The Baker-Polito Administration today announced $9.7 million in grants from the Skills Capital Grant Program to 47 educational organizations across the Commonwealth to update equipment and expand student enrollment in programs that provide career education. The awards announced today mark $102 million in total funding provided to high schools, colleges and other educational organizations since the program’s inception in 2015.

Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta and Education Secretary James Peyser visited Peabody Veterans Memorial High School to announce the awards and to tour the high school’s electrical engineering and culinary arts classrooms, which received a $175,000 award last year.

The Skills Capital Grant Program was originally launched in 2015 with the goal of replacing outdated equipment and technology, mainly at vocational technical high schools and community colleges. Since then, the program has evolved into a crucial component of local workforce training efforts by expanding the number of young people and adults trained and experienced with the newest technologies used by local employers. Approximately 40,000 students across the Commonwealth have directly benefitted from these grants.

“The Skills Capital Grants have helped give thousands of young people opportunities in high-demand jobs, and the grants have had a tremendous impact on students, schools and local businesses,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These significant investments made over the past six years in this program with our partners in the Legislature will help train students to adapt to the changing needs of our economy.”

“Massachusetts, like the rest of the country, will face workforce challenges in the next few years, but we are poised to handle them better because of programs like the Skills Capital Grants,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The grants enable schools, colleges and other educational institutions to revamp how students learn and gain crucial experience that serves them and employers well.” 

Since 2015, 387 grants totaling more than $102 million have been awarded to 187 different schools and educational institutions across the Commonwealth, with many organizations receiving multiple grants over the years. The state’s investment also helped institutions leverage the grants to gain an additional $25 million in local matching funds.

The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state. The 2018 Economic Development Bill, filed by the Governor and passed by the Legislature, established an additional $75 million in Skills Capital Grant funding over five years.

About two-thirds of the investments made with the grants are directly aligned to reduce skills gaps in high priority industry sectors, including health care, manufacturing, IT and skilled trades. A percentage of the funding, about 5 percent, has been invested in multi-year strategic projects in manufacturing, healthcare and energy training programs which are projected to have significant regional impact.

“As we continue to address economic disparities across the Commonwealth and provide solutions to employment gaps in high-demand industries, the Skills Capital Grants play a significant role in training students of all ages for successful long-lasting careers,” said Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “The impact of these grant funds on students, educational institutions, and local business partners is incredibly positive and moves us toward a more equitable economy.” 

Approximately 68 percent of the funds have been awarded to traditional high schools and vocational technical schools, 24 percent going to colleges, and another 8 percent to community-based organizations. A focus of the more recent grant awards has been the launch and expansion of the Governor’s Career Technical Initiative, which supports vocational-technical schools in expanding their impact by operating programs in the afternoons for local high school students and in the evenings for workers and adult learners.

“These unprecedented and sustained investments to expand training capacity in high-demand industries, and upgrades to the quality of equipment, ensure that our students – both young people and adults – graduate with knowledge and skills that are of immediate value to them as they launch careers and to employers who need skilled workers in today’s rapidly changing economy,” said Education Secretary James Peyser.

“Training a skilled workforce is critical to the Commonwealth’s economic recovery, and the Skills Capital Grants have been a vital component of our efforts to strengthen the talent pipelines for key industries,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy.  “As we continue emerging from the economic damage inflicted by the pandemic, funding this program at this milestone level will significantly increase access to employment opportunities in every region of Massachusetts and accelerate progress toward recovery.”

In January 2020, the Administration began awarding larger multi-year grants, allowing educational institutions to apply for either one or two years of funding. In this round of grants, Massachusetts Bay Community College received a two-year grant totaling $750,000 to purchase new equipment to support students in the nursing and allied health programs. Entities which receive two-year awards require a local matching contribution of $1 to every $3 of state funding.

The Skills Capital Grants are awarded by Governor Baker’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, which was created in 2015 to bring together the Secretariats of Education, Labor and Workforce Development, and Housing and Economic Development to align education, economic development, and workforce policies in order to strategize around how to meet employers’ demand for skilled workers in every region of the Commonwealth.

The following organizations received awards in this round:

Agawam High School, Agawam – $58,188, Manufacturing & Information Technology:  The school will use the grant to expand its existing early career programs in manufacturing and information technology.

