August 2012 News from MACDC - CDPA becomes law

The Massachusetts Association of

Community Development Corporations

AUGUST 2012

E-NEWSLETTER

Community Development Partnership Act Becomes Law

On Tuesday, August 7, 2012, Governor Deval Patrick signed The Community Development Partnership Act into law. Included as part of the larger Economic Massachusetts State House

Development Bill, the law creates the Community Investment Tax Credit which will increase private philanthropy for re-building neighborhoods and towns and provide greater economic opportunity for families and individuals across the state. The new tax credit will begin in 2014 and spur economic activity through the creation and preservation of homes, jobs, and local businesses and help to ensure that our economic recovery reaches all of our communities. During FY2013 there will be a $1.5 million grant program to support CDCs as they develop their plans. MACDC predicts that over the seven years, a state investment of $34.5 million will support an economic impact of approximately $2 billion across the Commonwealth.

"This is, by far, the most significant piece of legislation for the community development field in thirty years" said MACDC President and CEO Joe Kriesberg. "Our members and allies came together to create a program that will transform how communities address local issues" he continued.

Senator Sal DiDomenico and Rep Linda Dorcena Forry jointly testify on behalf of CDPA in October 2011.

MACDC particularly notes the strong leadership of Representative Linda Dorcena Forry and Senator Sal DiDomenico who were the lead sponsors along with 44 other legislators of the bill. "Their leadership was instrumental in ensuring this bill became a law" noted Kriesberg.

The Administration next must plan for implementing both the one year grant program and the Community Investment Tax Credit. MACDC will keep members and allies informed as the moves forward.

For more information about the Community Development Partnership Act, please contact Joe Kriesberg.

MACDC Turns 30 Years Old - Save the Date, November 16th

To honor 30 years of advocacy and support for the Community Development movement, and to kick off our fourth decade, MACDC will be hosting our 30th Anniversary Celebration on Friday, November 16, 2012 from 8:00 to 10:00 AM in the State Room at 60 State St in Boston. At this event we will honor several leaders in our field, including two individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to community economic development - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the President of the Boston Foundation, Paul Grogan.

For more information about MACDC's 30th Anniversary Celebration, please contact Joe Kriesberg. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring the event please complete this form and send it to Joe.

MACDC Members Secure Over $500K in Funding for Small Business Development

Small businesses across the state will get some extra help thanks to a new round of state funding for CDCs and other small business development organizations. The Small Business Technical Assistance Grants were announced earlier this month by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). These grants will support technical assistance programs for underserved small businesses, in particular those located in low and moderate income communities. Nearly $700,000 in funding will be provided in FY13, with $554,000 going to a total of 15 MACDC members receiving funds either directly or through a collaboration.

MACDC members funded were:

Accion
Coastal Community Capital
Community Development Partnership & Cape Cod Hook Fisherman Collaboration
Community Economic Development Center of SE MA
Merrimack Valley Small Business Center
Franklin County CDC/Hilltown CDC/Valley CDC Collaboration
Jamaica Plain NDC
Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corporation
Quaboag Valley CDC/ Southern Worcester County CDC
Twin Cities/Greater Gardner CDC/RCAP Collaboration

MGCC added a new component to the program this year by providing extra grants of about $3,000 to help groups implement better performance tracking systems and software. MACDC plans to partner with MGCC to provide assistance and training to these organizations to help them with this process. The goal is to be able to better document the impact of these efforts at the client, organizational and statewide levels.

For more information about the Small Business Technical Assistance Grant Program, contact Joe Kriesberg.

MACDC Weighs In on State Policy for Allocating Housing Subsidies

MACDC submitted verbal and written testimony on DHCD's Amended Draft 2012 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP), which establishes DHCD policy for reviewing applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credits and other funding for affordable rental housing. At DHCD's Public Hearing on July 20th, MACDC Senior Policy Advocate Don Bianchi praised DHCD for its thoughtful process and for more intentionally aligning its funding decisions with the Commonwealth's housing and community development priorities. He also communicated specific MACDC recommendations, including:

More clearly articulating how projects that advance broader community development goals will be favored in the scoring and allocation process;
Allocating more of the state's flexible resources to smaller rental housing developments than has been the practice in recent rounds when less than 20% of those dollars were used for such projects.
Establishing portfolio-wide goals to further its priorities, based on the precedent established by the Commonwealth's MassWorks Infrastructure Program.

MACDC submitted its detailed written comments on July 27th. For questions about MACDC's comments on the Draft QAP and related issues, you can contact Don Bianchi.

Staff Transitions at MACDC

This month, MACDC is saying farewell to Advocacy Director Allison Staton. Since coming to MACDC in 2007, Allison led our efforts in the State House where she helped to pass two foreclosure relief laws, the "expiring use" law, the CDC certification law and the newly passed Community Development Partnership Act.

Allison has decided to leave MACDC to stay home as her twin sons transition into middle school and daughter begins the third grade. She also has written two novels (not about community development) and hopes, while the kids are in school, to work on getting them published.

"Allison deserves much of the credit for stewarding the CDPA legislation through the State House over the past two years and its enactment is tangible evidence of her skill and commitment," said MACDC President Joseph Kriesberg. "We all deeply appreciate everything Allison has done for MACDC over the past five years. We will miss her greatly, but wish her success and joy in all of her future endeavors."

Please reach out to either Joe or Pam for advocacy or policy issues.

Also, Mel King Institute Program Associate Julie Tschirhart will be staying at MACDC as a program associate through the end of November. She will be managing the website and other communication efforts and helping with the 30th Anniversary Celebration.

MACDC Members Meet for Strategic Planning

More than 50 MACDC members met at the Wachusett Village Inn in Westminster in early August to help craft the organization's next multi-year strategic plan. MACDC's current plan runs through December 2012 so the Retreat provided an opportunity to reflect on both strengths and weaknesses and discuss key priorities for moving forward. Led by consultants Maria Elena Letona and Judy Freiwirth, members talked about how MACDC can better support its members, the larger community development field, and continue our strong advocacy track record. Much of the discussion focused on how to implement The Community Development Partnership Act, even though at the time of the retreat the bill had not yet been signed. Members agreed that implementation of CDPA should be a focus in the coming years. Another key priority that emerged in the discussion was the importance of MACDC serving as a convener of its members and the broader field to discuss and address key challenges and opportunities.

MACDC plans to complete its new strategic plan by the end of the 2012.

MACDC's Job Postings

MACDC provides job postings on our website for members and supporting organizations to publicize employment opportunities. This month's highlight positions are:

Graduate Intern - MACDC
Account Manager/Development Accountant, Nuestra CDC
Director of Asset Management, The Community Builders
Program Manager, CHAPA

Please send your job postings via email to Rosa Nin.

MACDC's Calendar - promote your event

MACDC provides a calendar on our website for members and supporting organizations to publicize their events including Annual Meetings, Ribbon Cuttings and fundraisers. Please tell us about your events by sending an email to Rosa Nin.

@macdcs

@mkinstitute

@jkriesberg