An Act to support rural job creation and business expansion

This bill directs the Secretary of Economic Development to create a new rural development initiative aimed at helping rural communities in Massachusetts create jobs and expand businesses. The program will be managed through a contract with the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency and will work closely with the Rural Policy Advisory Commission to design its strategies. Key activities include offering technical assistance to identify investment opportunities, fostering partnerships between different sectors, and engaging local residents in economic planning. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to provide concrete support for local economic development efforts in rural areas without specifying particular funding amounts or guaranteed outcomes.