Atlantis Charter School, Fall River – $75,000, Manufacturing Innovation Pathway: The grant will support the school’s manufacturing early career program by providing students with substantial resources to improve their workforce training. The grant will enable the school to leverage matching grant opportunities from philanthropic donors, local businesses, and higher education institutions.

Attleboro High School, Attleboro – $180,00, Metal fabrication: Attleboro High School will purchase programmable welding robots used by industry partners to provide students experience on the most up-to-date equipment used by employers. The school also plans to launch new adult/evening training programs to meet demand for training.

Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School, Charlton – $250,000, Veterinarian Tech: The school will renovate the veterinary hospital where students train and work alongside veterinary professionals in the fully operational veterinary hospital. The school will eventually offer afterschool and evening programs to adult learners to earn a veterinary assisting certification. Bay Path will partner with Second Chance Animal Services, an organization that provides care to animals.

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT), Boston – $151,468, Electrical Technology: BFIT’s Engineering Technology program will prepare students for a wide-range of jobs in the technology sector, including robotic assembly technicians, test technicians, automation technicians, solar technicians, solar installation technicians, wind technicians, mechanical technicians, machine tool technicians, and manufacturing technicians.  The school will offer stackable certificates and associate degrees in engineering technology.

Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield – $400,000, Culinary and Hospitality: The college will establish the Berkshire Culinary Institute (BCI) to support its redesigned culinary and hospitality program.  The former cafeteria will be repurposed into a modern teaching and learning space to give students experience in culinary, hospitality and the food service industries.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School, Canton – $200,000, Engineering Technology: The school will expand its engineering and drafting/CAD programs, and purchase new robotics equipment, a CNC mill, water cutter, and workstations with power.  By improving the program, the school will help students meet increasing industry demand for skilled workers in the engineering profession.

Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater – $250,000, Information Technology and Security: The university plans to develop a cyber simulation center to expand course offerings in cyber-criminology, cybersecurity, and digital forensics to meet critical workforce needs. The university is collaborating with state, education, and industry leaders to create a Commonwealth Cybersecurity Consortium.

Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School, Taunton – $228,380, Community Health & Practical Nurse Program: The school will update instructional labs in the community health and practical nurse programs to provide students with hands on experience using modern patient simulation and industry standard equipment.

Cape Cod Community College, West Barnstable – $479,082, Nursing & Allied Health: The college is aiming to expand the nursing program by 50 percent by 2023-2024. With the grant, the college will purchase patient simulation manikins, accompanying AV media tools to capture and stream simulation data, IV infusion pumps, a medication management system, and four hospital beds with full set-up.

Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, Harwich – $275,000, Agriculture/Horticulture Program: The high school will purchase equipment to improve the horticulture program, specifically landscaping, groundskeeping and landscape construction. Instructors will be able to optimize the job readiness and employability of young horticulturists, arborists, and agricultural workers by accelerating their progress toward professional licensure and certifications. Cape Cod Regional Technical High School will purchase hydroponics and aquaponics systems equipment to allow new areas of instruction that aligns with economic and business development.

Catholic Charities South, Brockton – $84,127, Certified Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide: Catholic Charities South (CCS) operates the Brockton certified nursing assistant and home health aide training program and the English Transcultural Center (ETC), which provides adult education programs and classes that include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, computer literacy training, and employment assistance and placement. The grant will help increase the adult education programs’ capacity, allowing additional training in day and evening hours, and strengthen the programs’ ability to drive students to Nursing Assistant and Home Health Aide credentials.

Central MA Center for Business & Enterprise, Whitinsville – $111,000, Welding and Metal Fabrication: Funding will support Central MA Center for Business & Enterprise to purchase additional AAR Welding Simulators to increase the learning capacity, and hands on applied learning experiences for adult workforce training and partnering high schools’ students enrolled in Innovation Pathways. The additional welders will support students to have increased hands-on instructional time to demonstrate mastery of additional skill sets required to obtain industry credentials desired by employer partners.

Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, Dighton – $214,000, Advanced Manufacturing: The high school will update equipment and technology in the Advanced Manufacturing program. The grant will expand training for students and adults in the community to meet workforce gaps in the manufacturing sector. The school will purchase CNC lathes, CNC milling machines, 3-D printers, a laser machine.

Diman Regional Vocational, Fall River – $55,938, Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies Program: The school will train students and unemployed/underemployed adult learners in metal fabrication and joining technologies to meet the need for skilled welders and pipefitters. New VICON fabrication & ViSoft HVAC software equipment will be available during school hours to Diman students, and in the evening for adults in the Career Technical Institute program.

Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, Hathorne – $121,000, Construction Trades: The school will expand career and technical education opportunities in the construction trades for students in both the day program, afterschool, and adult evening classes.

Fitchburg High School, Fitchburg – $71,762, Manufacturing Innovation Pathway: Students enrolled in the high school’s manufacturing Innovation Pathway program will gain experience in manufacturing, robotics, C.A.D./blueprint reading and engineering.

Gardner High School, Gardner – $75,000, Manufacturing Innovation Pathway: The high school will purchase a new CNC machine and milling and miter equipment to support students enrolled in the manufacturing Innovation Pathway programs in makerspace, technology & engineering, robotics, intro and advanced woodworking that align to the new MACWIC certification course at Gardner High School.

Greater Lawrence Technical School, Andover – $220,000, Advanced Manufacturing and Metal Fabrication: The high school will expand the advanced manufacturing shop and upgrade equipment in the metal fabrication and joining technologies lab. The new equipment will help expand the school’s Career Technical Institute by increasing the number of students enrolled in afternoon and evening programs.

Greenfield Community College, Greenfield – $450,000, Nursing and Emergency Medical Services (EMS): The college will upgrade its clinical patient simulation lab (SIMS Lab) for both its Department of Nursing and Emergency Medical Services Program, replacing outdated low- and hi-fidelity patient simulators and components.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston – $150,000, Creative Economy Technicians: The college will update the Creative Economy Technology labs with new equipment and technology, including 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters; downdraft tables, and related support equipment and air systems. The equipment will provide MassArt graduates the skills and training they need to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation in creative occupations related to robotics and animation, engineering technology, information services and networking sectors.

Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay – $250,000, Renewable Energy and Advanced Manufacturing: Mass Maritime will create an Advanced Manufacturing and Design Makerspace which will modernize, upgrade, and renovate existing resources that support the Energy Systems Engineering (ESEN) undergraduate program. The Academy will partner with renewable energy companies including offshore wind organizations and secondary school partners to help build out and customize the program. The new makerspace lab will be used to support the Academy’s workforce development initiatives for underemployed adult learners and create pathways for the Academy’s K-12 programs aimed to inspire women and students of color to pursue STEM fields, and vocational and apprentice pathway programs.

Massasoit Community College, Brockton – $213,196, Allied Health: The college will purchase training equipment for its allied health programs to support students learning to become radiologic technicians, medical assistants, medical practice specialists, EMTs, paramedics, community EMS paramedics, EKG technicians, and phlebotomists.

MassBay Community College, Wellesley – $750,000, Nursing and Allied Health Pathways: The college will purchase new equipment to support students in the nursing and medical imagining pathways. Students will have the opportunity to continue to the practical nursing certificate and associate degree in nursing, and then proceed to a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Framingham State University. Students gain clinical training at one of the college’s 45 partnering health care organizations.

Mattapan/Greater Boston Technology Learning Center, Mattapan – $150,000, Computer Network Support Specialist: Mattapan Tech will purchase new technology equipment to continue providing free job training to young people and new immigrants in the most vulnerable communities. The program covers a broad range of computer and network fundamentals for IT careers, based on the latest technology and software development skills.

McCann Technical School, North Adams – $96,430, Metal Fabrication & Welding: Precision manufacturing in Berkshire County is a niche market focused on the aerospace, defense, commercial, medical device, plastics, and mold making markets.  Critical to these industries is a workforce of well-trained welders, metal fabricators, and robotic welding technology programmers for both bridge and structural and pre-cast concrete fabrication. The high school will purchase welding and robotics equipment to support students in the metal fabrication program, as well as learners in evening adult training programs.

Medford Vocational Technical High School, Medford – $367,994, Construction and Craft Laborer: The high school will purchase heavy construction machinery to enhance its construction and craft laborer’s (CCL) program, as well as the Construction Academy which includes the carpentry and electrical programs.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School, Fitchburg – $250,000, Welding/Metal Fabrication: Welding is one of the top three sectors in the central Massachusetts region facing a skills gap that must be addressed. The high school will purchase new welding/metal fabrication equipment to update the existing day program, which will also used by adults in the new evening Career Technical Institute program.

