BCA Awarded $40,000 from MOBD Regional Pilot Program
On April 15th the Baker-Polito Administration announced 37 grants totaling $5 million were awarded to cities, towns, and non-profit entities through the MOBD Regional Pilot Project Grant Program. This program was established to support recovery solutions based on the specific economic needs of individual regions of the Commonwealth and was designed to fund projects that uniquely address local concerns.
The Belchertown Community Alliance (BCA) is proud to be the recipient of $40,000 from this grant program to help fund a multimedia interactive mobile app that will support revitalization of economic growth through virtual and regional tourism in Belchertown and Ware, Ma.
BCA is partnering with the town of Belchertown and the town of Ware, including organizations that reside in each, to address loss of foot traffic and economic activity throughout the past year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In 2020 both towns have seen reduced regional tourism and community exploration due to restrictions placed and lack of desire to travel. Both Ware and Belchertown’s historic museums, the Stone House and The Ware Center Meeting House have been closed for tours during this time. Quabbin’s visitor center and Tower, a shared recreational resource and regional tourist attraction, have also been closed to visitors during the recent months. Historical attractions such as these being closed to the public greatly reduces the number of regional tourists driving through the adjacent towns. This reduction of tourism directly correlates to reduced spending at local gas stations, coffee shops, restaurants, and retail locations thus hindering the economic viability of such businesses in these trying times.
The BCA is in the process of developing a multimedia interactive mobile app as an innovative way to address this reduction of regional tourism and stagnant economic growth by providing a service in which both Belchertown and Ware’s economy benefit. The mobile app will contain interactive geolocation sensitive maps highlighting areas of significance through a variety of digital content such as photos, video, text, and audio. It will be game based - challenging users to visit as many of the highlighted locations as possible. With the possibility of expanding and adding content, we plan to attract visitors to come back time and time again.
Historically even in non-Covid times Ware and Belchertown are used as a passthrough for commuters travelling to other more developed city-like locations in our region. Through full development, branding, marketing, and execution of this interactive mobile app, Belchertown and Ware can reclaim regional tourism by offering a unique experience unlike anything currently offered in Hampshire County. The more we highlight our shared resources and experiences the more the public will come out to enjoy them immediately impacting economic development in our region. This mobile app will act as a bridge between our communities that already have so much in common.
In the times of Covid and beyond, having friends who will support you and hold you up are more important than ever. This project is a great opportunity for our two communities to build that friendship and partnership to focus on economic development and stability for the whole region. This grant would not have been possible without the continued support of the Belchertown Select Board, Belchertown Town Planner, Belchertown Cultural Council, Belchertown Historical Society, Clapp Memorial Library, Ware Historical Commission, Ware Town Manager, Workshop 13, and Ware Business and Civic Association. Many hands make light work.
Official press release of the MOBD Regional Pilot Project Grant Program recipients