Community Development Priorities
We believe that Somernova succeeds when every aspect of the Somerville ecosystem thrives.
To achieve that objective, we are proposing five community development priorities. As part of the campus expansion, these priorities will help support the most vulnerable communities in Somerville.
Somernova is committed to developing a 25,000 SF facility and supporting a 10x-year operating budget for the Youth-drive, Multigenerational Community Center.
A place where community, culture, and industry intersect. A space for connecting people of all ages and backgrounds through immersive learning, cultural experiences, and fun. Working in partnership with Somerville Education Foundation (SEFI. Somernova is committed to empowering young people with the resources and tools they need to thrive.
Total investment of $30 Million
25,000 SF center delivered as part of Block 1, the first phase of the Campus expansion
Capital investment in the construction and fit-out of the Center
10x years of operating expenses covered = $372,000/ yr (Total = $4.Sm)
Youth-driven, Multigenerational Community Center
One of the biggest challenges facing Somerville’s most underserved populations is housing.
Through a $27.9M Housing linkage fee, Somernova’s expansion will significantly contribute to the Somerville Community Housing Trust. This significant financial contribution will greatly increase the aid needed for the creation of Affordable Housing throughout the Somerville.
Somerville Housing Trust
The development has the potential to create up to 11,868 new employment opportunities, including 5,849 permanent and 6,019 construction-related jobs. In addition, the $5.5 million dollars allocated to the jobs trust will be used to fund workforce development and training programs, with the goal of increasing access to employment opportunities for all residents of Somerville.
Jobs Creation
Climate and Equity Priorities
Somernova’s campus expansion is designed to bring innovation and resources to people and people to innovation through access, opportunity, and pathways to jobs.
Somernova has already started social equity initiatives; Somernova has been equipping students at the Mystic Learning Center and the Argenziano with robotics and coding skills. We have worked with the City's Department of Racial and Social Justice, Somerville Community Corporation, The Robotics Team, and Cambridge Health Alliance, among many other local non-profits. We will continue to do so. The Climate & Equity Overlay District will help Somernova ensure that the most vulnerable populations are not left behind as we transition to a more sustainable future.
The Climate & Equity Overlay District will support Climatetech start-ups and help foster their growth. Somernova is also committed to ensuring that youth, the most vulnerable populations, and the Somerville community at large see this plan's benefits through the various social innovation goals made possible through the campus expansion.
Somernova will design landscapes that seamlessly integrate habitat creation and natural systems into civic spaces, thoroughfares, and open spaces at ground level and above.
$5.5 Million in seed funding investment
Designed through an equity lens to serve as a funding vehicle providing opportunities to those marginalized and unserved populations in Somerville regarding entrepreneurship and innovation.
Establish a working group that shall comprise members of the Somerville community.
Establish, with the community and working group, a minimum percentage of the annual funding allocated to address the needs of women and minority independent business owners. climate-tech founders, and change agents.
Somernova commits the total seed funding over ten years.
Through reinvestment in local enterprises, we expect the Fund's impact to grow annually and, over time, become a self-sustaining source of funds creating a new generational cycle of opportunity.