Monument Mountain Regional High School, Great Barrington – $75,000, Manufacturing Innovative Pathway: Students in the manufacturing Innovation Pathway will have opportunities for hands on instruction with several multi-material 3D printers, laser cutters, a welding simulator and automation simulator through Project Lead the Way (PLTW) project-based learning curriculum.

Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner – $250,000, Dental Hygiene: The college will outfit its dental clinic with a modern sterilization center and upgrade the dental treatment rooms and radiographic equipment to industry standards. The dental clinic is housed within Community Health Connections in Fitchburg, which dental hygiene and assisting students provide patient care. Training provided to students will improve with state-of-the art sterilization and infection control procedures and processes that comply with CDC and OSHA guidelines and align with state licensing requirements.

Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School, Wakefield – $61,000, Allied Health Programs: The school will upgrade and modernize equipment in the health assisting and dental assisting programs, which serves more than 180 students.

Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rochester – $250,000, Electronic Engineering Technology: The school will expand training capacity in the electronics engineering technology program for high school students, and those in adult education programs.

Peabody Public Schools, Peabody – $125,000, Medical Assisting: The school will purchase simulation-based training equipment for medical assistant students to gain hands-on practice and knowledge. The equipment will include patient simulators, electronic thermometers, spirometers, pediatric scales, diagnostic equipment, and vision and hearing screeners.

Quaboag Regional High School, Warren – $75,000, Healthcare Innovation Pathway: Students in the healthcare Innovation Pathway will gain skills for entry level health care positions and receive Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Medical Assistant certifications. With the grant, the school will purchase EKG machines, blood pressure and phlebotomy training arms, testing/diagnostic machines, CPR manikins with feedback devices as well as Project Lead the Way equipment for the Biomedical Sciences.

Quincy High School, Quincy – $162,400, Carpentry Technology: The high school will enhance the carpentry technology curriculum to strengthen students’ critical carpentry skills. The carpentry program is supported by community partners, including Callahan Construction, City of Quincy Inspectional Services, and A.H. Campbell and Son, Inc. who will work in collaboration with the high school to ensure graduates find gainful internships, apprenticeships, employment opportunities, and/or post-secondary education upon graduation.

Quincy College, Quincy – $333,881, Pharmacy Technician and Medical Laboratory Technician: The college will purchase training equipment and new instructional technology for pharmacy technician and medical laboratory technicians, both occupations that are in demand in the region.

Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester – $231,522, Computer Systems Engineering Technology: The college will enhance its Systems Engineering Technology (CSET) Lab on its Worcester campus to allow more students to enter the fast-growing Information Technology industry as Computer User Support Technicians and Information Security Analysts.  As part of their required experiential learning, CSET degree students work with local employers to troubleshoot computer networking infrastructures, manage common third-party applications, design data storage solutions and much more in a structured, paid work environment.

Salem High School, Salem -$116,000, Automotive Technology: Salem High School will modernize its automotive technology program to ensure students have the skills required by local employers. Equipment and technology purchased including modern brake, alignment, tire, and diagnostic training equipment will enable students to prepare for ASE industry standard certifications.

Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, Northampton- $234,000, Automotive Technology: The school will modernize the automotive technology and collision repair programs to prepare students as electric vehicle technology becomes more widespread. The ATECH Classroom Management system includes hands-on training aids in engine performance, electrical, emissions, hybrid, starting and charging brake, and restraint systems.

Somerville High School Somerville, MA – $268,000, Advanced Manufacturing: The high school will upgrade and build upon it advanced manufacturing program by adding industry-standard 3D printing/additive manufacturing equipment. Students working with this new equipment will have new opportunities for industry credentialing.

South Shore Regional Vocational Technical High School, Hanover – $256,000, Allied Health Technology: High school and adult students will gain knowledge and skills in health care to pursue careers as certified nurses’ assistants, licensed practical nurses, blood pathologists, and EKG technicians.

Southeastern Regional School District, South Easton – $380,000, HVAC and Electrical: The school will install new electrical and HVAC equipment to support high school students in the traditional day programs and others enrolled in the and Career Technical Initiative training program. Students will earn education and work experience hours toward apprenticeship and/or licensure, along with other industry-recognized credentials. Electrical students will also graduate as PLC technicians, allowing them to install, program, and repair programmable logic controller systems in a variety of industrial applications.

