Town is one of 20 across the commonwealth to receive $15,000 award
Shrewsbury – Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Janelle Chan recently announced that Shrewsbury was one of 20 communities across the state to receive a state grant through the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI). The town will receive $15,000 towards implementing a Wayfinding/Branding Strategy for the downtown district.
In all, $300,000 was awarded through the MDI. The initiative provides communities with $15,000 grants to pursue projects that support downtown development and encourage growth. Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $1 million to over 30 communities through the MDI.
The MDI provides municipalities with resources to engage expert consultants on downtown revitalization, according to a press release from the Mass. Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. Consultants may provide technical assistance in one of seven areas, including district management, design, downtown economics, housing, branding and wayfinding, downtown mobility, and small business support. Communities may undertake a number of eligible activities through this grant program, including planning exercises, parking management strategy development, and new branding and signage to enhance their downtown.
The initiative is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, and funded by the Community Development Block Grant program.