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

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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.

 
 



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PAST ACTION: AMENDMENTS TO THE FY26 HOUSE BUDGET