Swampscott High School, Swampscott – $74,250, Manufacturing Innovation Pathway: Swampscott High School is launching a newly state approved Innovation Pathway program in Advanced Manufacturing in the fall of 2021.  Grant funds will help create a manufacturing and fabrication lab that includes hand tools and basic wood and metal working machinery as well as 3-D printers, replicators, a laser cutter and a CNC machine for exposure to more industry-standard manufacturing processes and support students in attaining MACWIC and OSHA certifications, and specific certifications in industry-standard software such as Solidworks.

Taconic High School, Pittsfield – $171,615, Information Support Services and Networking: The high school is launching a new Information Support Services and Networking Program (ISSN) to meet the local workforce demand. New equipment will outfit two new IT computer labs that will provide a learning resource for students to become certified in COMP A++ and Cisco Networking Assistant.

Tantasqua Regional Vocational High School, Fiskdale- $110,511, Culinary Arts and Hospitality: The school will retool the kitchen for the culinary program and student-run restaurant to match current industry standards and prepare students for cooperative education placements, as well as full-time employment in the region. Student’s enrolled in the programs earn their OSHA 10 cards, ServeSafe Alergen, Manager, and Alcohol, in addition to First Aid/CPR credentials.

Waltham High School, Waltham- $152,871, Health Assisting: The school will purchase industry-standard health care equipment including EKGs, Pulse Doppler and Vital Sign machines hospital grade furniture, training models, mobility equipment to support students enrolled in the newly launched Chapter 74 Healthcare Assistant Program to gain Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) industry recognized credential. The healthcare industry is identified as a priority sector in the Greater Boston Regional Blueprint.

Watertown High School, Watertown – $218,073, Medical Assisting: Watertown High School is launching a medical assisting program to meet workforce needs in Greater Boston for more healthcare professionals. New equipment will closely mirror that found in a doctor’s or hospital’s patient examination rooms, labs, and ancillary offices such as exam tables, cabinets, lab tables, centrifuges, microscopes, EKG machines, AED machines, patient simulation mannequins, phlebotomy arms, computers, and software.

After months of pandemic-induced delays, the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released the local-level population and demographic data from the 2020 count of the nation’s population, triggering a sprint to redraw the boundaries of the state’s legislative and Congressional districts over the coming months.

The 2020 Census counted 7,029,917 people living in Massachusetts, a 482,288-person or 7.4 percent increase over the last decade that outpaced the 4.1 percent average in the Northeast and equaled the growth rate of the country as a whole. The state’s growth has been uneven, likely requiring the western Massachusetts districts represented by U.S. Rep Richard Neal and U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern’s western/central district to be expanded in size to meet the 781,497-constituent target set by Census officials, while the footprint of eastern districts close to Boston may need to shrink or shift west.

Armed with the detailed local data showing population gains in all 10 of the largest Bay State cities — Boston (+58,053), Worcester (+25,473), Springfield (+2,869), Lowell (+9,035), Cambridge (+13,241), New Bedford (+6,007), Brockton (+11,833), Quincy (+9,365), Lynn (+10,924) and Fall River (+5,143) — and decreases in Holyoke (-1,642), Pittsfield (-810), North Adams (-747) and Westfield (-260), the Legislature can truly begin the process of reshaping voting districts to account for shifting population centers with a few sometimes-conflicting priorities in mind, like maximizing minority representation and protecting incumbents.

Outside the 10 most populous cities, Lawrence saw the greatest population growth (+12,766) followed by Revere (+10,431), Everett (+7,408), Haverhill (+6,908) and Malden (+6,813). Secretary of State Bill Galvin said Thursday afternoon that Massachusetts now has nine cities with more than 100,000 residents and Worcester, the state’s second-largest city, has surpassed 200,000 residents for the first time.

“We’ve had significant changes within our state. We’ve seen cities grow dramatically … Many of the suburban communities grow as well,” Galvin, the state’s liaison to the Census, said. He added, “Particularly gratifying was seeing some of the communities that we were most concerned about, where we knew there were significant populations of non-native born persons, being fully counted. So, for instance, the city of Lawrence is now at 89,000, a dramatic gain. The city of Revere had the greatest percentage gain. The city of Chelsea, one of the concerns we constantly expressed, is now at 40,000 people. The city of New Bedford is at 102,000 people. These are all communities that, even to the last days of the Census, we were constantly struggling to make sure people were counted in those communities.”

