On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives voted affirmatively to pass the Conference Committee bill on the expansion of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC). This expansion would allow Boston, and Massachusetts as a whole, to increase their share of the $263 billion meeting and convention industry in the United States.
State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and State Representative Nick Collins have been the leaders on this issue from filing the legislation, to building a strong statewide coalition of colleagues and championing the final passage of the bill through the legislature.
“The overwhelming support of my colleagues shows the merit of this project. The expansion is a win-win for our state by creating jobs and expanding economic opportunity,” said Senator Forry. “Since November 2013, Rep. Collins and I held numerous meetings with stakeholders from across the city and state to ensure that this legislation would provide economic opportunity for all, particularly businesses owned by women, people of color, and veterans,” concluded Sen. Forry.
“Expanding the BCEC will bring badly needed jobs, job training programs and economic opportunity with access to all residents across Boston and the region. Making Boston and Massachusetts more competitive in the meetings and convention industry, makes us more competitive at every level,” said Representative Collins. “I was proud to lead the charge in the House with my co-sponsor Senator Forry doing likewise in the Senate. With the overwhelming support for the passage of this bill, it is clear that Boston is on the move,” concluded Rep. Collins.
