Wednesday, February 17, 2021
On January 14, 2021, Massachusetts’ Governor Charlie Baker signed a comprehensive economic development bill H.5250 (the “Act”) which aims to infuse more than $600 million into the pandemic-ravaged Massachusetts economy by supporting businesses, encouraging job growth, and spurring housing development. Included with the development and funding provisions, the Act revised portions of General Laws c. 40A (the “Zoning Act”) relating to appeals of municipal zoning decisions, thresholds for municipalities to enact or amend zoning bylaws and ordinances, and incentives for municipalities to encourage transit-oriented development, multifamily housing, and mixed-use development. Developers and municipalities alike should be encouraged by these changes which are aimed at boosting development across the Commonwealth.
Springfield’s CRRC rail car factory plays catch-up in 2021 as China relations, tariff fight ease
Updated Feb 15, 2021;
Posted Feb 15, 2021
MBTA staff operate one of the new Red Line cars made by CRRC in China. Additional Red Line cars will be assembled in Springfield.
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With less than a day to spare.
That’s par for the course for Chinese-owned CRRC MA, where work to replace aging Red Line and Orange Line cars is still about a year behind schedule. Problems with equipment, supplies and the workforce began even before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted both operations at the Springfield factory and its supply chain, which stretches back to China.
Massachusetts manufacturers struggle to fill critical jobs
Updated Feb 15, 2021;
Posted Feb 15, 2021
Springfield rail car manufacturer CRRC last fall hired 40 electrical engineers and 42 mechanical engineers to meet demands for the coming year and beyond. (Don Treeger / The Republican file photo)
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It has been one of the economic conundrums of the coronavirus pandemic: Unemployment rates rose to unprecedented levels, but some employers have been begging to fill jobs.
With the onset of the spread of COVID-19 triggering a state unemployment rate of 17.7% in June – the highest since the Great Depression – the pandemic led to a state-ordered shutdown of businesses. As a result, many companies furloughed workers, as others pivoted to find new ways of maintaining their business.
The nation just got through a vicious election season and now Massachusetts has officially embarked upon the 2022 campaign season. Blame, or credit, goes to former Pittsfield state Sen. Ben