The only two counties in Massachusetts to shed residents over the last decade were Berkshire (-2,193) and Franklin (-343). Every other county saw population growth, led by the gains of 128,917 people in Middlesex County, 75,913 people in Suffolk County and 66,670 people in Essex County. By growth percentage, Nantucket County led the way with a 40.1 percent gain (an increase of 4,083 people).

That’s at odds with the national trend, the U.S. Census Bureau said Thursday. Across the country, less than half (47 percent) of the nation’s 3,143 counties gained population over the last decade.

Galvin said the new numbers from the Census mean that Congressional districts will include 781,000 people, state Senate districts will include more than 175,000 people and state House of Representative districts will include almost 44,000 people.

“So all of these districts are going to have to change. And there’s going to have to be some significant adjustment made,” Galvin said. “Just to take Boston because it’s the largest city as an example, Boston appears to have gained — did gain — 58,000 people. That means it probably would gain an additional, potentially an additional, seat in the House of Representatives.”

The Special Joint Committee on Redistricting, led by Assistant House Majority Michael Moran and Senate President Pro Tempore William Brownsberger, has already held more than 18 hearings on the redistricting process and is expected to hold more public hearings once its proposed district maps are available.

Moran told the News Service on Thursday that the committee’s third-party vendor is working now to put the latest Census data into a format that meets the committee’s parameters. Once it is, lawmakers will begin diving into the numbers and digesting it with the testimony from redistricting hearings.

But he is also mindful of the Census Bureau’s plan for another data release — the Census says it will be the same data but presented in different formats — by Sept. 30. Moran said the committee has to use official Census data and “given the Census’ credibility in the last year and a half,” he is not considering the data released Thursday to be the official numbers.

“My job isn’t to be first on this stuff, my job is to be correct,” Moran, who led the last round of redistricting for the House, said. He added, “As far as I’m concerned and the House is concerned — and I think you’ll see Senator Brownsberger is in a similar position — our job is to get it right. And we’re going to look at these numbers when they’re in a safe space for us to look at them.”

There could be other proposed maps in the mix as well. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr and Republican Sen. Ryan Fattman plan to oversee the redistricting process for the Senate minority caucus and are leaving their options open as they scrutinize the fresh data, a Tarr spokesman said. For the House Republicans, Rep. Paul Frost will serve as the redistricting point person.

“Whether the caucus produces its own proposal will be dictated in large part by what the preliminary maps look like, but we certainly plan to offer our input throughout this important undertaking and will be working to ensure that the entire process remains open and transparent,” House Minority Leader Brad Jones said.

Shortly after the data was made available, advocates with the Drawing Democracy Coalition said they plan to use it to produce the organization’s own “unity map” that would keep communities together and ensure equitable representation for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian-American communities, people of color, immigrants, and low-income communities. The group said it plans to eventually submit its map to the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting.

“Redistricting is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to better ensure authentic representation and open new opportunities for building power for BIPOC, immigrant and low-income communities,” the coalition said in a statement. “Especially as efforts are underway across the country to restrict access to voting, it is more important than ever to ensure that voters can elect representatives of their choice. While today’s release of the redistricting data is several months delayed, the Drawing Democracy Coalition is confident that, along with the Special Joint Committee on Redistricting, we have a strong plan in place to ensure that the process remains fair and transparent and that the new district maps are approved by the November 8, 2021 deadline.”

State representatives planning to seek reelection in 2022 must reside within their district boundaries for at least one year ahead of time, making Nov. 8, 2021 a soft deadline for the new maps that would give candidates a chance to ensure they can be eligible for next year’s election.

Drawing Democracy said it has already received and shared with the Special Redistricting Committee 99 “community of interest” map submissions “providing valuable insight from local residents into what areas of their communities are most important to keep together.”

Once the group’s unity map is drafted, it will go through “extensive legal review” to make sure that it is in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, the Massachusetts Constitution and state laws. Drawing Democracy plans to solicit input from its coalition members at five virtual listening sessions, make any necessary tweaks and then present it to the legislative committee for consideration.

“During redistricting in 2011, the final maps approved by the legislature closely resembled the unity map presented by Drawing Democracy,” the group pointed out Thursday in its announcement.

Thursday’s data release from the U.S. Census Bureau follows its April release of congressional apportionment data, which provided total state headcounts to be used to determine each state’s number of U.S. House of Representatives seats and in funding formulas. Massachusetts added 482,288 people since the last Census in 2010, ensuring that its delegation to the U.S. House will remain the same size rather than shrinking by one as happened after the 2010 count.

