An Act relative to transformative development initiatives in rural communities

This bill directs the Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development to create a new program aimed at fostering economic growth in rural areas. Administered through the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, the initiative will offer technical assistance to help communities identify strategies for job creation, business expansion, and local economic development. The program will also focus on building cross-sector partnerships and encouraging active participation from community members in planning efforts. It specifically targets the Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire counties by establishing a formal process for these transformative development initiatives.