FRAMINGHAM, MA – Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matthew Amorello will come to Framingham next week to present to the START Framingham Partnership and Friends of Saxonville a $16,000 award intended to bring more visitors to Framingham.

The two organizations collaborated on a proposal to the MTA’s Tourism Office with the overall purpose of building Framingham as a cultural destination. The money will allow them to produce coordinated promotional materials that will make the traveling public more aware of the many artistic and cultural opportunities in town, including those originating in the downtown area, in Saxonville, on the Centre Common, in artists’ studios and in the many venues where art is being produced and experienced.

One of the first tasks of the START Partnership will be to convert its Cultural Audit, which formed the basis for the online Framingham Cultural Directory (framinghamma.gov/cultural) into marketing tools for these cultural events.

Friends of Saxonville intends to undertake a marketing campaign to promote its four current initiatives: Historic Athenaeum Hall, the Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail, the recently restored Danforth Bridge and Saxonville’s Historic Walk.

"This tourism promotion grant is a great beginning for this year's "Spring into Arts" events all over Framingham", State Representative Debby Blumer stated. “I'm particularly pleased that the START Partnership and Friends of Saxonville are being recognized for their contributions to our active, vibrant community."

Mr. Amorello will be at the Ablondi Room in the Memorial Building at 3pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 to officially present this award to START and Friends of Saxonville. A reception will follow the presentation.

The Mission of the START Framingham Partnership is to strengthen community life in Framingham and contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the town by broadening, deepening and diversifying participation in the arts and cultural activities. START is supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the CARLISLE Foundation of Framingham, MA as well as the Town of Framingham, Framingham-based businesses and many dedicated volunteers.

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