But that April data was not enough to draw maps of voting districts within states because it did not get into the granular details like where in a state people live, or their age, race and ethnicity.

The redistricting data released Thursday gets down to the individual Census block, counts only residents (the apportionment data also includes “federally-affiliated” people living overseas), and includes race, ethnicity and some housing information. It became available Thursday in what the Census called a “legacy format” that states, redistricting software vendors and groups like the National Conference of State Legislatures are familiar with.

The Census plans to release the same data in manners more accessible to the public by the end of September, including through the data.census.gov platform. Governors, state legislative leaders and any redistricting commissions around the country will get DVDs and flash drives with an integrated data browsing software by the end of next month.

But by then, the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law said, “many states are expected to start and potentially even complete their map-drawing processes.”

In a partnership with the Massachusetts Office of Business Development and MassDevelopment, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be hosting state economic development officials for one-on-one appointments with local developers, manufacturers and business owners.  The meetings are an opportunity to discuss any specific matters related to their business or the expansion of their business, as well as to review state resources available to support business growth and expansion.

Kevin Kuros, Central Massachusetts Director for MOBD and Rob Anderson,

Vice President of Business Development for MassDevelopment will be available at the Chamber office by appointment on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 between 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The appointments are in thirty minute increments and are first come, first serve. The meetings are free and confidential, available on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.

MOBD helps businesses relocating to Massachusetts and businesses wishing to expand their current operations here.  MOBD is responsible for managing the state’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) which provides tax credits for qualifying business expansion projects.  In addition, they provide information on other state economic development programs, including the state’s R&D tax credit, the Mass Life Science Center tax incentives, the Workforce Training Fund grant program, the Mass Clean Energy Center programs, the STEP grant offered through the Mass Office of International Trade and Investment and other state resources.

MassDevelopment, the state’s quasi-public finance and development agency provides real estate and equipment loans and other programs to support manufacturers, non-profit organizations and developers of rental housing.  In addition, they also manage the state’s Brownfields Tax Credit Program, Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and New Markets Tax Credit Program.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600 ext. 222.

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced the departure of Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco, III. Secretary Turco is retiring after more than 30 years of public service. The Administration also announced the appointment of current Undersecretary for Law Enforcement Terrence Reidy as Acting Secretary of Public Safety and Security.

“Since taking office, our Administration has been deeply committed to ensuring the safety and security of the residents, families and communities of the Commonwealth, and we are grateful for the leadership of Secretary Turco in pursuing that goal,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Tom has played an invaluable role in many major efforts to deliver a safer Commonwealth for all, including working with law enforcement, legislators and community justice leaders to deliver landmark police reform legislation. We appreciate his expertise and commitment to public service, and look forward to continuing to work with Acting Secretary Reidy.”

“Over the past three years Secretary Turco led the team at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and its agencies with purpose and dedication, and we wish him well in his retirement,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “His commitment to supporting the public safety of our local communities was unsurpassed and his thoughtful leadership was invaluable to our Administration. I want to thank Secretary Turco for his years of service and welcome Acting Secretary Reidy to this new role.”

“Public safety depends on all of us working together to build a culture of preparedness, responsiveness, and care for those in our communities,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco. “I would like to thank the residents of the Commonwealth for their support of our work, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor for their confidence in me and my colleagues across our agencies whose collective partnership has advanced our vision of excellence. Knowing how our team will rise to this occasion empowers me to make this decision to spend time with my family who have been a source of unwavering support to me in my life of public service.”

“Serving on Secretary Turco’s leadership team at EOPSS has prepared me for the task of succeeding such an effective leader,” said Undersecretary for Law Enforcement Terrence Reidy. “I am honored to be appointed Acting Secretary of Public Safety and Security and lead a talented group of world-class professionals. Together with our partners in the Administration, Legislature, and local communities, we will fulfill our mission to sustain and increase public safety.”

“On behalf of the Massachusetts Major City Chiefs, I would like to extend our collective congratulations to Secretary Turco on his retirement,” said President of the Major City Chiefs, Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes. “Tom has been a phenomenal leader who we have benefited from.  His wisdom, guidance, and ability to make the most difficult decisions has made the Commonwealth a safer place. His legacy will continue in our law enforcement community for years to come.”

