Massachusetts Senate Passes the BRIGHT Act to Modernize and Invest in Public Higher Education Facilities

 Massachusetts Senate Passes the BRIGHT Act to Modernize and Invest in Public Higher Education Facilities 

Invests in Vital Repair Projects, Lab and Vocational Training Facilities, Campus Supported Housing Development 

 

(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate today unanimously passed the BRIGHT Act, a $3.28 billion bond bill that will invest in upgrades to public higher education campuses across Massachusetts and strengthen the learning experiences of students at community colleges, state universities, and UMass campuses. 

 

The legislation—S.2962, An Act to build resilient infrastructure to generate higher-ed transformation—will update facilities and address the backlog of deferred campus maintenance by harnessing the power of ‘Fair Share’ revenues to back a new state bond issuance.  

 

The generational investment package builds on recent Senate-led policies to make public higher education more affordable and accessible, including tuition-free community college and historic increases to financial aid. Recent advancements make a tuition- and fee-free education possible for all Pell-eligible students attending four-year universities, and allow students from moderate-income families to attend at half the cost. 

 

“Massachusetts students deserve campuses that match the quality of their ambition,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The BRIGHT Act will deliver just that: safe, modern, and energy-efficient classrooms that provide a strong foundation for academic and professional success for every student at every public institution in the Commonwealth. I applaud the education leaders who helped shape this bill, the faculty and staff who dedicate themselves to educating our residents, and the students who choose to pursue a world-class education at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities. I am especially grateful to Chair Comerford for her leadership on this issue, and to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Mark for their stewardship.” 

 

“The Senate has always made strategic investments in higher education a top priority, as we know that advanced education leads to a more highly skilled and compensated Massachusetts workforce. This comprehensive bond bill will help modernize aging college infrastructure and spur housing development in underutilized campus properties, providing a gateway for higher enrollment,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I have long been advocating for a higher education deferred maintenance bond bill, and this proposal is the result of a strong working collaboration between the Legislature, the Administration, and the Commonwealth’s public colleges and universities. This initiative also requires smart investment in climate resilience, ongoing decarbonization, and pursues other energy efficient priorities. I thank Senate President Spilka and Higher Education Chair Comerford for their leadership and work to move this legislation forward.” 

 

“Today, the Senate advanced urgently-needed legislation to transform public higher education infrastructure by leveraging Fair Share dollars to address deferred maintenance, modernize classrooms, and decarbonize campuses,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education. “I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for their steadfast leadership and commitment to investing in every facet of public higher education. With the BRIGHT Act, Massachusetts is choosing not to retreat in the face of federal attacks on higher education, but to build forward—creating healthier, more sustainable campuses that reflect the future we are preparing our students to lead.” 

 

An expected $2.5 billion worth of projects over the next 10 years will help cover deferred maintenance, repairs, and major capital projects through a mix of bonding and cash investments. Projects include lab modernization, workforce development facilities, and climate resilience and energy efficiency priorities. The bill will also provide support for public colleges and universities to turn unused campus property into housing or mixed-use developments, and simplify the process for selling or leasing surplus land. 

 

To finance BRIGHT Act projects, the legislation would dedicate $125 million per year from the ‘Fair Share’ surtax on high-earning households to create and back a new special revenue bond. The state collected roughly $3 billion in total Fair Share revenues in 2025. 

 

“The BRIGHT Act makes crucial investments in our public higher education campus facilities that will improve our competitive edge as a state, support equity, workforce development, and long-term growth, and promote increased economic activity including good paying jobs in the building trades, while also ensuring that our students, whether they live in the Berkshires, Boston, or anywhere in between, have access to high quality affordable public higher education,” said Senator Paul W. Mark (D-Becket), Acting Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. 

 

Looking beyond the funding and bonds that would be issued over the next 10 years, the bill ensures the state will permanently bolster the resources that are directed toward higher education capital projects. It requires that the annual $125 million stream of Fair Share surtax revenue continue to be directed toward higher education capital projects in perpetuity. 

 

Originally filed by the Governor, versions of the bill have been heard by the Joint Committee on Higher Education, reviewed by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets, passed by the House of Representatives, and redrafted by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The Senate version of the legislation was reported to the full body by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 19, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website. 

