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Daily Update 8/5: Commitment to South Coast Rail

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Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Today: Wednesday, August 5, 2009

 

  • This morning Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray met with the New Bedford Standard Times editorial board in New Bedford.
  • Later this morning, Governor Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Murray joined Congressmen Jim McGovern and Barney Frank in New Bedford to make an announcement relative to the South Coast Rail project.
  • This afternoon, Governor Patrick meets with the Fall River Herald News editorial board.

 

In the Press:

Governor Patrick continued his town hall meeting series at the Groton Public Library Gazebo last night.

 

  • Commitment to South Coast Rail – As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state’s economic future, Governor Patrick today released the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan. The plan estimates the South Coast Rail project will stimulate nearly $500 million in new economic activity and raise household income by more than $150 million, while creating thousands of new jobs. The plan makes a direct connection between maintaining the region’s natural assets and economic development.  “By thoughtfully planning for rail as part of a larger economic development plan, we can create great places for people to live and work near the stations, curb sprawl development, and preserve the farms, fields and forests that make the South Coast so special,” said Governor Patrick. “These investments will continue our efforts to revitalize the SouthCoast economy and spur growth throughout Massachusetts.” Learn more here.

Governor Patrick listens to a Groton resident’s question at the town hall meeting.

 

  • Governor of the Whole Commonwealth – Yesterday, Governor Patrick traveled to Fitchburg, Leominster and Groton. In the morning he met with local business owners, cultural leaders, and residents at Fitchburg State College to discuss how to promote economic development opportunities within the creative economy. He then traveled to Leominster to meet with young people who are benefiting from the state’s summer jobs program at the Trustees of Reservations’ Doyle Conservation Center. Read more about his visit to Fitchburg in the Sentinel and Enterprise here and here.

 

  • Continuing his Town Hall Meeting tour, Governor Patrick met with residents in Groton last night.  “After introductions by Selectmen Chairman Peter Cunningham, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton and state Rep. Robert Hargraves, R-Groton, Patrick opened the event by noting the state is faced with ‘profound economic challenges’ that would leave a $1 billion hole in the budget even if the state laid off all of its workers. ‘Yet, I'm still hopeful; there is an opportunity in every crisis,’ Patrick said, touting the state's efforts for ethics, transportation and pension reforms as good examples of "seizing" the opportunities. Read more about the Groton Town Hall in the Lowell Sun.

 

This Week:

  • On Saturday morning, Governor Patrick attended the Boston Basketball League Championship at Iacono Park.
  • On Saturday, Governor Patrick attended the Steven P. Odom Peace Charity Tournament in Roxbury.
  • Yesterday, Governor Patrick traveled to North Central Massachusetts to participate in a Creative Economy Tourism Roundtable at Fitchburg State College and meet with the Sentinel & Enterprise editorial board.
  • Monday afternoon, Governor Patrick met with participants in a youth summer jobs program in Leominster.
  • Last night, Governor Patrick held a town hall meeting at the Groton Public Library Gazebo. Learn more about the Governor’s Summer Town Hall Tour here.