MAPC and Groundwork USA invite municipal and agency staff, community organizations and members, and renewable energy developers to join a virtual workshop on the potential of Brownfields to Brightfields (B2B) to advance equitable community development. B2B projects repurpose brownfields sites – land with known or potential hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants – with solar energy installations on ground-mounted arrays, building rooftops, or canopy structures. 

This workshop will share findings on models for B2B projects that advance equity and community benefits, highlighting real-world examples, challenges, and opportunities. Participants will learn about a new mapping tool for identifying potential B2B sites in Massachusetts and have the opportunity to lay the groundwork for future B2B project partnerships. 

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This project was made possible with support from EPA’s Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization. The event is free and preregistration is required. Register here and contact Julie Curti (jcurti@mapc.org) or Adi Nochur (adi@groundworkusa.org) with any questions.

Please join us for this webinar to learn more about a new MAPC Section 3A decision-making support tool! 

Background
In 2021, the Massachusetts Legislature added a new section to the state’s Zoning Act (MGL Chapter 40A) — MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Requirement (Section 3A) — that requires each municipality in the MBTA district to zone for by-right multifamily housing near transit stations or smart growth locations. 

MAPC has developed an interactive MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Requirement (Section 3A) District Suitability Analysis Tool to help municipalities within the MAPC region identify locations for 3A zoning districts that also advance regional and local goals. 

Visit the 3A webpage

This Webinar
MAPC staff will provide an overview of the tool’s use and showcase how it may be applied, in tandem with stakeholder-driven processes, to facilitate conversations around areas suitable for new housing production. 

Register to join us for this event

Questions? Please contact:
Emma Battaglia (ebattaglia@mapc.org)

Join the MAPC Economic Development Team for this webinar to learn more about three funding opportunities available now through the Commonwealth.

The presentation will provide insight into how MAPC can support your municipality to prepare and apply for grants available through the Commonwealth.

• Julie Pierce, Economic Development Director, Town of Acton
• Patrick Shannon, Community One Stop Coordinator, Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development. (EOED)

Register to join us for this webinar

We will discuss the following grant opportunities:

• EEA Planning Assistance Grants – Coming in April, due in May
• Community One Stop for Growth – Now open, due June 5th
• Community Compact Cabinet Best Practices Program – coming in August, due on a rolling basis until all funds run out

Questions? Please contact Gurdeep Kaur (gkaur@mapc.org)

EPA Region 1 continues to work on the development of a permit referred to as an “RDA Permit” – that will regulate stormwater run-off in the Charles, Mystic and Neponset River Watersheds.

In this webinar, the EPA will discuss the background and current development of the RDA permit, the types of actions that the permit will require, and will answer questions. The EPA is particularly interested in hearing from municipalities about how this permit can best be implemented to meet local as well as federal clean water goals.

For those unable to attend the presentation, there will be a chance after the draft permit is issued later this year, to provide comments to the EPA.

Register for the Webinar