The Massachusetts Port Authority Executive Director and CEO Virginia Buckingham today presented the City of Chelsea with $1,000,000 in economic assistance. Joining Buckingham at a city hall gathering were: Congressman Michael Capuano; Senate President Thomas Birmingham; State Representatives Gene OFlaherty and Kathy Reinstein; City Manager Guy Santagate; City Council President Paul Nowicki and fellow city councillors; Director of Economic Development and Planning Jay Ash; Massports Director of the Tobin Memorial Bridge, Mary Jane OMeara and Director of Goverment and Community Affairs Thomas Butler.

Buckingham presented the Chelsea Economic Development and Planning Department a $500,000 grant as well as a $500,000 amendment to the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) program. Massports active community outreach program includes several initiatives within the city of Chelsea.

The Economic Development grant provides for the planning and coordination of services that facilitate off-airport support development. Other Massport programs include the Clean and Green Program where local Chelsea and Charlestown college students are paid to serve as community clean up crews to our Tobin neighbors as well as to help maintain the beautification of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce Business District.

Massport has been working with city officials to approve the Chelsea Gateway Project, a landscaping and beautification design program to enhance properties abutting the Tobin bridge. Massport regularly sponsors Chelsea social, civic, youth and senior organizations.

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