Amherst Downtown BID Executive Director Gabrielle Gould appointed to Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council

The Amherst Business Improvement District is proud to announce the appointment of its Executive Director, Gabrielle Gould, to the Massachusetts Economic Assistance Coordinating Council. Appointed by Governor Charlie Baker, Gabrielle will be the Western Massachusetts representative on the 7-person committee. In her dual roles as leader of the Amherst BID and as unpaid Executive Director of the Downtown Amherst Foundation, Gabrielle’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic was remarkable. During this time, she’d forged close connections and collaboration with the Downtown BIDs across Massachusetts, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Amherst to mitigate the pandemic’s impacts on local businesses. She and her small but mighty team made clear and direct positive impact in the community, raising over $400,000 toward small business relief, as well as creating and implementing programs like the Take The Pledge to Support Downtown, the Dinner Delights Program, The Green Ticket Support Local Campaign and more, all while advocating for Amherst businesses to the state, local, and federal agencies.

Barry Roberts, President of the Amherst BID: “She has been tireless in her commitment to all of Amherst. Thinking outside of the box, challenging norms, all while listening to the business needs of very different businesses and then addressing them head-on.” “I look forward to serving the Governor, the State and my community on this committee,” says Gabrielle. “It’s a true honor to represent Western Massachusetts in this important work.”

The EACC shall administer the economic development incentive program and, in so doing, shall be empowered to exercise the following powers and duties: promulgate rules and regulations and prescribe procedures to effectuate the purposes of sections three A to three H, inclusive; review applications from municipalities for the designation of areas as economic target areas and economic opportunity areas and to make such designations; certify projects for participation in the economic development incentive program and establish regulations for evaluating the proposals of said projects; certify and approve tax increment financing agreements and special tax assessments pursuant to section 3F and clause (vii) of section 59 of chapter 40. Assist municipalities in obtaining state and federal resources and assistance for certified projects and other job creation and retention opportunities within the commonwealth; provide appropriate coordination with other state programs, agencies, authorities and public instrumentalities to enable certified projects and other job creation and retention opportunities to be more effectively promoted by the commonwealth; and monitor the implementation and operation of the economic development incentive program.

The Amherst BID’s mission is to supplement town of Amherst services and to create a special destination that includes welcoming public spaces, a sense of vibrancy through marketing, special events and experiences that appeal to all ages.