 

The $3.28 billion that the state would be authorized to issue in support of public higher education capital projects includes: 

 

·          $1.25 billion for projects on state university and community college campuses; 

·          $1.25 billion for projects on University of Massachusetts campuses; 

·          $120 million to support well-equipped laboratories at public higher education institutions, modern facilities to foster career-oriented collaboration between community colleges and vocational technical schools, and health facilities to promote students’ wellbeing; 

·          $100 million toward the creation of housing and mixed-use developments on campus properties; 

·          $100 million to advance regional economic and workforce development through a competitive grant program for equipment and facilities for career technical education and training programs; 

·          $275 million for the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) Tower Building, where high priority critical repairs are needed; 

·          $80 million for campus energy efficiency and decarbonization; 

·          $50 million for a competitive grant program for capital improvements at public higher education campuses, including climate resilience upgrades; 

·          $30 million for campus master planning; and 

·          $20 million for technology improvements that support students and facilitate remote and hybrid learning. 

 

Additional details of the bill are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

 

The Senate passed the bill on a 38-0 roll call vote and sent it to the House of Representatives for further review. 

Senate Modernizes Unit Pricing Law to Support Small Businesses

 Senate Modernizes Unit Pricing Law to Support Small Businesses 

Measure helps small businesses combat the impacts of inflation 

 

(BOSTON—2/26/2026) The Massachusetts Senate passed legislation today to support neighborhood bodegas, convenience stores, and small family-owned grocery shops by modernizing the unit pricing law.  

 

The bill ensures that smaller retailers will continue to be exempt from unit pricing requirements. Unit pricing, while a useful price-comparison tool for shoppers at big box stores and supermarkets, could pose a burden for smaller corner stores where unit price shopping is unlikely to occur. 

 

“Running into your local store is more than just picking up a few things, it’s about seeing familiar faces and supporting a local business in your community,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “While we work on systemic ways to lower costs for resident and businesses, this is a straightforward, common-sense change that is going to help businessowners who are feeling the pinch. I applaud Senator Moore for driving this issue forward and am thankful to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Payano for their stewardship.” 

 

“Small businesses are the economic engine of the Massachusetts marketplace economy, and we need to continue to support them as they try to compete against larger grocery stores and chain outlets. This bill will help smaller convenience stores and neighborhood markets stay economically viable by removing sales of Lottery products and gift cards from the annual sales equation,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With an ever-increasing proliferation of large-scale national chain grocery stores and big box retailers, supporting community stores will assist in leveling the playing field for our local community stores and markets.” 

 

Massachusetts has offered an exemption from unit pricing for more than two decades to retailers with lower sales volumes—defined as establishments that generate less than $5 million in in-store sales each year, including sales of Lottery products and gift cards. 

 

With the steady rise of inflation, introduction of higher-value Lottery products, and increased popularity of pre-paid gift cards, local businesses are more apt to exceed the exemption threshold. The legislation—S.2965, An Act updating the unit pricing exemption threshold—removes Lottery and gift card sales from the calculation of whether a store can be included in the statewide unit price exemption. 

 

During the course of today’s debate, Senators voted to amend the bill to codify an existing exemption that removes gasoline and other motor fuel sales from the calculation.  

 

“By exempting Lottery ticket and prepaid gift card sales from the unit pricing threshold calculation, we are helping ensure the financial health of our small, neighborhood convenience stores,” said Senator Pavel M. Payano (D-Lawrence), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure. “As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, I was proud to help advance this update, which strikes the right balance between protecting consumers and supporting our small businesses.” 

 

“The unit pricing exemption is a simple way to cut expenses for small businesses and support the communities they serve. However, in the two decades since the policy was written into law, the $5 million revenue threshold for the exemption has remained the same while the cost of products has risen significantly,” said Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury), the bill’s lead sponsor. “This legislation makes small tweaks to how a store’s revenue is calculated to ensure the law continues to apply to the corner stores and small businesses it was originally intended to protect. I’d like to thank Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for recognizing the importance of this issue for our local economies, as well as Senator Pavel Payano and his committee for upholding the spirit of consumer protection laws while making reasonable carveouts for small businessowners who are struggling in today’s economy.” 

 

The bill was reported to the full Senate by the Committee on Ways and Means with a 16-0 vote on February 23, 2026. All committee votes are posted on the Legislature’s website and full details of the legislation are available in a fact sheet in the Senate Press Room. 

