February 15, 2022

This afternoon, the Baker-Polito Administration announced an historic expansion of the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), a MassDevelopment program for Gateway Cities designed to accelerate economic growth within focused districts. The announcement more than doubles the size of the program, which currently operates TDI districts in five Gateway Cities. All told, this represents an historic $23.7 investment in our Gateway Cities over three years.

TDI concentrates economic development activities, resources, and investments within designated neighborhood areas, known as “TDI districts,” for a term of two to four years. New Bedford’s Acushnet Avenue/North End was named a TDI district.

Transformative Development strategy has long been a priority of the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus, of which Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral (D-New Bedford) serves as Co-Chair, alongside Senator Eric Lesser (D-Springfield). The concept of turning this strategy into a comprehensive policy dates back to 2013, when Rep. Cabral first filed legislation to make the TDI a reality. Provisions from the bill created TDI at Mass Development, marking a major legislative victory for the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus. Since then, the GCLC has successfully led the charge to increase funding for the TDI operating budget by boosting its line item to $1million year after year – and will continue to do so because the benefits of this initiative speak for themselves.

TDI works with cross-sector partnerships in targeted commercial districts in Gateway Cities in order to engage community members, implement local economic development initiatives, and spur further public and private investment. Since 2015, MassDevelopment has invested $20 million in TDI districts through tools such as technical assistance, real estate investments, grant programs, and fellows who work in the districts. TDI fellows provide on-the-ground economic development expertise and collaborative leadership in these cities. “We know how successful this model is because of the work of our first TDI Fellow for the Downtown NB TDI District a few years ago,” explained Rep. Cabral. “His expertise and guidance were critical for helping launch much of the development in the creative economy we benefit from today.”

“As the Chair of the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus, we have long championed the TDI program,” stated Rep. Cabral. “Today we gathered at Hatch Studios to celebrate the expansion of the program with MassDevelopment. This partnership will see continued commitment to investments and urban development designed to revitalize our neighborhoods. The work currently being spearheaded by Love the Ave, a community-led project, to revitalize Acushnet Avenue, our own International Marketplace, is remarkable. Empowering local leaders to improve their neighborhoods and communities is what TDI is all about, and I’m excited to see what comes next for The Ave, the heart of New Bedford’s North End.”