The Greater Ohio Policy Center, in partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (LILP), has been studying statewide policies that support legacy cities in addressing weak-market neighborhoods. MassDevelopment, the finance and development authority for the State of Massachusetts, launched the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) to catalyze significant private investment and neighborhood redevelopment in downtowns and other walkable urban districts. TDI encourages economic activity in targeted areas and builds local government capacity to support the revitalization of some of the state’s most disadvantaged communities, demonstrating how states can promote an equitable distribution of development.

All Gateway Cities (the state’s statutorily defined smaller legacy cities) are eligible for specific TDI programs. Gateway Cities have populations between 35,000 and 250,000 and have both median household incomes and college-educated populations below state levels.  Currently 17 of the state’s 26 cities are participating in the initiative and have established an active TDI district.  Districts are often located in downtowns and must have a walkable, dense physical environment, measured by a five-minute walking radius. MassDevelopment administers the program and provides technical assistance, grants, and real estate investment to encourage economic growth in the key districts.

Municipalities must respond to a “Call for TDI Districts,” released by MassDevelopment, and apply to participate in TDI. MassDevelopment then conducts application reviews, site visits, and works with applicants to refine and affirm their districts and needs. If selected, districts in Gateway Cities are eligible for consultant technical assistance, grants, and real estate investments from MassDevelopment. The TDI program also offers a fellowship program for mid-career economic development professionals to work with cities on enhancing their districts over a 3-year period. TDI supports cross-sector partnerships, utilizing both MassDevelopment and partner agency tools, recognizing that MassDevelopment support alone cannot achieve full community revitalization.

During the first three and a half years of the program, MassDevelopment invested $13.5 million in the TDI districts, which directly influenced over $39.8 million and assisted an additional $80.6 million of public and private investments in the districts. As a result of technical assistance, seed grants, and equity investments, dozens of businesses have opened, underutilized buildings have reactivated, and execution of capacity-building plans is happening.

To learn more about TDI, visit the MassDevelopment website: https://www.massdevelopment.com/what-we-offer/key-initiatives/tdi/

Cover photo courtesy of MassDevelopment.