People for Peace, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, 100% Egleston, Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston, Fairmount Indigo Line CDC Collaborative, Fenway Community Development Corp., Greater Boston Labor Council, Greater Bowdoin/Geneva Neighborhood Association, Greater Four Corners Action, Homes for Families, JP Neighborhood Council, JP Neighborhood Development Corp, Jamaica Plain Progressives, Jobs with Justice, MA CDC, Mass Vote, Matahari, Mattapan United, Neighbors United for a Better East Boston, New England United for Justice, Progressive Communicators Network, Progressive Mass, Reclaim Roxbury, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, SEIU 32BJ (District 615), Union of Minority Neighborhoods (from Right to Remain Coalition)

WHY the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act?

On Monday March 6, the Boston City Council will hear testimony on the Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act: An Emergency Protection Bill sponsored by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. Now, renters in privately owned housing can be evicted for no reason when their lease expires, or any time if they have no lease. Under this new law, large landlords and banks would have to give a legitimate reason for eviction. The law would let the City track eviction notices and provide tenants with information and resources to stay in their homes.

Displacement in Boston is widespread -- from Chinatown to Dorchester, East Boston to Roxbury, and Mattapan to Jamaica Plain. Corporate, non-resident and speculator landlords are purchasing homes in these communities, evicting current residents and raising rents to attract wealthier tenants. Cuts in government spending for housing has added pressure to the private rental market. The Boston Housing Authority has a waitlist of 40,000 households for 15,000 units while budget cuts eliminated 1,500 rental subsidies last year.

"The city is in crisis,” stated Kathy Brown, coordinator of the Boston Tenants Coalition, “Currently 35,000 renters have housing costs exceeding 50% of their household income. Almost all, 92%, of these rent-burdened households are very low-income. The crisis is especially severe in immigrant neighborhoods and communities of color.”

Profit-driven development has taken place without regard to those who currently call Boston home. For example, in East Boston, the Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved over 1,000 units of luxury development. The resulting pressures cause rent increases at an average of 30 percent per year. At this rate, only one in 10 current residents in East Boston, the majority of whom are Latino, will be able to stay in this largely Latino immigrant neighborhood.

“As the crisis deepens for renters, low-income homeowners and homeless families, we’re beginning to see the resurgence of a mass movement of renters standing up to say enough is enough,” says Rachel LaForest of the Right To The City Alliance. “At every level of government, from local city councils to the president, the ability of renters and working families to thrive needs to be a central economic justice issue of our time.”  

According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 1 in 2 renters now pay more than 30% of their income on rent and 1 in 4 pay more than 50%.  

While renters of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds are being impacted at historic levels by this crisis, communities of color, women and families with children are being displaced and targeted at disproportionate levels. One in five Black women report being evicted at some time in their life, compared to 1 in 15 white women and 1 in 14 renters overall, according to Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted. Further according the report “Evicting Children” published by Harvard University, nationally the “probability of a household with children to receive an eviction judgment is about .17 higher” than those without children.”

Exposing the escalating rate of evictions and displacement happening in Boston’s poor and working-class neighborhoods, thousands of residents and community leaders from across the city took part in Right to Remain actions all year long to bring this to the attention of Boston City Council.

The Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act Hearing follows a series of 3 prior hearings - 1) Corporate Landlords and Displacement, and introduction of JCE in Oct 2014, 2.) part 1 April 2015 and 3) part 2 March 2016 both of which were sponsored by Councilor Jackson and presided over by Councilor Baker (as head of the housing committee) then by Councilor Baker with Zakim presiding (new housing chair). Part I examined displacement associated with increasing corporate landlord ownership and luxury development in Boston. The Council had opportunity to explore and understand how the housing crisis has developed from one of foreclosure & blight, to one of rental speculation & gentrification. The focus was on testimony by community members directly affected by displacement as the best experts on the problem.  This hearing featured the example of a particularly egregious corporate landlord, City Reality, who has profited off the foreclosure crisis and was causing widespread displacement.  Part II progressed to examine community-generated solutions to the problem of displacement, and the response of the City to both the problems presented in Part I and the solutions presented in Part II. Grounded in the lived experiences of directly-affected residents, the people of Boston demanded that the City shift focus to concrete proposals on stopping displacement. Advocates presented, City officials testified, and a representative of the real estate industry spoke. Part III focused specifically on Just Cause Eviction and was space for both sides to present to the Council reasons for this bill.   

