Legislature Passes Tourism Bureau Bill

While state legislators and the governor did not come to an agreement on casino legislation over the weekend, they did agree on an economic development bill, which creates a MetroWest Tourism and Visitors Bureau.

The measure is part of a series of reforms to the state's economic development system sponsored by State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth.

The bill also includes the creation of sales tax holidays on Aug. 14 and 15 and it aims to give more control to regional economic development agencies. Two new programs were created as well, including the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp., which will help market the state to new businesses and help small businesses access capital.

In addition to the MetroWest Tourism Bureau, the bill also creates the Johnny Appleseed Trail Association Inc. and the Hampshire County Tourism and Visitors Bureau.

According to Spilka's office, the governor is expected to sign the legislation, which has passed both the state House of Representatives and Senate. Officials in the region have already taken the first steps toward formalizing a MetroWest Tourism Bureau after a nonprofit organization was founded earlier this year.