Bill > S304

This bill updates the definition of a "gateway municipality" in Massachusetts state law by modifying an existing provision in Chapter 23A. Currently, a gateway municipality is defined as a municipality with a population between 35,000 and 250,000, with a median household income below the state average and a rate of bachelor's degree attainment also below the state average. The proposed change expands this definition to allow two or more municipalities to collectively qualify as a gateway municipality if they form an inter-municipal agreement and meet the population, income, and educational attainment criteria as a combined entity. This modification could provide more flexibility for smaller communities to access economic development resources and programs typically reserved for gateway municipalities by allowing them to collaborate and meet the statutory requirements together. The bill aims to support economic development and emerging technologies in municipalities that might not individually qualify under the original definition.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S304