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Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 21, 2025 Metropolitan Area Planning Council Awards More Than $440k to 31 Local Projects Arlington, Ashland, Boxborough, Cambridge, Chelsea, Danvers, Dedham, Everett, Framingham, Gloucester, Hopkinton, Hull, Littleton, Lynn, Malden, Marblehead, Melrose, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, Randolph, Revere, Rockland, Salem, Somerville, Watertown, and Weymouth receive technical assistance to advance strategic regional priorities. B OSTON – Thirty-one municipal and regional projects in the Greater Boston region will soon be able to leverage more than $440,000 to advance regional priorities in housing production, climate resilience, economic development, and culture thanks to the latest round of technical assistance funding from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). MAPC, one of 13 regional planning agencies (RPAs) in the state, offers technical assistance grants each year that help advance the goals identified in Greater Boston’s regional land use and policy plan, MetroCommon2050. All 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region are encouraged each year to apply for the Technical Assistance Program (TAP), which helps municipalities take on critical work that they do not have the capacity to address on their own. Many Massachusetts communities have limited professional planning capacity to help shape their future economic development, transportation, housing, green spaces, and municipal facilities. RPAs help with these essential tasks – everything from updating stormwater guidelines and managing data to preparing economic development plans.The TAP and most of RPAs’ work is primarily funded through District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) – dollars the Legislature and Governor appropriate annually and are distributed to all RPAs, including MAPC. “A larger portion of this year’s TAP grants support projects that cross municipal lines. We are very glad to see that the critical DLTA funding from Beacon Hill is being used to take action on long-term regional goals and bring communities together across municipal lines,” said MAPC Executive Director Marc Draisen. The initial set of TAP-funded projects for FY25 supports cities and towns collaborating to advance program priorities and regional goals. $176,500 toward breaking down barriers to housing, increasing economic mobility and positive health outcomes, emergency preparedness, and public safety:  Ashland - Community Resiliency Hub Plan  Boxborough - Economic Development Plan  Cambridge - Furthering Inclusive Environments  Dedham - Implementation of Health and Humans Service structure  Everett - Housing Production Plan Implementation  Hopkinton - Economic Development Plan  Lynn - Implementation of Community Health Initiatives  Randolph - Community Wellness Project  Revere – Economic Feasibility Analysis and Inclusionary Zoning  Rockland - Housing Production Plan & Open Space and Recreation Plan  Salem - Jefferson Avenue Corridor Study  Somerville - Community Food Assessment and Action Plan  Somerville - Fair Housing Engagement  Weymouth - Dwyer Mountain Ch 40R Plan $170,000 toward multiple communities working together to better understand and address shared challenges:  MAGIC Subregion – Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Roundtable  SWAP Subregion – Regional Housing Strategy  Marblehead, Littleton, Danvers - ADU Bylaw Updates  Natick, Framingham, Ashland - Metrowest Climate Equity Outreach  Hull, Scituate, Hingham, Cohasset, and Norwell - Multi-Community Resilience and Recovery Project  Gloucester, NSTF Subregion - North Shore Emergency Preparation and Sustainability Conference  Arlington, Watertown, Malden - Community Engagement Foundations  MAPC Region - DEI Coalition  Chelsea, Revere - North Suffolk Schools Zero Carbon Action Strategy  MAPC Region – Metro Mayors Climate Task Force and Housing Task Force $95,000 toward projects that advance additional MetroCommon2050 goals:  Gloucester - Digital Equity Public Wifi Feasibility Study  Malden – Climate Action Plan Implementation  Needham - Municipal Parking Lot Solar Canopy Resource Guide  Lynn - Cultural Plan  Melrose - Memorial Hall Building Strategic Plan  Somerville - Cultural Trust Establishment Technical assistance is also funded through annual assessments from MAPC’s member municipalities, grants from private foundations, leveraged grants from state programs, and fee-forservice contributions from cities and towns. TAP applications are accepted on a rolling basis and additional awards may be announced later in the year. “With the current uncertainty in funding sources that municipalities typically rely upon, TAP is a vehicle to continue the important work planners and municipal staff are advancing across our region,” said Gloria Huangpu, community engagement planner and TAP coordinator. “This funding equips MAPC and our member municipalities to collaborate and create a more equitable, sustainable, and livable region.” Read more about TAP at mapc. ma/TAP. Red Cross Giving Day, March 26, rallies 30,000 supporters to deliver aid when help can’t wait after disasters Financial and blood donations are needed now B OSTON, MARCH 17, 2025 — The Red Cross of Massachusetts is issuing a call to help ensure no one faces a disaster alone by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 26. During the first 50 days of 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to more big disasters in the U.S. than days — And that’s on top of everyday crises like home fires that have upended lives here in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, more Red Cross blood donations have gone uncollected so far this year due to weather than throughout all of 2024. During the first 50 days of 2025, Red Cross volunteers responded to more big disasters in the U.S. than calendar days. Since January, 27 Red Cross volunteers from Massachusetts have deployed to help communities recovering from disasters like the devastating Los Angeles wildfires and severe flooding in Kentucky. And that’s on top of everyday crises like home fires that have upended lives here in the Bay State. Our local disaster action teams have responded to 140 home fires, assisting more than 847 people in Massachusetts during January and February. Meanwhile, more Red Cross blood donations have gone uncollected so far this year due to weather than throughout all of 2024. “This year’s disasters have set a whirlwind pace, displacing thousands of people from their homes across the country and disrupting the nation’s blood supply for patients,” said Kelly Isenor, director of communications for the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. “As we enter spring disaster season, families are relying on us to come together as a community and support them when help can’t wait during future crises. Join us today by making a financial donation or giving blood or platelets.” Visit redcross.org today to make a financial donation or schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets in March: MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION: Donations will be part of Red Cross Giving Day, which aims to rally 30,000 individuals to help people affected by disasters big and small. A gift of any size makes a difference. For example, a donation of $3 can provide a comfort kit with supplies like a toothbrush, comb and shampoo, and a gift of $11 can provide a nutritious meal, snack and drink. For those who are able, any donor who gives $140 or more in March will receive a choice of a Red Cross monopack or a pair of socks as a thank-you for supporting our mission. Donors can make their gift and claim their thank-you by visiting redcross. org any time during March. GIVE BLOOD OR PLATELETS: To help overcome the significant weather impact on blood donations, the Red Cross also urges the public to give lifesaving blood or platelets by making an appointment today at RedCrossBlood.org, on the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. People of all blood types are needed now to help avoid further strain to the blood supply. The Red Cross is expanding its health offerings by performing free A1C testing (commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes) on successful blood, platelet and plasma donations in March. Additionally, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/March for details on both offers.

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