MassDevelopment awarded $390,000 in grants to Massachusetts' Gateway Cities to rebuild downtown business districts struggling from the aftereffects of the pandemic. Photo courtesy of George Durante.

Nine Gateway Cities will receive a combined $390,000 in MassDevelopment grants for programs ranging from lease subsidies to facade improvements designed to help downtown business districts bounce back from the COVID-19 business downturn.

The state economic development agency is partnering with local communities and organizations on an assortment of strategies to bring more business and foot traffic to the areas. MassDevelopment announced the following awards in the latest round of its Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) program, which encourages revitalization of dense, walkable downtown districts in the 26 Gateway Cities:

Attleboro: A $35,000 grant to the city of Attleboro will develop signage to benefit small downtown businesses.

Brockton: A $35,000 garnet will active vacant downtown storefronts with food, drink and performances in a partnership with the PROVA! Pop-up restaurant incubator.

Chelsea: The Chelsea Business Foundation will use $30,000 to upgrade restaurants’ outdoor dining and help guide Latinx-owned businesses through permitting. A $35,000 grant will be used for sign improvements.

Chicopee: The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce will use $30,000 to market the Chicopee TDI district, including creation of a web site on local businesses.

Fall River: The Bristol County Chamber Foundation will use $65,000 to hire a full-time downtown coordinator and pay for marketing materials, 

Fitchburg: Fitchburg State University received $40,000 for storefront improvements, technical assistance and lease subsidies for startups.

Lawrence: The Essex Art Center will improve wayfinding for pedestrians and vehicles in the Island and Canal street corridor, using $30,000 for new visual markers, sidewalk art and a temporary flower field installation.

Springfield: The city’s Business Improvement District received $30,000 for a placemaking, marketing and events to support its Destination Downtown Initiative which aims to increase foot traffic.

Worcester: The Main South Community Development Corp. will use $60,000 for a branding and marketing plan including new banners for light poles on Main Street and decals for local businesses, and facade upgrades on the 818-830 Main St. block.

During the first five years of the TDI program, MassDevelopment has invested $18 million in Gateway Cities.