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Date: 6/14/2022
MONSON/WARE – The towns of Monson and Ware were recipients of a sum of the $2.1 million in awards through the Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO) Grant Program.
On May 18, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the funding of 38 projects that will strengthen the state’s economy on a regional basis by supporting small businesses, business growth and economic recovery within the downtown and main streets.
According to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, “The REDO grant program was established in partnership with the Legislature and is administered by the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. The program provides competitive grants that are awarded to applicants based on the ability to successfully support businesses through proposals that account for the varying regional needs of the Commonwealth’s economy.”
In this second round of REDO awards, the town of Monson will receive $15,000 for downtown business, economic growth and diversity through events and organization of local business and civic association.
Dan Laroche, director of Community Development in Monson, said this goes back two years to when the Department of Housing and Community Development came up with a local recovery plan. He said Monson took part in the plan as a way to recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic.
Through this grant, Laroche said the town is responsible for developing a plan in the downtown area to attract its residents and visitors. “We don’t have an event developed at this point,” he said, although they are working on creating something new. He added that the town is in the beginning stages of creating a Monson Business and Civic Association. Laroche encourages interested folks to become involved within the community.
Whether this be an event or series that the town puts on, Laroche said they need to host it before the end of the calendar year.
The REDO grant also awarded Monson with $60,000 for downtown business and economic development through placemaking, signage and beautification.
Laroche said they plan to add some planters to the downtown area, along with wayfinder signage. Some places for the signage might include the Keep Homestead Museum, Peaked Mountain and East Hill, said Laroche. He noted that this will help direct people to places and attractions in town.
Laroche said this is “some glue” to hold together the beginnings of the Civic Business Association.
He added that with this grant, they are hoping to explore outdoor dining opportunities. To assist the town, Laroche said they will bring in “some subject matter experts.”
Similar to Monson, Ware will receive $30,000 for town hall signage. Town Manager Stuart Beckley said Rob Watchilla, town planner, submitted a grant application for a digital sign and was accepted.
Beckley said the town has been wanting a digital sign to display outside of the Ware Town Hall, 126 Main St. “It will help keep the public better informed,” said Beckley.
He said they should be receiving the funding by the end of this month, or early July. By the end of the summer, he said they should hopefully have the new sign.
Gov. Charlie Baker said, “With the REDO program, our administration can continue supporting efforts that help drive economic growth based on the needs of each individual region of the commonwealth.”
He added that by strengthening the current businesses and working to attract new ones in these areas, will benefit each region economically with the support of this program.
“By helping regional economic organizations execute on solutions that best address the individual needs and challenges of each of the state’s regions, we can accelerate our progress toward economic recovery,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
REDO grant recipients’ efforts will consist of assessing competitive strengths, marketing their respective regions, providing assistance to businesses and industrial prospects which may locate in the region, among others.
Mike Kennealy, Housing and Economic Development secretary said, “REDO’s flexibility allows us to take a targeted approach to supporting our small business, which helps ensure our economic recovery is evenly distributed and statewide.”
Examples of other eligible grants include non-construction facade improvements, continuation of pop-up businesses and projects that support enhanced foot traffic and local commerce, to name a few.