 

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0

Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Additional Literacy Launch Institutes

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Early Literacy Training for Educators through Additional Literacy Launch Institutes  

Summer opportunities open now for registration to serve up to 1,000 educators  

EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the opening of registration for the Summer 2026 Literacy Launch Institutes, a statewide training opportunity focused on early literacy for educators working with children in pre-K through grade 3.

Part of the administration’s Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 initiative, the institutes provide hands-on, evidence-based professional learning to strengthen early literacy instruction. Launched in 2024, Literacy Launch remains a key pillar of Governor Healey’s investment in helping all children learn to read by third grade. Eligible educators can register for the institutes online.

In the summer of 2025, the first Literacy Launch Institutes reached over 500 educators. This year, the program has continued to serve educators in two weekend institutes in Worcester and Northampton. This summer’s four institutes will serve up to 1,000 more educators throughout the months of June, July and August. The summer 2026 schedule kicks off with institutes in Peabody and Marlborough in June. 

“It’s crucial for our teachers to have access to high-quality training to support all of their students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These institutes give hundreds of teachers and school and child care leaders the opportunity to learn cutting-edge, evidence-based literacy practices.” 

“With Literacy Launch Institutes, we’re advancing our commitment to equitable literacy education in Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “Public school and community-based pre-K early literacy educators can participate at no cost and learn the most up-to-date research and tools to help students succeed.” 

Jointly offered by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Literacy Launch Institutes provide four full days of in-person training. Educators will learn how to integrate evidence-based and culturally sustaining literacy instruction in diverse classrooms. Any Massachusetts public school educator who supports literacy instruction in grades pre-K–3 is eligible to register at no cost until registration is full. This includes classroom teachers, special education teachers, English as a second language teachers, school principals and district leaders. Higher education faculty and leaders who train pre-service teachers in early literacy are also eligible, as are community-based preschool teachers.  

“When educators are equipped with high-quality training and sustained support, students thrive,” said Acting Education Secretary and Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These institutes represent an important next step in building a literacy strategy that works for every learner.” 

“The first time we offered Literacy Launch Institutes, we had more demand than seats,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Pedro Martinez. “I was thrilled to see how many educators—both new and experienced—participated, and I’m glad to offer more institutes in 2026.” 

Massachusetts-based HILL for Literacy will facilitate the institutes. Teams that complete the program may be eligible to apply for additional in-school support during the 2026–27 school year. Participants will earn Professional Development Points (PDPs), and certain participants are eligible to receive a stipend for successful completion of an institute. 

The FY26 state budget includes $15 million for Literacy Launch, supporting educator training, district grants, and teacher preparation program alignment. Governor Healey’s FY27 budget continues this investment in early literacy with $25 million for the third year of Literacy Launch.

哈佛、MIT台灣同學會攜手辦春酒 PK熱舞、競猜名人合體照場面爆笑

MIT台灣同學會長張浩揚（右起）、哈佛共會長林語萱和沈子耕（左一）感謝
波士頓經文處長官出席。右三起，教育組長黃薳玉，處長廖朝宏、科技組長蔡孟勳。
（周菊子攝）

                   (Boston Orange周菊子麻州劍橋市報導)哈佛大學和麻省理工學院（MIT）的台灣同學會，2月22日在哈佛Lehman廳合辦馬年“春酒”，破冰交流，麻將賓果，競猜合體肖像本尊及歌名歌手，PK熱舞還抽獎，逾百人歡聚，爆笑不斷，讓人讚嘆台灣學生聰慧，活潑，人人愛。

哈佛、MIT馬年春酒逾140人報名。（周菊子攝）

                  麻州各校的台灣同學會，在新冠病毒疫情後，一度青黃不接，有些學校的學生會還就消失了，無以傳承。波士頓經文處教育組和新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會（FTSANE）努力奔走數年後，這才漸漸恢復熱絡，其中哈佛大學和麻省理工學院更因為前輩學長推動的體育比賽，有了更頻繁互動。

                  哈佛大學同學會會長林語萱、沈子耕和麻省理工學院同學會會長張浩揚、林宴平率兩校同學會幹部籌辦的這場“馬年春酒”，還破紀錄的有至少140人報名，不少動作慢的人還搶不到入場券，懊悔不已。

