In this issue...

• Housing Bond Bill Webinar

• 495/MetroWest Partnership Housing Committee Meeting Sept. 24th

• MetroWest Life Sciences Network Fall Networking Event

• Informational Forum for Businesses on Public Contracting

• DOER Accepting Public Comment on Stretch Code Updates

Housing Bond Bill Webinar

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC), in collaboration with Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) and the 495/MetroWest Partnership, will host a webinar on September 10th at 2:00 PM about the recently passed Housing Bond Bill. CHAPA will provide insights into the components and impact of the law, and how it will support housing development. CMRPC will be hosting office hours after the event for further support and guidance. Click here to register for the session. 

495/MetroWest Partnership Housing Committee Meeting Sept. 24th

The state's housing crunch carries significant economic risk for the 495/MetroWest region. The Housing Committee of the 495/MetroWest Partnership is leading the development of a consensus "Vision and Priorities" statement for the organization, which will establish the Partnership's vision and core beliefs on the subject of housing, as well as outline specific actions that should be taken to address the situation. The draft Housing Vision and Priorities statement is available for review at this link. The draft was developed by the Housing Committee's Co-Chairs, working in tandem with Partnership staff. Your feedback is sought and welcomed; the document has not yet been acted upon by the Board of Directors of the 495/MetroWest Partnership, and at this time does not represent the organization’s formal position. Your feedback will help inform the organization's position prior to ratification by the Board.

Our Housing Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, September 24th at 8:30 AM to review and discuss the proposed draft; feedback received during the discussion will be taken under advisement. This meeting is open to any interested 495/MetroWest stakeholder; click here to register. 

MetroWest Life Sciences Network Fall Networking Event

The MetroWest Life Sciences Network is hosting its Fall Networking Event on September 18th at 4:30 PM in Natick. The event offers an opportunity to network with life science professionals from MetroWest and beyond in the Biotech, Pharma, and Medtech industries. There will be free appetizers and drinks during this event. The MetroWest Life Sciences Network is raising funds for the MWLSN Scholarship Fund, to assist students by eliminating financial barriers that they may face during their education. The fund helps support young adults in acquiring an education at MassBay Community College; donations are being sought concurrent with registration. Click here for more information or to register for the event. 

Informational Forum for Businesses on Public Contracting

The Town of Acton, the 495/MetroWest Partnership, the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce, and others will co-host an informational forum "How to Grow Your Business Through Public Contracting." The event will feature representatives from the state's Operational Services Division and Supplier Diversity Office presenting on how businesses can qualify and compete for state contracting work. 

The forum will be held on September 10th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Acton Town Hall, in Room 204. The event is open to area businesses, consultants, contractors, and tradespersons to learn about working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This free workshop and networking event will include light refreshments. Click here to register. 

DOER Seeking Public Comment on Stretch Code Updates

The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) is seeking public feedback on proposed updates to the Stretch and Specialized building codes. These revisions, which cover both commercial and residential sections, are based on comments received since the regulations were implemented.

• Click here to review a redlined version of the Residential section
• Click here to review a redlined version of the Commercial section
• Click here to review a summary of the proposed changes

Stakeholders can pose questions and comments at a virtual public hearing being held on September 16th via Zoom. Click here to register for the virtual public hearing. Additionally, feedback can be submitted electronically until September 17th. To submit feedback, email stretchcode@mass.gov with the words STRETCH CODE FEEDBACK in the subject line.

In Case You Missed It: Strength in Numbers, Community Profiles, and Employer Survey Results

Our 2024 annual reports and datasets are now available on the Partnership's website:

• Strength in Numbers: Each year, the 495/MetroWest Partnership publishes our annual Strength in Numbers update, highlighting the advantages of locating and doing business in our region. While containing some economic data points of interest, the primary purpose of Strength in Numbers is to provide the region’s economic stakeholders with a set of consistent talking points to utilize in promoting the economic advantages of doing business in 495/MetroWest. 

• 495/MetroWest Employer Survey: Our 495/MetroWest Employer Survey is an annual project undertaken in conjunction with Framingham State University’s MetroWest Economic Research Center (MERC). The survey, now in its 11th year, gauges the outlook and intentions of business leaders across the region, in addition to highlighting employer concerns. In 2024, 176 total employers took part, a 14% increase in participation over the 2023 survey.

• Community Profiles (Individual profiles are available at the linked "Reports & Data" page of our website, with a distinct link for each community's profile): Each year, the 495/MetroWest Partnership publishes economic and demographic profiles of each of our 36 cities and towns. Data points presented in each community profile include population changes, educational attainment, commuting patterns, housing information, occupations and industries, and more.