Regional Grant Supports Business Recovery And Minuteman Bikeway

LEXINGTON, MA — Lexington, Bedford and Arlington were awarded a Local Rapid Recovery Planning grant by the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative.

The goal of the LRRP program is to give every municipality in Massachusetts the opportunity to develop plans tailored to the unique economic challenges and immediate COVID-19 impacts that have affected downtowns, town centers and commercial areas throughout Massachusetts. The three towns are working to figure out how to use the Minuteman Bikeway to drive more customers to their business districts as a recovery strategy from the pandemic. The grant will focus on this project. Arlington Heights, East Lexington, and Bedford Center will be areas of specific focus.

"Arlington's commercial districts are a key part of our community and our identity as a Town. Partnering with Lexington and Bedford on this project will leverage an important regional asset in the Minuteman Bikeway, with an average of 3,000 users per day, to our local business' benefit," said Adam Chapdelaine, Arlington's Town Manager.

The project starts in mid-March and will include a thorough analysis and exploration of COVID-related challenges and barriers.

“Our communities have a long history of working together, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the Towns of Lexington and Arlington to leverage the important regional asset of the Minuteman Bikeway to benefit our businesses and community. We hope to encourage both residents and visitors using the Bikeway to bike and shop locally,” stated Sarah Stanton, Bedford Town Manager.

The grant will help the towns develop a marketing and branding plan based on the Minuteman Bikeway.

“This joint effort will allow Lexington, Bedford, and Arlington to work towards creating a recovery plan that will help local businesses increase foot-traffic and support a sustainable economic growth strategy post-COVID-19 pandemic leveraging the local asset that’s a common link between the three communities,” said James Malloy, Lexington’s Town Manager.