The Rural Policy Advisory Commission was created by the legislature in 2015. The Commission is governed under M.G.L. Chapter 23A: Section 66.
The commission will serve as a research body for issues critical to the welfare and vitality of rural communities and shall:
- study
- review
- report on the status of rural communities and residents in the commonwealth
- advise the general court and the executive branch of the impact of existing and proposed state laws, policies and regulations on rural communities
- advance legislative and policy solutions that address rural needs
- advocate to ensure that rural communities receive a fair share of state investment
- promote collaboration among rural communities to improve efficiency in delivery of services
- develop and support new leadership in rural communities.
Rural Policy Plan
In October of 2019 the Rural Policy Commission unveiled the Rural Policy Plan to help realize opportunities in rural Massachusetts.
Legislation
Legislative Report
Members
Anne Gobi (Secretary of Economic Development or Designee)
Senator Paul Mark (Senate President or Designee)
Jay Coburn (Cape Cod Commission)
Wendy Hudson (Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission)
Trish Settles (Central Massachusetts Regional Planning District Commission)
Judy Terry (Pioneer Valley Planning Commission)
Bill Veno (Martha’s Vineyard Commission)
Linda Dunlavy (Franklin Regional Council of Governments)
Brian Bullock (At-Large)
Dave Christopolis (At-Large)
Donna Hamel (At-Large)
Sara Smiarowski (At-Large)
Thomas Matuszko (Berkshire Regional Planning Commission)
VACANT (Montachusett Regional Planning Commission)
Staff
Anne Gobi
Executive Office of Economic Development
Commission Meetings
January 06, 2017 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
CMRP, 2 Washington Square- Union Station, Worcester, MA
March 10, 2017 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
House Member's Lounge - Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - March 10 2017
April 28, 2017 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
Room 437 - Massachusetts State House, Boston, MA RPAC
RPAC Meeting Minutes - April 28, 2017
June 23, 2017 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
Franklin Regional Council of Governments, 12 Olive Street, Greenfield, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - June 23, 2017
September 8, 2017 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
Truro Community Center, 7 Standish Way, North Truro, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - September 8, 2017
January 12, 2018 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, 2 Washington Square - Union Station, Worcester, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - January 12, 2018
March 9, 2018 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
MA State House, Room 350, 3rd Floor - Boston, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2018
June 15, 2018 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Greenfield, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - June 15, 2018
Sept. 14, 2018 Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting
Provincetown Town Hall, Provincetown, MA
RPAC Meeting Minutes - Sept.14, 2018
Rural Policy Advisory Commission Open Meetings
2023
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - June 9, 2023
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - April 14, 2023
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Feb 10, 2023
2022
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Feb 11, 2022
RPAC - Special Meeting - March 4, 2022
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - April 8, 2022
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - June 10, 2022
2021
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Jan. 14, 2021
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - February 12, 2021
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - April 9, 2021
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - June 9, 2021
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - October 8, 2021
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - December 10, 2021
2020
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Jan. 23, 2020
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - April 27, 2020
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - June 25, 2020
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - October 9, 2020
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - December 11, 2020
2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Jan. 11, 2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - March 8, 2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - March 15, 2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - June 10, 2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - July 30, 2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Sept. 23, 2019
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - Dec. 17, 2019
2018
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - Sept 14 2018
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - June 15, 2018
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - March 09, 2018
RPAC-Open Meeting Notice - January 12, 2018
2017
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - November 1, 2017 Rural Caucus
RPAC - Open Meeting Notice - September 8, 2017
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - June 23, 2017
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - April 28, 2017
RPAC- Open Meeting Notice - March 10, 2017
RPAC - Workforce-Demographics Open Meeting Notice 03.09.17
RPAC - Econ Dev Working Group - Open Meeting - March 8 2017
RPAC-Infrastructure Working Group Meeting - February 15,2017
Rural Policy Advisory Commission Meeting - January 6, 2017
Research
Analysis of Demographic Data 5-9-17
RPAC Municipal Survey Results 2017
MHP Center for Housing Data Presentation
EOHED: Economic Development Bill Review
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission- Housing Plan (2014)
2015 Plan for Progress (Economic Development)
Berkshire County Age Friendly Survey 2015
Berkshire County Residential Aging in Place Workbook
WHO| Global Age-friendly Cities: A Guide
APA Aging in Community Policy Guide
Blackstone Valley Prioritization Plan, 2012
Central Thirteen Prioritization Plan, 2012
Rural 11 Prioritization Plan, 2013 Report
Special Commission on Rural Access: Report to the General Court & Governor, 2013
Housing and Neighborhoods Chapter
Economy Chapter
Infrastructure and Services Chapter
Sustainable Franklin County Plan (2013)
Cape Cod Commission Regional Policy Plan (2009)
Martha’s Vineyard Planning Commission List of Studies and Reports
White Paper on Rural Housing in Massachusetts
Strategic Plan: Last Mile Program Guidelines for Unserved Towns
Report: Transportation Study
Report: Your Place is the Highlands