Comprehensive Economic Development Legislation Passed Into Law

The Massachusetts Legislature recently passed, and Governor Charles Baker signed into law, comprehensive economic development legislation including investments, initiatives and incentives to promote development and workforce training, create jobs and stimulate the Commonwealth’s economy. The legislation strengthens existing programs and authorizes $743.9M in capital spending over a period of three years for a range of economic development initiatives supporting workers, businesses and communities.

“I’m pleased that the Senate, the House, and Governor Baker were able to work closely together to pass this comprehensive legislation that will promote economic development and job creation across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Jason Lewis. “Among many other important provisions, the legislation recapitalizes the MassWorks infrastructure grant program that has been very helpful to communities in our district with their downtown revitalization efforts.”

The bill authorizes capital investments in initiatives to promote innovation, create jobs and provide skills training and assistance for the Massachusetts workforce.  Included are: $71 million in matching grants to allow colleges and universities to participate in the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation initiative; $45.9M for building improvements for career technical education and training programs; $30M for workforce training and education in the advanced manufacturing, technology and hospitality fields; $15M for a new Innovation Infrastructure Program providing grants and loans for the design, construction and improvement of buildings to spur innovation and entrepreneurship, including co-working spaces, innovation centers, maker spaces, post-incubation start-ups and artist space; $15.775M for matching grants for innovative scientific and technology research and development activities stimulating economic and employment opportunities in the state; $4.775M for a cybersecurity and data analytics technology development and training center; and, $2.4M for the Early College High School Program to encourage partnerships between school districts and higher education institutions.

The bill also authorizes spending for infrastructure investments to boost economic growth, housing production and community development across the Commonwealth.  Included are: $500 million for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which provides funding to cities and towns to support commercial and residential development, housing, downtown revitalization, transportation improvements and other infrastructure necessary for economic development and job creation; $109.5M for the purchase of higher-capacity cranes to move cargo and extend docks to allow larger ships to dock and conduct business in the state; $15M for site assembly and assessment, pre-development permitting and other pre-development and marketing activities; $45M for the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund; $45M for transformative development projects in Gateway Cities; $7.5M for smart growth housing development for low income residents; $6.4M for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to increase access to healthy food options and improve economic opportunities for nutritionally underserved communities; and, $1M for public infrastructure grants to municipalities.

The bill strengthens existing programs designed to create jobs and connect people to jobs, updating the operation of Regional Economic Development Organizations and streamlining the Economic Development Incentive Program to make the program more flexible and transparent.

In addition, the bill makes several changes to tax incentives and expenditures and establishes a tax expenditure review unit within the Office of the Inspector General to periodically review and report on the costs and benefits of the state’s tax expenditures.

Finally, the bill establishes a new tax incentive, limited to Massachusetts residents, encouraging families to save for higher education. Individual filers would be able to take a $1,000 tax deduction for contributions to a prepaid tuition or college savings program, also known as a 529 plan. Married couples filing taxes jointly would be able to take a $2,000 deduction.