BUSINESS BRIEFS: Trade Mission, Cult Dist. Grants, Pike Interchange, New Sec of Workforce, and More

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Trade Mission Underway

Franklin’s State Rep., Jeff Roy, has been reported “on a trade mission” by State House News, a fact underscored in an email from Mr. Roy and in his Instagram post, above, a photo with Margaret Campbell, US Consul in the Azores. More will be reported at a later date.

Lauren Jones Appointed Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development

Governor. Healey has appointed Lauren Jones to be Secretary of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. Jones is currently the Executive Vice President of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and previously held roles with the City of Boston under Mayor Marty Walsh and in the Labor and Workforce Development Office under Governor Deval Patrick. As Executive Vice President of the Roundtable, Jones is the Co-Chair of the Workforce Solutions Group and serves on the Board for the Massachusetts Workforce Association, the Executive Committee for the Alliance for Vocational Technical Education, the Board of Advisors for the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, the Boston Private Industry Council, and previously served on the Future of Work Commission.

State Freight Planning Underway

Last week a Freight Advisory Committee got underway via a Zoom meeting that reviewed the 2017 Freight Plan including some of the work completed since that plan and also discussed the current 2023 Freight Plan, working toward completion. Under relatively recent Federal law, tied to government funding, of course, each state needs to have a Freight Plan. Significantly, many or perhaps most of those on the call have roles outside of the freight industry itself.

Pike Interchange Update

According to a report from the 495/Metrowest Partnership, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will host a virtual Public Information Meeting on the 75% Design of the Fruit Street Bridge & Ramp improvements on January 25th at 6:00 PM. The meeting will begin with a presentation by the project team. Attendees can view plans for the Fruit Street Bridge & Ramp ES/SE and ask questions. The virtual public meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 25th; click here to register for the meeting.

DOER Releases Stretch Code Guidance

Also by way of the 495/Metrowest Partnership, the Mass. Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has released draft Technical Guidance for the new Massachusetts Stretch Codes and Specialized Opt-in Code. The draft is an instructional guideline intended to assist building officials, designers, builders, and industry professionals with commercial and residential stretch code implementation; updates to the Stretch Code, including the formation of a new municipal opt-in net-zero code were finalized in December 2022.

The draft Technical Guidance includes three documents:

• 2023 Technical Guidance document
• Relative Performance Compliance and Targeted Performance Compliance appendices
• An appendix to the Targeted Performance Compliance section containing loads and schedules

DOER is seeking public comment on these three documents. Written comments can be submitted electronically to stretchcode@mass.gov by 5:00PM EST on February 2nd, 2023.

Opportunity for Cultural District Partners

The Franklin Cultural District Committee received a $15,000 Cultural District Investment grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. At its January 12 meeting, the FCDC voted to earmark $7,000 for a project involving creating utility box art in the Cultural District.

The FCDC is reaching out to FCD Partners for proposals for the remaining $8,000. Attached, please find a Franklin Cultural District Funding Request form. If you have a project and want to request some funding, please complete this form, and return it to Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development, by February 7, 2023. Mr. Taberner’s email address is: btaberner@franklinma.gov

The FCDC will discuss the proposals at its meeting on February 9 at 7:00 pm. All funds need to be spent by June 30, 2023.

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