                  這場春酒由哈佛前共會長陳曦和MIT

MIT台灣同學會長張浩揚（右起）、哈佛共會長林語萱和沈子耕攜手舉辦馬年春酒。
MIT另一名會長林宴平人不在波士頓，未能出席。（周菊子攝）

幹部陳夢薇穿著紅白配，喜氣洋洋主持。波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏，科技組組長蔡孟勳，教育組組長黃薳玉，麻省理工學院建築系教授邵書珩，哈佛甘迺迪政府學院訪問學者謝英哲等嘉賓及社團首長出席。

                  廖朝宏處長在致詞時指出，要爭取未來有遠大發展，在優秀學歷外，人脈更是關鍵，希望學生們跨出各自的專業領域，多參加不同領域活動，和不同文化背景人士交流，把握住可能的未來貴人。他還感性叮嚀同學記住台灣是大家的根。

                  

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏鼓勵同學多參加不同活動，建立更廣人脈。（周菊子攝）

教育組組長黃薳玉代表教育部向同學們送上「馬上安康」等祝福，並說明教育部30年來第一次的高教人才永續發展暨美國攬才計劃訪問團，將於3月2日晚上6點起，在波士頓市的希爾頓公園廣場（Hilton Boston Park Plaza）舉行，歡迎同學們踴躍參加。為助興，黃薳玉組長當晚還捐出3個紅包，供已報名參加攬才活動的同學們抽獎。

教育組組長黃薳玉（左一）請同學們先報名參加攬才會再抽獎。（周菊子攝）

                  蔡孟勳組長原本是台灣大學生物科技研究所所長，被國科會借調來波士頓當科技組組長。預定今年9月返台述職。他指出，台灣學術界急需人才，3月2日的教育部攬才團是同學們了解各校的好機會，他願意以他自己在台大當教授，在委員會負責審查的經驗，來協助同學修改求職文件。

科技組組長蔡孟勳願意幫同學修改履歷。（周菊子攝）

                  新英格蘭台灣同學會聯合會（FTSANE），波士頓台灣人生物科技協會（BTBA），波士頓台灣影展協會（TFFB），紐英崙中華專業人士協會（NEACP）的會長，一一分享了各組織近況。

                  BTBA共會長楊志祥介紹該會已有14年歷史，今年7月18、19兩日的年會，將以「言詞鏗鏘有力：超越語言的流利表達(Speaking with Impact: Fluency beyond Language)」為主題，講者包括BeOne醫藥的全球項目管理資深副總裁Stephen Cho和哈佛醫學院免疫系系主任Arlene Sharpe等人，希望關注生物科技的同學及業界人士關注。

全場最火爆節目是MIT和哈佛熱舞PK。（周菊子攝）

                  FTSANE會長李典璋說明該會25日晚在波士頓大學也將舉辦一場“春酒”，3月4日和波士頓經文處，以及哈佛大學費正清中心合作，放映「看不見的國家（Invisible Nation）」，並邀請導演Vanessa Hope出席座談。

蔡孟勳組長、廖朝宏處長嘉許年輕的中華專協會長靳嚴博出來服務。（周菊子攝）

                  TFFB共會長林致中和蔡景全預告該會將於4月份舉辦春季影展，訂4月4日（週六）和藝術愛默生（ArtsEmerson）合作，放映金馬獎得獎影片「我家的事」，4月7日（週五）在尚默維爾市（Somerville）放映「大濛」。他們還帶了2組電影票，作為抽獎品。

BTBA共會長楊志祥預告該會年會7月18、19兩日舉行。（周菊子攝）

                  NEACP新任會長靳嚴博表示他自己7年前來到美國，從哈佛畢業後，做過研究員，現在自己開公司，做諮詢及投資。在學長的鼓勵下，他也希望自己能為來自台灣的年輕人出力。他還藉由自己在麥肯錫顧問公司做事時看到的印度裔提攜同胞的一個小故事，提點來自台灣同學，人脈和經驗對事業發展同樣重要。他鼓勵同學們2月28日到波士頓華埠的華人經濟發展協會大樓，參加中華專協的元宵慶祝會。

新英格蘭大波士頓台灣商會（TCCNE）會長賴怡音，紐英崙玉山科技協會（MJNE）會長許益祥，以及麻省理工學院同學會顧問陳韋同，在抽獎環節，一一上台為他們帶去的獎品抽出中獎者。

