Wakefield Main Streets Launches Commonwealth Places Crowdfunding Campaign

April 05, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com

Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com

Paul Dinocco, Wakefield Main Streets, 781-223-0340
wakefieldmainstreets@gmail.com

MassDevelopment and the Wakefield Main Streets today announced a new campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative. Revitalizing Wakefield Main Street will use funds raised from the campaign to install year-round tree lighting and add wayfinding signage and bench seating along the length of Wakefield’s Main Street. This project aims to improve the vibrancy, connectivity and walkability of Downtown Wakefield for residents and visitors alike.

“This community-directed initiative to revitalize the Wakefield Main Street area will bring new life to the town of Wakefield,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “MassDevelopment is pleased to collaborate with Patronicity in support of this campaign, which enhances our ongoing commitment to support growth and economic development of cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth.”  

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $29,000 by May 31, 2017, at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate Patronicity.com/Wakefield.   

“We’ve got good infrastructure, a wide Main Street, and wide sidewalks, but we’re not making the most of it,” said Sharon Gilley, Director of the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library, which is located on Main Street in Wakefield. “If we can highlight and celebrate our downtown, we can enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives here.”

Commonwealth Places is a collaborative effort from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. The program has supported successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis.  Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces. 

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2016, MassDevelopment financed or managed 352 projects generating investment of more than $4 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 8,200 jobs and build or rehabilitate about 4,200 residential units.