Post date: Feb 01, 2021 2:2:15 PM
Last month, Chamber of Commerce took the lead to submit a Local Rapid Recovery Planning grant to the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative. This is one the programs that the state has expanded to assist businesses in COVID recovery. It provides technical assistance for evaluating and developing plans for strengthening business community.
Received notice that it has been approved.
LRRP Technical Assistance Contact:
An official letter has been sent to the CEO listed in your LRRP application notifying your community it will be receiving LRRP Technical Assistance .
Excerpt from the letter-
On behalf of Governor Charles D. Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn E. Polito, I am pleased to inform you that [your community] will receive technical assistance from the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative’s (MDI) Local Rapid Recovery Planning program. We recognize that the impacts of the COVID-19 health emergency have dramatically affected local businesses. Your efforts to explore solutions and projects to help revitalize businesses in your community are an effective way to plan for economic recovery. Congratulations and thank you for this effort.
The timing for the Rapid Recovery planning under the MDI program has shifted to allow the planning to extend beyond June 30, 2021. We expect the process will take place over an approximate 5-month period starting in late February. You will be matched with a consultant or regional planning agency that will facilitate the plan. You may also get one-on-one support from specific subject matter experts depending on the needs of your community. In addition to the one-on-one technical assistance you will receive, there will be a series of webinars to introduce you to the Rapid Recovery Planning process.
I will be notifying you of the Plan Facilitator for your community by mid/late February. A webinar will also be scheduled to begin the planning process. The staff of the LRRP program are looking forward to working with you and your community to strategically address the impacts of COVID-19 on your downtown and commercial areas.
Best - Emmy
Emmy Hahn / MDI/LRRP Program Coordinator