MA Realtors join #InvestinWaterMA coalition

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® (MAR), the leading voice in Massachusetts real estate and advocate for its more than 26,000 members and for property owners across the Commonwealth, this week became the latest organization to join the fast-growing #InvestInWaterMA coalition.

Organized by the Utility Contractors Association of New England (UCANE), the #InvestInWaterMA campaign is dedicated to ensuring that investment in critically important water, sewer, and wastewater infrastructure gets the top priority it deserves as state and federal officials are allocating infrastructure and COVID relief funds.

“Strong, reliable water and sewer infrastructure is critical to addressing the state’s housing shortage and building healthy communities across Massachusetts,’’ said MAR Chief Executive Officer Theresa Hatton. “The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® recognizes the importance of water infrastructure and the key benefits it provides by enabling smart growth development and flood protection to our communities. We hope that state and local governments will make funding critically needed water infrastructure projects a priority.”

Founded in 1924, MAR has made its mission to support its colleagues and communities by advancing the capabilities of REALTORS® and supporting legislation that protects property owners and REALTORS® across the Bay State. MAR promotes public policy initiatives that provide equal access to housing and opportunity for all.

MAR joins a rapidly growing list of coalition members that now includes the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBIO), NAIOP Massachusetts, the 495/MetroWest Partnership, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Water Works Association, the Wastewater Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the New England Water Works Association, and the Charles River Watershed Association.

Jeff Mahoney, UCANE executive director and a lead organizer of the #InvestInWaterMA coalition, said: “We’re honored, excited, and deeply grateful to add the support of the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® for the #InvestInWaterMA campaign. On top of all the other reasons to support investment water infrastructure—public health, environmental protection, and smart growth and economic development—we know that REALTORS® all across our state especially recognize how much strong, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure protect and enhance residential and commercial property values and communities’ quality of life.’’

Through public presentations, a comprehensive social-media campaign, media outreach, and a billboard along Route 1 in Sharon near Gillette Stadium, the #InvestInWaterMA coalition has been constantly promoting over the last nine months the need for and benefits of water and wastewater infrastructure investment.

“From Beacon Hill to city and town halls and town meetings across the Commonwealth, many critical decisions will be made in 2022 about where and how to invest billions of newly available infrastructure dollars,’’ Mahoney added. “One of the key messages that MAR and our other coalition partners will help us get out is how important it is for municipal decisionmakers and voters to follow through with the local approvals that can unlock federal and state funds and get us moving on long-overdue, critically needed water infrastructure upgrades.’’

Organized in 1924, the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is a professional trade organization with more than 26,000 members. The term REALTOR® is registered as the exclusive designation of members of the National Association of REALTORS® who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and enjoy continuing education programs.

The Utility Contractors' Association of New England, Inc. (UCANE) is a trade association comprised of over 250 major contractors and associated business men and women who design, build, finance, insure, bond, and supply materials and equipment to the underground water and sewer construction industry. UCANE's membership includes utility construction businesses of all sizes, ranging from large to small, family-owned companies, including both union and non-union companies and minority and women business enterprises.