Legislation Invests in Workforce and Infrastructure Projects
BOSTON — Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) announced the passage of a sweeping $1 billion Economic Development Bill, calling for targeted investments in workforce training programs and job creation through ambitious public infrastructure projects.
“This legislation will provide critical supports and will strengthen our economy for the future,” said Senator Moore, “I am especially pleased that I was able to secure funding for many projects throughout the Second Worcester district.”
The bill authorizes millions of dollars in grants to workforce training programs and public infrastructure projects across Massachusetts, including:
- $5,000,000 for water and sewer infrastructure along State Highway Route 140 in the Town of Upton
- $525,000 for revitalization of the Upton Town Center
- $1,050,000 for a façade improvement program and improvements to the Pakachoag Municipal Golf Course and Brotherton Way in the Town of Auburn
- $200,000 for improvements to Goddard Park and Auburn Pond in the Town of Auburn
- $900,000 for implementing infrastructure improvements in the Town of Auburn and development strategies of the Drury Square Plan
- $650,000 for the Four Corners downtown revitalization project in the Town of Millbury
- $100,000 for the development of a water and sewer economic infrastructure feasibility study and master plan in the Town of Millbury
- $500,000 for the redevelopment of Bolack Plaza in the Town of Grafton
- $700,000 for the Westboro road-route 30 sewer extension project in the Town of Grafton
- $500,000 for the Fisherville Mill 40R Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvement Project in the Town of Grafton
- $500,000 for the urban renewal and redevelopment of the Northbridge downtown area
- $400,000 for the property redevelopment study in the Town of Northbridge
- $300,000 for improving sewer infrastructure along Route 20 in the Town of Shrewsbury
- $1,050,000 for repairs and improvements to the Main street gateway and improvements included in the Dean park master plan in the Town of Shrewsbury
- $1,000,000 for supporting the growth of the startup and small business ecosystem, including the operation of incubators, accelerators and other new ventures in the City of Worcester
- $1,000,000 for business development along Pleasant Street in the City of Worcester
- $500,000 for the fit-out of the ground floor of the Union Station garage for commercial use in the City of Worcester
- $1,000,000 for the Black Box Theater at the Worcester PopUp
- $1,000,000 for the business development in Webster Square in the City of Worcester
- $2,050,000 for renovations to the Fanning building in the City of Worcester
- $2,000,000 for the façade improvement program and streetscape improvements in neighborhood business districts in the City of Worcester
- $250,000 for the installation of lights at the baseball fields located in Aaron Krock Memorial Park in the City of Worcester
- $75 million in competitive grants for technical education and workforce training programs
- $250 million in bonds to the MassWorks Infrastructure Program that will support thousands of jobs rebuilding roads and bridges, restoring historic ports and completing community revitalization projects
- $500 million in local economic development aid
The technical education grants will provide funding for new lab equipment such as microscopes, robotics training kits and 3D printers in classrooms across the state, allowing for new programs in robotics and other high-tech vocational fields.
In addition to workforce development, the bill also invests in the state’s cultural economy, promoting the arts and tourism industries.
The compromise bill also establishes a two-day sales tax holiday this year, which will take place on Aug. 11 and 12 ahead of the back-to-school shopping season.
Legislators also made two major reforms to practices that have disadvantaged smaller entrepreneurs and employees.
First, it reforms the state’s non-compete laws, establishing conditions on the enforcement of noncompetition agreements to improve worker mobility and free employees to pursue their careers.
The bill also includes new protections for entrepreneurs by enforcing a ban on making bad faith assertions of patent infringement, a practice known as “patent trolling.” Such claims entangle new small businesses in costly lawsuits that hamper the companies’ productivity and sap their early funds.
Looking ahead to future economic developments and challenges, the House and Senate also proposed new measures on cybersecurity and autonomous vehicles.
In light of high-profile cyber incidents like last year’s Equifax breach, the bill authorizes $2.5 million in bonds to support the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Innovation Fund, investing in infrastructure needed to address threats and expand the employment pipeline.
The legislature also tasked the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative with conducting a study and issuing recommendations on how to advance the state’s competitiveness in the autonomous vehicle industry.
The newly-signed law may be viewed on the Legislature's website by clicking below.