After a year of lobbying efforts and community meeting and assemblies, late in December 2016 Mayor Walsh stepped up and out as sole and lead sponsor filing a re-tooled and  renamed JCE "Petition for a Special Law Re: The Jim Brooks Community Stabilization Act."

In Jan 2017 Mayor Walsh was required to refile the bill due to inactivity with City Council. Advocates pushed the council and March 6, 2017 Boston City Council will finally hold a hearing on the bill presided over by Councilor Flaherty (as head of the government operations committee).

AG HEALEY REMINDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT LAWS REQUIRING EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS

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AG HEALEY REMINDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT LAWS REQUIRING EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS

AG HEALEY REMINDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT LAWS REQUIRING EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS

AG Issues Advisory to Local School Districts that will be Distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today issued an advisory reminding local public school districts of their obligation under state and federal law to provide all students with equal access to primary and secondary education, irrespective of citizenship or immigration status.

            The advisory has been posted on the AG’s website and will be distributed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to school officials this week.

“In Massachusetts and across this country, we open our schools to all children because that is how we build a productive, educated, and safe society,” said AG Healey. “In light of the current climate around matters of immigration, parents should not be afraid to send their children to school. I am glad to partner with our local schools to ensure that all children receive an education free from discrimination.”

“I am proud of our educators’ commitment to providing all students with a safe learning environment. Educating and supporting all students strengthens our communities and our Commonwealth as a whole,” said Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester. “I am happy to work with the Attorney General to share this guidance.”

Under state and federal law, state educational agencies and local school districts must provide all elementary and secondary students with equal access to public education—irrespective of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or immigration status. Those laws include the Massachusetts Student Anti-Discrimination Act, the Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law, and Title IV and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Enrollment practices that single out students based on their actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status (or that of their parents or guardians) violate state and federal law. Equal access to public education means not only the right to enroll in school, but also the right to an education free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.         

In addition to the various applicable state and federal laws, in the case Plyler v. Doe, the U.S. Supreme Court held that public elementary and secondary schools may not deny any child residing in the applicable jurisdiction access to public education—whether the child is present in the country legally or not. This case made clear that a child’s immigration or citizenship status is not relevant to the child’s right to a public education. 

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg Announces Latest Release of Unclaimed Property Listings

Treasurer Deborah Goldberg Announces Latest Release of Unclaimed Property Listings

Over 55,000 New Properties are Owed to Individuals and Businesses

BOSTON - Massachusetts State Treasurer Deb Goldberg today announced the latest grouping of names that have been added to the state’s list of unclaimed property owners. Over 55,000 new properties worth millions of dollars are owed to individuals and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

"Give us a call today,” said Treasurer Deb Goldberg. “We currently hold over $2 billion in unclaimed property at Treasury and it could be yours. One in ten Massachusetts residents are owed money.”

Unclaimed property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and the contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered abandoned and are turned over to the state after three years of inactivity. Last year Treasury returned over $114 million in property to its rightful owners, making the Commonwealth the state to return the most money on a per-capita basis.

This newly released list includes only individuals and businesses with unclaimed property over $100. Treasurer Goldberg urged all citizens to check the comprehensive list for all amounts at www.findmassmoney.com or to call our live call center at 888-344-MASS (6277).

The full list of the new individuals and businesses added to the unclaimed property list will be published in the Boston Globe on Sunday, March 5 and in the Boston Herald on Sunday, March 12. In addition to these two papers the list of names will be published in over 30 regional and local papers.

The Treasury releases an updated list of unclaimed property assets every six months as the new accounts are turned over to the Commonwealth. There is no time limit for a person to claim this property and, in many cases, claimants will receive interest.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES HIRING OF ARTIST RESOURCE MANAGER TO SERVE AS CITY LIAISON TO LOCAL ARTISTS

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES HIRING OF ARTIST RESOURCE MANAGER TO SERVE AS CITY LIAISON TO LOCAL ARTISTS

