WORCESTER, MA — Principal Michael Jacobs is featured in Worcester Business Journal’s news article: “Enforcing the win-win: Worcester’s assertive moves are less likely to scare developers than macroeconomic forces” with comments on Worcester’s recent assertive moves to ensure fairness in its dealings with developers. These moves include the decertification of Unum’s tax break, the adoption of inclusionary zoning policies, and the call for increased enforcement of local and diverse workforce goals. Jacobs believes that the City of Worcester has maintained a pro-development stance in recent years, and he credits skilled and dedicated city employees for facilitating this approach. He also suggests that the recent decertification of Unum’s tax break is unlikely to deter incoming developers from viewing Worcester as developer-friendly.
Jacobs acknowledges that inclusionary zoning policies may impact market-rate developers’ decisions, as they may perceive affordable units as potentially affecting their profits. However, he notes that affordable housing developers typically receive public assistance, which offsets their costs. Additionally, he highlights the flexibility of Worcester’s inclusionary zoning policy and its potential for adaptation based on changing market conditions. Jacobs mentions the City’s efforts to promote workforce diversity by setting goals for developers to hire Worcester residents, people of color, women, and subcontractors located within 30 miles of the city, particularly for projects receiving tax-increment financing or tax-increment exemption.
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Read more from Worcester Business Journal, HERE.
Article by WBJ: HERE
