Short-Form Writing
February 2018 - April 2019
Client Newsletter Copy
Massachusetts Design Art and Technology Institute (DATMA) Officially Launches
The Massachusetts Design Art and Technology Institute (DATMA) is a new 21st century museum based in New Bedford, MA. The “museum without walls” will showcase contemporary art, technology and design through exhibitions featuring international artists. DATMA will develop an array of programs to highlight cultural life in the SouthCoast region while tying in local artists and organizations. Longtime New Bedford resident and well-known local artist Lindsay Miś has been named Executive Director.
The museum will be “non-collecting,” instead focusing on public art installations throughout New Bedford. The opening exhibit and program will be centered around a theme of wind and involve collaborative efforts between local, regional and international artists.
DATMA will use New Bedford’s warehouses, parks and public spaces to host art exhibits. Programming will focus on the intersection of art, technology and education through collaborations with UMass Dartmouth and the Tabor Academy Art Department. The museum will take a multidisciplinary approach to its installations and programs, with the goal of elevating New Bedford’s role as a center for arts and culture.
DATMA Receives $27,500 as their First Arts and Culture Grant
DATMA was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA) recently. The $27,500 in funding will support DATMA’s inaugural exhibit, Summer Winds, taking place summer of 2019.
CFSEMA aims to improve the quality of life in Southeastern Massachusetts by matching donors with cultural, educational and humanitarian organizations in the community. Since 1995, they have contributed over $25 million to the region’s arts and culture scene.
Summer Winds will be a city-wide art series that underscores New Bedford’s emerging leadership in the wind energy industry. The central pillar of Summer Winds will be the installation of “Liquid Shard” a 15,000 sq. ft. kinetic sculpture in Custom House Square by the internationally acclaimed Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics. Featured most recently in Los Angeles, Liquid Shard will serve as the centerpiece to a three-month long array of educational programming, a film series and “pop ups” that engage art, technology and design.
New Bedford Mayor Endorses DATMA
New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell has officially announced his support for DATMA following its launch in September. A longtime supporter of the city’s arts and civic community, the Mayor pledged to help promote DATMA’s Summer Winds exhibit with marketing, promotion and any infrastructure needs that may present themselves given the influx of visitors during the summer.
“An exhibition of this breadth, depth and scale is unprecedented in our city and it promises to draw considerable attention to New Bedford’s emergence as a center for the arts,” said Mayor Mitchell.
DATMA plans to install public art exhibits and “pop-ups” throughout the city, beginning with Summer Winds. The museum aims to enhance tourism and economic development in the region, while inspiring the public to engage with art in new ways.
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank:
Infrastructure Bank Celebrates 30 Years
As part of its annual Legislative Day event, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Rhode Island State House this past Tuesday, March 5.
The celebration featured remarks from Infrastructure Bank CEO Jeffrey Diehl, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, House Majority Leader Representative Joseph Shekarchi, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator William Conley and Director of the RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Janet Coit.
“The Infrastructure Bank is one of Rhode Island’s best-kept secrets and has saved Rhode Island communities millions in debt service payments over the last 30 years,” said General Treasurer and Infrastructure Bank board member Seth Magaziner.
“For the past three years, the Bank has migrated to an outward facing, customer-centric business model. This transition intends to make our programs more accessible to municipalities, business owners and homeowners,” said Infrastructure Bank CEO Jeffrey Diehl. “While there is more work to be done, I can confidently say we are beginning to see the impact of our efforts. This year will be a record year for the Bank and over 33% of our lending volume is coming from new business.”
Infrastructure Bank Addresses Water Contamination in Burrillville
The Infrastructure Bank has invested $2.85 million through a principal forgiveness loan to address water contamination in the Burrillville villages of Harrisville and Oakland. The Harrisville Fire District and Water Department (Harrisville Water) is utilizing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to replace Oakland Association’s current contaminated well-based system. This capital will allow Harrisville and Oakland homes to connect to municipally managed water in the late spring and early summer of 2019.
Researchers discovered high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wells managed by the Oakland Association and at private residences in Mapleville.
“Simply put, the Infrastructure Bank was the solution to our pollution. The entire Oakland Association community thanks the Infrastructure Bank for standing by us in our time of need,” said Richard Nolan, treasurer of the Oakland Association Water System.
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Launches Municipal Resilience Program
In partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the Infrastructure Bank launched the Municipal Resilience Program (MRP), a pilot that aims to equip municipalities with the tools and funds necessary to address the effects of climate change in Rhode Island.
The Bank is seeking three Rhode Island municipalities to be part of the initial pilot program. They will have access to technical assistance with The Nature Conservancy. After successful completion of the program, MRP municipalities will be eligible to apply for project implementation funding.
The program supports the goals outlined in the state’s Climate Resilience Action Strategy (Resilient Rhody) released by Governor Raimondo in 2018. Resilient Rhody outlined steps the state can take to prepare for evolving weather patterns and severe weather events. The MRP enables municipalities to accurately assess their vulnerability to the stressors of climate change, while providing the necessary funding to take on specific community resilience projects.
All cities and towns are eligible to apply, but only three municipalities will be selected for initial funding. Responses are due March 29, 2019.
For more information click here.
Infrastructure Bank Launches Online Application Portal System
Municipalities and businesses seeking to apply for one of the Infrastructure Bank’s diverse financing programs may now utilize a new online portal system. Applicants must set up a username and password to log into the Online Financing Application Portal and access the appropriate applications.
Applications are now available and may be viewed here.
For borrowers initiating projects that will need funding in fiscal year 2020, applications are due no later than March 22, 2019.
Brownfield Listening Session w/ RI DEM
The Infrastructure Bank and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM) offered a listening session on the Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund recently. The organizations partnered to bring awareness to the program, discuss case study examples, offer assistance and answer questions
The loan fund makes financing available to public, private and non-profit borrowers for the remediation of properties contaminated with hazardous substances. For a project to be eligible for financing, it must be placed on DEM’s Project Priority List. The program allows for the transformation of previously hazardous spaces into useful pieces of land.
Client Quotes
Below is a list of quotes I have drafted for clients. They appeared in press releases and newsletters developed for clients of my former firm.
Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank:
"The Infrastructure Bank’s expanded mandate allows us to provide competitive financing to a wide variety of infrastructure projects throughout Rhode Island,” said Executive Director and CEO of the Infrastructure Bank Jeffrey Diehl. “The Bank looks forward to working more closely with cities and towns to finance more climate resilience infrastructure projects and develop specific resilience plans for communities through the Municipal Resilience Project.”
Quonset Development Corporation:
“The QDC is excited about the continued success of the Port of Davisville,” said QDC Managing Director Steven King. “Access to the Port is instrumental in the success of the 200+ businesses that call Quonset home and we’re thrilled to see what 2019 holds for the Port.”
“We are thrilled to welcome another year of growth at the Port of Davisville,” said Port Director Bob Blackburn. “The record-breaking is evidence of our hard work. We look forward to further success with the upcoming improvements to Pier 2, the ‘workhorse’ of the Port, and the continued support of the Quonset Development Corporation.”
Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns:
“Our Annual Convention is an opportunity for municipal leaders from our 39 cities and towns to come together to talk about the many important issues they face as government officials in Rhode Island,” said Brian Daniels, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns. “The League is thankful to all workshop and panel participants who generously donated their time and efforts to make this year’s conference successful.”