DARTMOUTH– Friday, October 17, 2014 – Governor Deval Patrick today joined with state and local officials to announce over $8 million in MassWorks grants for infrastructure improvements in the town of Dartmouth, utility and roadway upgrades in the town of North Attleboro and the construction of a bio-manufacturing facility at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Fall River. Today’s awards are all part of the 2014 MassWorks Infrastructure Grant awards, aimed at improving infrastructure and spurring growth and innovation across the Commonwealth.

“Growth requires investment, and investments like these to support housing and business development will help catalyze growth in the South Coast region and beyond,” said Governor Patrick. “If we want to expand opportunity in our Commonwealth, this is what government must do and do well.”

The three 2014 MassWorks grants announced today by Governor Patrick include $2.2 million for the town of Dartmouth for infrastructure improvements to the intersection of Route 6, Route 177 and Beeden Road, $1.3 million for the town of North Attleboro for underground utility improvements at East Street Commons, and $5 million for the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s new bio-manufacturing facility.

“We are very excited to receive these grants through the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, and thank Governor Patrick for his efforts in this project,” said Senator Ed Markey.  “The improvements to the intersection of Route 6 and Route 177 have been needed for some time, and with this aid we will be able to create a much safer intersection.  The development of the Village at Lincoln Park has taken a great deal of time, and the work of the Town of Dartmouth, Joe Delgado, Jay Williams and Paul Carrigg should be credited.  This is just another example of smart public investment that will help our community as a whole.”

“I applaud MassWorks for awarding over $8 million in funding to worthwhile projects in three of our communities,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “Critically, this funding will create high-paying jobs at centers like the Massachusetts Accelerator for Bio-manufacturing Facility in Fall River and on roadwork and housing projects.  A secondary benefit is that an improved infrastructure allows for increased economic activity in our region, which is vital at a time when our local economy is continuing to grow. These upgrades will be particularly beneficial to the Village at Lincoln Park development, as the proposed work will help to support a larger community, provide needed affordable housing, and alleviate potential traffic congestion once this neighborhood expansion is complete.”

“By working with our local communities to identify opportunities to support growth and spur regional development we are strengthening our communities where residents can live, work and play,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Greg Bialecki.

Investments in the town of Dartmouth will address traffic safety and congestion concerns by reconfiguring the intersection of Route 6, Route 177 and Beeden Road. Improvements will also include a complete reconstruction of 1,000 feet of road on Route 6 and 400 feet of road on Route 177. The Dartmouth grant also supports the Village at Lincoln Park, where 36 units of family rental housing supported by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Dartmouth Affordable Housing Trust are slated to be built. The Village at Lincoln Park also includes market rate apartments, 57 single family homes and nearly 80,000 square feet of commercial space.

The Village at Lincoln Park is one of 36 Chapter 40R “smart growth” districts throughout Massachusetts. The Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District Act, commonly known as 40R, encourages communities to create dense residential or mixed-use smart growth zoning districts, including a high percentage of affordable housing units, to be located near transit stations, in areas of concentrated developments such as existing city and town centers and in other highly suitable locations.

“I am thrilled that North Attleboro is being awarded this MassWorks grant.  These infrastructure improvements are critical to our area and will bring a positive enhancement to housing and economic development,” said Representative Elizabeth Poirier. “As result of the expansion of GATRA transportation, it will prove to be a tremendous convenience for residents in our surrounding communities to have access to the North Attleboro area.”

“I am thrilled to see the Massachusetts Accelerator for Bio-manufacturing facility so near completion as it will surely act as a catalyst to help Fall River and the South Coast move towards economic prosperity,” said Representative Carole Filoa. “I appreciate this allocation by the MassWorks grant to expedite our goals.”

The North Attleboro MassWorks award for the East Commons project will fund drainage, sewer, water and roadway upgrades along East Street. The infrastructure improvements will support additional public and private investments including 30,000 square feet of commercial development, 193 housing units, a new Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) bus station and a new parking area.

“The MassWorks grant will help to propel the remaining development at Lincoln Park and for Dartmouth and Westport there is the added benefit of improving traffic safety at this intersection,” said David Cressman, Town Administrator in Dartmouth.

The University of Massachusetts Medical School was awarded $5 million to assist in the final construction of the Massachusetts Accelerator for Bio-manufacturing Facility in Fall River’s SouthCoast Life Science and Technology Park. The facility has strong potential to provide significant revenue and job growth for Fall River.

“UMass Medical School is tremendously pleased with the support of MassWorks and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development for the newly constructed Massachusetts Accelerator for Bio-manufacturing (MAB) located in Fall River,” said Umass Medical School Chancellor Dr. Michael F. Collins. “We are at the beginning of a new era in the development and manufacture of advanced biologics to prevent and treat human diseases and we are confident that this new facility, in addition to playing a major role in life sciences research and development, will also anchor a generation of robust economic development on the South Coast.”

“Midway Realty, the owners of the Lincoln Park Project have been working together with the Town of Dartmouth to develop a mixed use project consisting of 57 single family homes, three apartment buildings and a commercial component,” said Jay Williams of Midway Realty.  “The MassWorks Infrastructure Program was vital not only in helping this project become a reality but also in improving the business climate along the Rte. 6 Corridor both in Dartmouth and Westport.”

“The Town of North Attleboro has been a great partner in moving the Redevelopment of the Balfour site forward, particularly with their pursuit of a MassWorks Infrastructure Program award and the establishment of a TIF district, both of which exhibit their strong support this development and their dedication to a vibrant downtown,” said Ethan Sluter of the Bourne Avenue Capital Partners.  “This is an exciting project and we have been delighted with the our strong partnership with the Town throughout the development process.”

Administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, the MassWorks Infrastructure Program provides a one-stop shop for municipalities seeking funding to support housing, economic development and job creation with a particular emphasis on assisting communities to advance multi-family housing development.

For more information on the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, please visit www.mass.gov/eohed/massworks or follow the Program on Twitter @MassWorks.

 

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