Western Massachusetts Receives Major Investments on 413 Day

The Healey-Driscoll Administration marked 413 Day with a series of major announcements targeting housing, workforce development, and outdoor recreation across Western Massachusetts.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll traveled to all four Western Massachusetts counties on April 13 to announce new investments and meet with local leaders and stakeholders.

What Is 413 Day?

413 Day celebrates Western Massachusetts, named for the region's telephone area code. Senator Adam Hinds established the observance in 2019 to highlight the culture, economy, and communities of Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire counties.

The day has become an opportunity for state leaders to announce initiatives specifically benefiting the region.

"Western Massachusetts is essential to our state's success, from its small business and farms to its outdoor economy and cultural institutions," said Governor Maura Healey. "That's why we are making real investments in the 413, building housing, supporting workers and strengthening local economies."

Housing Choice Communities Expand Across the Region

In Franklin County, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias announced 29 new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designations statewide.

What Housing Choice Designation Means

Communities that earn Housing Choice designation gain priority access to state grant programs and technical assistance. The designation recognizes municipalities that have adopted policies to encourage housing production, such as zoning reforms or streamlined permitting processes.

The newly designated communities have collectively produced nearly 8,700 housing units over the past five years.

Western Massachusetts Gains Six New Designations

Six Western Massachusetts communities received Housing Choice designation this year:

• Bernardston
• Buckland
• Deerfield
• Easthampton
• Gill
• Great Barrington

This year marks the first time every county in Massachusetts has at least one Housing Choice Community, ensuring all regions can access state housing resources.

Neighborhood Stabilization Funding

The administration also announced 8 million dollars in Neighborhood Stabilization Program awards through MassHousing. The funding will support the redevelopment or rehabilitation of 49 affordable homes, including 34 homeownership opportunities.

Housing Investment Totals

Since taking office in January 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has invested more than 342 million dollars in housing production and preservation in Western Massachusetts. This funding has supported over 800 homes across the region.

Through the state's Housing Development Incentive Program, the administration has supported the creation of 152 units of housing development in Western Massachusetts, totaling 9.6 million dollars. This represents about 21 percent of the state's total HDIP investment.

YouthWorks Program Expands Job Opportunities

In Hampden County, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and Labor and Workforce Secretary Lauren Jones visited the UMass Amherst Henry M. Thomas III Center at Springfield to announce 14.4 million dollars in grants for youth employment.

How YouthWorks Helps Young People

The YouthWorks program provides teens and young adults with paid work experience, job training, and career development opportunities. The program will create nearly 3,800 jobs for young people across Massachusetts this year.

Participants gain hands-on experience in public, private, and nonprofit sectors while developing professional and interpersonal skills. The program also helps young people plan their next steps in education and career pathways.

Young people interested in YouthWorks can contact their local MassHire Career Center or visit the program website to learn about eligibility and application processes.

PILOT Commission Addresses Funding Fairness

In Hampshire County at the Pelham Overlook, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll swore in members of Governor Healey's Commission on Payments in Lieu of Taxes for State-Owned Land.

Understanding the PILOT Issue

The state owns over half a million acres of land, including state parks and forests, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, and military campgrounds. Because this land is tax-exempt, municipalities lose property tax revenue.

To compensate for this loss, the state administers a Payment in Lieu of Taxes program that provides funding to affected municipalities. However, Western Massachusetts communities, which host a significant share of state-owned land, have long raised concerns about disparities in how PILOT funding is distributed.

Commission's Mission

The PILOT Commission will evaluate potential reforms to ensure fairness in how the state compensates municipalities. The group will focus on geographic equity, with particular attention to communities hosting large amounts of state-owned land.

Commission Members

The Commission includes state officials, municipal leaders, and subject matter experts:

State Officials:

• Matt Gorzkowicz, Secretary of Administration and Finance
• Melissa Hoffer, Climate Chief
• Lisa Primiano, Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
• Sean Cronin, Department of Revenue
• Kate Preissler, Department of Conservation and Recreation
• Emily Myron, Department of Fish and Game
• Anne Gobi, Director of Rural Affairs

Municipal Representatives:

• Jason Silva, Dunstable Town Administrator
• Amy Jackson-Grove, Town of Marion Grants Administrator
• Jane Peirce, Town of Orange Selectboard Member

Subject Matter Experts:

• Dr. James Neumann, Industrial Economics Incorporated
• Wendy Ferris, The Trustees of Reservations

Additional members will be appointed in the coming weeks.

Federal Grant Support

While in Pelham, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll also announced additional funding through the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance programs. These programs help local and tribal governments apply for federal grants.

To date, the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office has awarded 2,048,950 dollars from the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Program and 1,000,000 dollars from the Technical Assistance Program for Regional Planning Agencies.

Outdoor Economy Shows Strongest Growth in Nation

In Franklin County, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll held a listening session at Berkshire East Mountain Resort with business leaders, tourism officials, and state agencies to discuss the outdoor recreation sector.

Record-Breaking Growth

Massachusetts' outdoor economy generated 14.6 billion dollars in economic activity in 2024 and supported 108,000 jobs. The sector grew at a rate of 6.9 percent, more than double the national average of 2.8 percent, making Massachusetts the fastest-growing state for outdoor recreation.

This data comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis.

State Support for Outdoor Recreation

The administration has invested in expanding access to outdoor recreation, including nearly 190,000 dollars in grants last year to support community-based events and initiatives across Western Massachusetts.

During her first year in office, Governor Healey appointed the state's first Director of the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Following the roundtable discussion, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited Berkshire County to experience the region's outdoor recreation opportunities, including a fly-fishing lesson at Zoar Gap.

Climate Resilience Investment Proposed

The administration has filed the Mass Ready Act, which would invest 3 billion dollars to strengthen infrastructure and protect Massachusetts communities against increasing extreme weather events.

The legislation reflects the administration's focus on preparing communities for climate challenges while supporting economic development.

Regional Equity as a Priority

Throughout the 413 Day announcements, administration officials emphasized their commitment to ensuring every region of Massachusetts has the resources and support needed for economic growth.

"413 Day is a chance to celebrate Western Massachusetts, but more importantly, it's a chance to deliver for the people who live and work here," said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. "From housing to workforce development to outdoor recreation, we're investing in the foundations that support long-term economic growth across the region."

The investments announced on 413 Day represent a continuation of the administration's focus on regional equity and targeted support for communities across the Commonwealth.