An Act to support rural job creation and business expansion

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Natalie Blais and 2 co-sponsors

Creates a state-backed rural development initiative to attract investment, foster partnerships, and empower local economic planning, run via MassDevelopment.

Overview

HD 594 proposes to establish a formal rural development initiative within Massachusetts to spur direct investment, create jobs, and support business expansion in rural communities. The measure would add a new program framework to Chapter 6A of the General Laws and be administered through the executive office in partnership with MassDevelopment.

Purpose and intent

Create a dedicated rural development initiative to stimulate investment in rural areas.

Support job creation and business expansion by deploying technical assistance, facilitating cross-sector partnerships, and engaging community members in actionable planning.

Implement targeted local economic development initiatives responsive to rural needs.

Key provisions

Amend Chapter 6A, Section 16G by adding subsection (o).

The Secretary of Economic Development must, in consultation with the Rural Policy Advisory Commission, establish the rural development initiative.

The initiative will be administered by the executive office through a contract with the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment), per MassDevelopment’s statutory authority under Chapter 23G, Section 2.

Core activities include:

Providing technical assistance to identify and implement strategies that spur direct investment in rural communities.
Facilitating cross-sector partnerships.
Accelerating engagement of community members in actionable planning.
Implementing local economic development initiatives.

Affected parties and entities

Rural communities across Massachusetts.

Small and medium-sized rural businesses seeking growth and investment.

Local governments and regional planning entities in rural areas.

The Secretary of Economic Development and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development (as administering office).

MassDevelopment, which would implement the initiative via contract.

Rural Policy Advisory Commission, providing consultation.

Administrative and timeline considerations

No specific funding amount or appropriation is specified in the text provided.

No explicit start date or sunset date; implementation would follow the establishment of the initiative and execution of a contract with MassDevelopment.

The bill envisions ongoing administration through executive offices, subject to annual or ongoing appropriations.

Context and status

This proposal aligns with prior similar measures (House No. 404 from the 2023-2024 session).

Introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court as part of the Rural development policy framework.

Status in the current record is not provided beyond its introduction and filing details.

Bottom line: HD 594 would create a state-backed rural development initiative to attract direct investment, foster cross-sector partnerships, and empower rural communities to plan and implement local economic development, administered through a contract with MassDevelopment and guided by the Rural Policy Advisory Commission.

Bill