Great news! The Legislature passed a supplemental budget (House Bill 3947) that includes $15 million for the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, our state’s best tool for cleaning up contaminated and vacant properties and getting them back on the tax rolls.
Please take a moment to thank your legislators.
This is a significant down payment on the $60 million necessary to recapitalize the Brownfields Fund for the next five years and we look forward to working with legislative leadership over the next few months to secure the remaining $45 million that is needed.
Let your legislators know that you appreciate their work and ongoing commitment.
Since 1998, the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund has been used 630 times in cities and towns throughout the state and is considered a national model of success. In the past six years alone, the Fund has led to the creation of over 4,000 housing units and 2,600 permanent jobs.
For more information, including support letters, Boston Globe editorial, and other background info, go to: https://masmartgrowth.wpengine.com/issues/brownfields/
Hats off to our Great Neighborhoods Somerville partner Meridith Levy, Deputy Director of the Somerville Community Corporation, for her grassroots efforts that helped facilitate adoption of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) by Somerville voters in 2012.