BOSTON - Thursday, March 2, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the hiring of Julia Ryan as the Artist Resource Manager in the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture. The position, included as one of the action items in Boston Creates, is newly created and will act as a single point of entry to City Hall for creative people and businesses looking to find information about a wide range of issues, from permitting and licensing processes to affordable housing, and financial literacy to small business support. "I am thrilled that we are opening up an important channel of communication between local artists and their city government by creating an Artist Resource Manager," said Mayor Walsh. "Responding to the needs of artists is a crucial part of the cultural plan, and I am confident that Julia will do an exceptional job in serving as a liaison to our creative community." The Artist Resource Manager position was first proposed during one of the Mayor's many conversations with members of the artist community, and envisioned during the cultural planning process as a liaison specifically for artists, modeled after the coordinators in the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services. The City heard from the community that artists have some specialized needs and would be best served by someone who understands artists and arts organizations, as well as City systems. In 2015, Mayor Walsh launched Boston Creates, a cultural planning process designed to create a long-term plan for arts and culture. When the plan was unveiled in 2016, it detailed five goals designed to create a cultural shift in the city: building a sustainable arts ecosystem, supporting Boston artists, promoting cultural equity, integrating arts and culture into all aspects of civic life and engaging both likely and unlikely partners, uniting them in the goal of ensuring Boston becomes a leading city for the arts. "I am so excited to have Julia join our team," said Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. "She has many years of experience of working directly with artists and we know that she will bring that experience to bear as she enters this new role at City Hall." The goal of this position is to help creative people find the resources and assistance they need to do creative projects. Not only will Julia help artists and arts navigate City Hall, she will also serve as an aggregator of information and resources, focused on artists and creative practice. Ms. Ryan will be located at the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture in Rm. 802 at City Hall and can be reached at 617-635-ARTS (2787). Julia formerly served as an Arts in Education Council Consultant at Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, where she worked to advance developmental goals for the school's arts department initiatives. Prior to that, Julia worked as an Education and Development Coordinator at the Urbano Project and a volunteer curator at Unbound Visual Artists. She graduated with a Master of Education degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and lives in Jamaica Plain. Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture's mission is to support artists, the cultural sector, and to promote access to the arts for all. The office houses the Boston Cultural Council, the Boston Art Commission, and the Poet Laureate program. Responsibilities include implementing the City's cultural plan, Boston Creates; managing the Boston Artist-in-Residence program; curating exhibitions in City Hall; and operating the historic Strand Theater in Dorchester. For more information, look here.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF BUSINESS CAPITAL AND FINANCE UNIT

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF BUSINESS CAPITAL AND FINANCE UNIT Refocused small business lending will increase economic mobility and prioritize historically underserved neighborhoods and demographics

BOSTON - Thursday, March 2, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced yesterday the formation of the Business Capital and Finance Unit in his speech at the Boston Municipal Research Bureau's annual meeting. Housed within the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, the Business Capital and Finance Unit will prioritize small business lending in historically underserved neighborhoods and demographics to support job creation in low-to-moderate income households and the revitalization of neighborhood commercial districts. "Supporting Boston's small business economy is one of my administration's top priorities, and I am proud to add a financial tool to our small business resource toolkit," Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "By repurposing our small business loans to target strategic industries and neighborhoods, we will ensure that struggling small businesses and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to benefit, grow, and thrive in areas where we see the greatest economic development potential." Led by John FitzGerald, the Business Capital and Finance Unit will utilize the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to distribute flexible gap financing and micro loans to restaurants, immigrant-owned businesses, women and minority-owned businesses, and industrial small businesses within the City of Boston. These flexible loans will assist businesses in rehabbing existing buildings, new construction and expansion, purchasing equipment, and startup costs. "With Mayor Walsh's leadership we were able to reexamine and refocus our current lending strategy to support the growing sectors of business that have the potential to create jobs and revitalize neighborhoods in the most need," said John FitzGerald. "By providing a flexible financing option, we will be able to support more small businesses and entrepreneurs and promote economic mobility across the City of Boston." Released in March 2016, the city's first-ever Small Business Plan identified approximately 400 capital providers in or serving Boston. However, the lack of availability and access to capital resources was found to be a prominent gap in Boston's small business ecosystem. To provide solutions to traditional lending challenges and introduce innovative capital resources, this new, flexible product from the City of Boston builds off of successful ongoing progress to connect small businesses and provide guidance on Boston's 250 business support organizations. About the Mayor's Office of Economic Development The Economic Development Cabinet's mission is to make Boston an appealing and accessible place for working families, entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors to innovate, grow, and thrive in a way that fosters inclusion, broadens opportunity, and shares prosperity, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all Bostonians and the experience for all visitors. Learn more on their website.