PAST ACTION: ADVOCACY LETTER TO THE HEALEY-DRISCOLL ADMINISTRATION ON THE DOWNTOWN VITALITY FUND

Written By Kelsey Rode

Share:

Individuals in the center of the image, from left to right, are Interim Secretary of the Executive Office of Economic Development Ashley Stolba and Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Mass Cultural Council.

 

In November 2024, Gov. Healey signed the Mass Leads Act into law, authorizing $3.96 billion in capital programs and policy changes to support businesses, communities, and many sectors - including the creative sector. 


The Mass Leads Act included a $9.5 million capital spending line-item creating the Downtown Vitality Fund, modeled off of the Downtown Vitality Act, which was endorsed by many individuals and organizations within the creative sector as well as their cross-sector partners.

 
 

This Fund will serve cities and towns to support the vitality of downtowns and main streets and could be used for technical assistance to develop, sustain, or strengthen cultural districts, business districts, town centers, commercial corridors, or other walkable mixed-use areas. It can also be used for community planning and investment activities that stimulate economic development, expand entrepreneurship, create jobs in the downtown economy sector, and to construct, improve, repair, maintain and protect downtown assets. 


Now that the Downtown Vitality Fund exists, we have to advocate to make sure it’s funded.


Add your name to our letter to Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, and Acting Sec. Stolba urging the Healey-Driscoll Administration to include $500,000 for the Downtown Vitality Fund in their FY26 capital budget.


The deadline to sign on is Friday, June 13, 2025 at 5 PM.

 

  • Dear Gov. Healey, Lt. Gov. Driscoll, and Acting Secretary Stolba:

    On behalf of members of the creative sector in Massachusetts, we write to you today to thank you for last fall’s Mass Leads Act, which included a $9.5 million bond authorization for line item 7002-8075 establishing a grant program for cities and towns to support the vitality of downtowns and main streets. The concept of a “downtown vitality fund” is a critical one for supporting vibrant and prosperous small business areas that enhance the quality of life in our communities and keep jobs and consumption local.

    Now that the Downtown Vitality Fund has been established, we request that your administration include a modest $500,000 appropriation for line item 7002-8075 in your FY26 capital budget, with plans for $3 million per year for three years after that.

    This year’s allocation would be enough to start the program and provide grants to a cohort of communities seeking to establish district management tools such as cultural districts, business improvement districts, parking benefit districts, main street organizations, and other forms of cultural and economic partnerships. 

    Many communities are anxious to adopt these tools but lack the resources and technical assistance to organize stakeholders, design management strategies, and enact them. The state’s partnership will enable communities which most need this support, such as Gateway Cities and other low-income communities, to take the leap and raise matching local dollars that will sustain such efforts over the long term.

    Thank you for supporting arts, culture, and creativity in Massachusetts.

 
 
Resources
A Guide To Hearing And Giving Testimony

An important part of the governing process is public hearings. These occur on all levels of government (Federal, State, and Local). Understanding the hearing process and how you can participate will make you a more effective advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector.

INSIDE THE STATE BUDGETING PROCESS

Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.

NonProfit Organizations & Advocacy

There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.

6/19/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we took time to honor Juneteenth and Pride Month, and talked about the status of arts education funding and voting protections.

6/12/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we discussed mapping our roles in a social change ecosystem, talked about proposed legislation to address COVID-19 voting options, the 2020 Census, and reviewed federal and state supports for the creative sector.

6/5/20 - policy & action update webinars

In this webinar, we had a community conversation about mapping our social change roles during times of crisis.

News
Democracy without the Anxiety AND triggers: RICHELINE’S REFLECTION

Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.

MOAC CULTURAL INVESTMENT GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Last week, MOAC for the City of Boston announced that they are establishing a $10M multi-year Cultural Investment Grant funded through local ARPA appropriations.

Creative Sector Advocates Request $5 Per Resident in Healey’s FY24 Proposal

“Budgets are a reflection of our priorities: what we choose to spend public funds on is in direct relationship to what we value. The creative sector plays a crucial role in the vibrancy of our cities and towns. Artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations strengthen our connections to each other and our communities.” said Emily Ruddock, Executive Director of MASSCreative

Kelsey Rode
Next

PAST ACTION: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY26 HOUSE BUDGET