MAC Resource: Economic Development Team Launches $100 Million Infrastructure Grant Initiative Aimed at Creating Jobs
Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion (MORE) Jobs program helps municipalities partner with developers to upgrade infrastructure
Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Dan O’Connell and Undersecretary for Business Development Bob Coughlin have launched the $100 million Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion (MORE) Jobs Capital Program, which helps cities and towns pay for infrastructure needed to spur economic development.
"The MORE Jobs program is a wonderful tool to help businesses grow and expand here, while creating the jobs vital to keeping Massachusetts strong," Secretary O’Connell said. "I am excited by the opportunities I see made possible by this program."
The program provides grant funding to help finance the public infrastructure associated with business expansion and relocation projects. In total, $100 million has been authorized for grants to qualifying projects. Grants must be used for infrastructure improvements, such as water and sewer connections, roadway enhancements, and utility upgrades.
"MORE Jobs grants will allow cities and towns the flexibility to consider projects they may not otherwise consider should the infrastructure not be in place," said Undersecretary Coughlin. "This is a smart way to leverage private investment and create new jobs."
In order to receive a grant, a city or town and a for-profit business entity must jointly submit an application to the Secretary of Economic Development. Applications will be reviewed by an advisory committee, and grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
MORE Jobs was established in an economic stimulus bill that was passed by the legislature and signed into law last year. The measure was championed by the co-chairmen of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Sen. Jack Hart (D- South Boston) and Rep. Daniel Bosley (D- North Adams).
"The ‘MORE Jobs’ initiative exemplifies the determination of the legislature to ensure that Massachusetts remains competitive," said Sen. Hart. "It’s important to not only maintain jobs in Massachusetts, but to attract new companies and create new jobs. We look forward to working with the Patrick Administration to implement this much needed program."
Rep. Bosley said, "The MORE Jobs program is essential in our plans to grow our employment base in the Commonwealth. It gives the state the ability to react quickly when a business needs infrastructure work done as part of an expansion or relocation. Moreover, it fits in with the streamline permitting initiatives and job training responsiveness in the stimulus bill. The Economic Stimulus bill was not only designed to fund programs that are necessary for job growth, but it was also about responding in a timely manner. We need to react in real time in order to capture the downstream benefits of business expansions."
In order to be eligible for a grant, the business associated with a project must:
Generate substantial sales from outside the Commonwealth
Create at least 100 new permanent full-time jobs in Massachusetts within 24 months
Maintain the newly created jobs for at least 5-years
Guidelines and applications are now available on our website (www.mass.gov/MOREJobs). Applications for 2007 are due May 1.
The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is one of eight Secretariats that make up the Governors Cabinet. Under the leadership of Secretary Dan O’Connell The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development oversees Business Development, Housing and Community Development, and Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.
The Department of Business Development is led by Undersecretary Bob Coughlin, who oversees the Massachusetts Office of Business Development, Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance, Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the Seaport Council.
