Amendment ID: S2856-112

Amendment 112

A Plan to Promote Vitality in the Downtowns of MA Cities and Towns

Messrs. Cronin and O'Connor move that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:-

SECTION XX. (a) For the creation and implementation of the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Plus (MDI+) Program. Subject to appropriation, not less than $1,500,000 per year, for a minimum of 5 years, shall be expended to advance downtown vitality. .………………………………………...$7,500,000.

(b) There shall be $150,000 in local matching per successful MDI+ recipient.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative housed in the Executive Office of Economic Development, will make awards to regions and sub-regions for matching grants to hire a downtown director and provide implementation money for downtown strategies throughout the region or sub-region. 

(d) the program will create regional public private partnerships to fund a downtown director to work with multiple communities on improvements to central business districts through a designated region.