“As Boston Police Commissioner, I experienced an extraordinary collaborative fusion under Tom Turco’s leadership,” said Retired Boston Police Commissioner Willie Gross. “Like Coach Belichick, he leveraged the strength of each local, state, and federal partner – challenging each to do their job and contribute to a shared mission. I thank his family for supporting Tom in his work to make the Commonwealth a safer place for all.”

Under Secretary Turco’s leadership, the Baker-Polito Administration has made several advancements on key public safety and security issues for people and communities across Massachusetts. Key accomplishments include:

• Collaborated with the Legislature and key stakeholders to develop, codify into law, and implement the foundation of the comprehensive 2020 police reform bill.
• Increased opportunities for implementing body cameras, including creating grant opportunities for municipalities and a dedicated program for more than 1,500 troopers within the State Police.
• Supported the Commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by helping to coordinate a statewide effort to distribute personal protective equipment and other critical supplies to first responders and other frontline workers.
• Led state-wide election security planning to ensure that residents could safely exercise their right to vote in the election as well as free speech.
• Developed the first-of-its-kind “Faith-Based Organization Safety and Security Toolkit,” an e-learning course for all houses of worship, faith organizations, law enforcement organizations, and first responders in the Commonwealth, and a similar workbook for large public venues.
• Supported funding for the Department of Fire Services to redevelop a former Department of Corrections site and create an academy in Bridgewater.
• Recruited and swore in 450 new State Troopers and oversaw the recruitment of the most diverse State Police class in history.   

About Terrence Reidy:

Terrence Reidy has served as Undersecretary for Law Enforcement within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security since 2019, where he has provided strategic leadership to the Massachusetts State Police, the Municipal Police Training Committee, and the Office of Grants and Research. In addition, Reidy served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes. Drawing on his prosecutorial experience collaborating with community leaders, he oversaw the creation of a hate crime resource guide for Massachusetts schools and partnered with police to ensure that every department in the Commonwealth has a trained, dedicated civil rights officer.

Prior to his work at EOPSS, Reidy was an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and Assistant District Attorney in Worcester and Suffolk Counties. His experience included supervising the Attorney General’s Enterprise, Major Crimes, and Cyber Crime Unit and the Worcester District Attorney’s Gang Unit. In Suffolk County, Reidy was promoted from District Court Prosecutor to Superior Court where he served in the Gang and Safe Neighborhood Initiative Units.  In these roles, he developed collaborative relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement as well as residents and community groups.

Beyond his work in government, Reidy dedicates time to volunteering as a coach for several youth sports organizations. He completed his undergraduate studies at Colby College and earned his juris doctor from New England School of Law. 

Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today announced the appointment of Jamey L. Tesler as Secretary of Transportation and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Tesler has served as Acting Secretary since January, when he was appointed to replace former Secretary Stephanie Pollack after Pollack’s appointment as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration for the Biden-Harris Administration.

“Jamey Tesler is a dynamic leader and with several years of experience in senior roles in the transportation sector, he and the team at the Department are ready to advance the important work underway across Massachusetts’ transportation systems,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “From safety to planning for the mobility needs of the Commonwealth’s future, the job of Transportation Secretary is hugely important and Jamey is the right person to lead the Department.”

“In continuing in his role as Secretary, Jamey will remain a strong partner for officials at the municipal level, ensuring a commitment to local infrastructure and projects,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful for his ongoing leadership and dedication to the transportation sector and service to the people of this Commonwealth.”

“Since January, it has been the honor of my professional career to serve as Acting Secretary of Transportation and I am grateful and humbled that Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito have confidence in my ability to continue to lead the organization as we deliver a transportation system that is safe, reliable, resilient and equitable,” said Secretary Jamey Tesler.  “With the support of MassDOT’s dedicated workforce and management team, I am looking forward to continuing to advance customer service improvements, programs giving municipalities resources, and infrastructure projects which connect people with where they want to go, whether they are walking, bicycling, traveling by public transportation, or riding in a vehicle.”

Prior to his appointment as Acting Secretary in January, Tesler served as Registrar of Motor Vehicles. He has years of experience across the Department of Transportation and has worked for more than 16 years in senior management roles in the public sector, including as General Counsel to the Massachusetts State Treasurer, Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Governor, Deputy General Counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), MassDOT Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Contract Management, Acting Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Transportation, and then as Chief Operating Officer at MassDOT. Tesler received his bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.