Here's What Sudbury Would Get From New MA Economic Development Bill

SHREWSBURY, MA — The state Senate last week passed its $2.86 billion economic development bill, promising millions for local projects in cities and towns across the state — although the final version of the proposal still has a long way to go.

The Senate's bill is the chamber's own take on economic development proposals from the state House and Gov. Maura Healey. The Senate bill has been sent back to the House for reconciliation ahead of a July 31 deadline for the end of this session — a deadline lawmakers have blown by many times before.

The economic development bill authorizes the state to borrow billions for larger initiatives aimed at stimulating the climate technology and life sciences sectors. But there's plenty in the proposal for local initiatives, too.

Here's what Sudbury would get, according to the law passed last week:

• $100,000 for recruitment and funding of an economic development coordinator position
• $35,000 for the implementation of Locally Grown Sudbury, including Sudbury grown fairs, a climate resilient food security engagement series, a farmers' market feasibility plan

The Senate bill is also packed with several other notable policy initiatives, including allowing Massachusetts bars and restaurants to have "happy hour," a vote against putting the Worcester-based Cannabis Control Commission into receivership and including 18-year-olds in the juvenile justice system.