Plymouth, MA — October 26, 2018 — Today, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito joined Plymouth Town Manager Melissa Arrighi, Plymouth Selectmen Chairman Ken Tavares, Senator Vinny deMacedo, Representative Mathew Muratore, developer Mike Hogan of A.D. Makepeace Company and other local and state officials to announce a $1 million MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant for the reconstruction of Wareham Road.

The MassWorks funds will extend utilities and rebuild 4,500 linear feet along Wareham Road that services the Redbrook Master Planned Community in South Plymouth. Wareham Road also connects to Routes 3 and 24 and the planned improvements will improve traffic flow and increase pedestrian safety.

“Our Administration is committed to investing in programs like MassWorks, which impact not only local infrastructure, but also play a critical role in strengthening businesses and the communities that surround them,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “MassWorks is one of many administration initiatives that enable local communities to tap into private investment and accelerate local economic growth across the Commonwealth.”

“I am excited to be in Plymouth to award $1 million in MassWorks funding for Wareham Road and to support the town’s Master Plan for development,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The Governor and I are pleased to continue to make the investments in the public infrastructure our cities and towns need to create sustainable growth.”

“Through the flexibility of MassWorks, we have been able to drive over two million square feet of new commercial space, made possible by listening to individual communities’ needs and by responding with individualized programs that benefit many stakeholders, such as this project in Plymouth, which will enable an important mixed used development project and improve the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.  “Our office saw another competitive round of MassWorks for 2018 and we are happy to keep the momentum going across the Commonwealth in the year ahead.”

Redbrook sits on 1,400 acres, with development planned for 400 acres. The MassWorks improvements will initiate the next phase of the Redbrook project, unlocking $67.2 million in investment and adding 80 townhomes, 184 apartments and about 6,500 feet of medical office space. At least $500,000 will be committed by A.D. Makepeace, Redbrook’s master developer and also the world’s largest cranberry producer.

At full build out, Redbrook will include 1,150 homes, up to 90,000 square feet of commercial space and about 1,000 acres of open space and recreation lands. At present, the site includes 180 single-family homes, a full-service YMCA, and community space with a restaurant and gathering areas.

“The Town of Plymouth is pleased to partner with Redbrook and A.D. Makepeace on this exciting and important project.  This infrastructure investment through the MassWorks Program will support Plymouth’s newest residents moving to a thoughtfully developed, compact neighborhood while preserving nearly 1,050 acres as open space,” said Plymouth Town Manager Melissa Arrighi.  “The MassWorks grant will provide necessary funding for significant roadway upgrades to a segment of Wareham Road. This work will vastly improve access and safety in the area, and encourage the full buildout of this innovate housing development.”

“Thank you to the Baker-Polito Administration for working with the Plymouth community on this project that will spur local and regional economic development,” said Senator Vinny deMacedo. “By partnering with Plymouth and local developers, this grant will open up the development of 400 acres in South Plymouth for over 350 housing units and commercial space that will benefit our entire community.”

“I am grateful to the Baker-Polito Administration for this MassWorks grant that will help improve road access and associated utilities needed to make way for increased workforce and affordable housing in South Plymouth,” said State Representative Mathew Muratore. “Wherever you go in the Commonwealth, the need for more affordable and workforce housing is a hot topic and I will continue to support initiatives that address this shortfall and keep it as one of my top priorities.”

“The project to reconstruct Wareham Road will provide ease of travel and development for the mixed-use village of Redbrook. Situated on 1,360 acres in South Plymouth, Redbrook will bring in new economic opportunities as well as housing and open spaces for the community to enjoy,” said Representative Randy Hunt.

Since 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded over $275 million in MassWorks grants to support 138 projects in 106 communities. MassWorks funding has been critical to the addition of over 2 million square feet of commercial/retail space, approximately 10,000 full and part time jobs, more than 7,000 immediate housing units, at least 7,000 square feet of new public space and 1,200 new hotel rooms.

Through the 2018 MassWorks round, the Administration will award more than $82 million in new grants for 40 projects that intend to leverage $2.9 billion in private investment, and drive an anticipated 4,000 units of new housing and more than 9,000 full time jobs. 37 communities across the Commonwealth will benefit from this round’s investments.

Governor Baker signed economic development legislation in August that includes substantial new funding for municipalities, including another $250 million for MassWorks awards. The legislation builds on the Baker-Polito Administration’s work to partner with communities to catalyze economic development and create new opportunities for residents across the Commonwealth, including the 2016 Job Creation and Workforce Development act, which authorized $1 billion to support economic development efforts across the state, including $500 million authorization for MassWorks Infrastructure Program, enhanced tools and the introduction of new strategies for job-readiness efforts.