                  哈佛、MIT這兩校同學會在策劃這場馬年春晚時，顯然十分用心，不僅珍珠奶茶，燕窩飲品和中式美食，點心準備得十分充足，還安排有劉昕

TFFB共會長蔡景全（右一）和林致中（左一）送出電影票。（周菊子攝）

甯、蔡煜陽、高名震的鋼琴與大小提琴三重奏，個人演唱，把蔡英文和賴清德，張忠謀和郭台銘，黃仁勳和Elon Musk等人的肖像照片合成一體，要現場觀眾猜是用哪兩個人的照片合成的，把台下眾人笑得東倒西歪。

                  當然最讓人驚艷的還是哈佛和MIT的PK熱舞。哈佛的徐璟承、鍾寧真、葉卉榛熱舞一段Golden，MIT的劉正心、宋致遠、蘇琮凱跳一曲Soda Pop後，兩隊在合舞Uptown Funk

FTSANE會長李典璋預告3月4日放映「看不見的國家」。

，跳得有板有眼，還把兩校同學會的橫幅拿出來打頭陣，全場頓時熱情洋溢，各自加油，搖曳手機的手電筒燈光助陣，煞是熱鬧。

                  節目有趣，交流熱絡的這場春酒，最後在主辦單位派發每人一份，內裝刮刮樂彩券一張的紅包中歡喜落幕。

玉山科協會長許益祥（又）送出抽獎品。

MIT的宋致遠（又）抽中TCCNE會長賴怡音送出的抽獎品。

劉煜陽（左起）、高名震、劉昕甯表演三重奏。

MIT同學會顧問陳韋同也送出抽獎品。（周菊子攝）

哈佛同學會前會長黃玉婷（左）也贊助抽獎品。

哈佛前會長姚俊辰（左起），還在念大學的蘇寯祐，MIT學生會顧問陳韋同（中）
等同學圍桌聚餐。（周菊子攝）

司儀陳曦、陳夢葳的一身紅白搭配，喜氣十足。（周菊子攝）

哈佛甘迺迪政府學院訪問學者謝英哲和廖朝宏處長來張自拍。

你猜得出來嗎？

沈子耕把他的Meta眼鏡借給蔡孟勳組長試試。

台下搶答踴躍。

State of the Union Speech: A 2-Hour Disgraceful and Dehumanizing Display of Hate

State of the Union Speech: A 2-Hour Disgraceful and Dehumanizing Display of Hate  

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC Responds to President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, President Trump delivered a State of the Union address to a nation deeply divided by his actions and relentless hate speech. His remarks leaned on the hateful, inflammatory rhetoric that has become a signature of the Trump administration.  

 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) issues the following statement in response: 

 

“President Trump’s speech attempted to deceive the public and ask us to buy that our state of the union is strong when the reality is the past year of his regime has been marked with cruelty, violence and chaos. The Administration is trying to recast this country to align with their racist vision and normalize viewpoints that are unacceptable to the majority of Americans.  

 

“He trotted out victims of violence as political props but conspicuously absent were the families of Renée Good, Alex Pretti, and others murdered by ICE agents. We all want communities free from violence, including the violence deployed by our government, but it is unconscionable to vilify and attempt to dehumanize undocumented immigrants in this country.  

 

“This Administration has upended the livelihoods of millions of people through attacks on immigrant communities. Their intentions are rooted in baseless claims and attempt to redefine who gets to belong in this country through hateful policies and violence by erasing the contributions of communities of color nationwide. 

 

“The Trump administration is using fear and disinformation to interfere in the administration of free and fair elections. We believe voters elect their leaders. Leaders should not get to pick their voters. That is why we oppose the SAVE America Act and similar anti-voter bills that aim to take power from voters. We will continue to fight for a democracy that works for all. 

 

“President Trump has shown a blatant disregard for the Constitution, rule of law, and basic human rights. This version of America is far from united or ‘golden.’ We must hold this authoritarian regime accountable for the pain and suffering they have unnecessarily brought to our communities and for creating a system that goes against the America we deserve.  

 

“Congress has a responsibility to their constituents to stand firm in the face of injustice. Advancing Justice – AAJC is determined to continue the fight against any policy that seeks to disenfranchise and reverse the progress we have made over decades, and we will continue to advocate for equity. 

 

“Everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, deserves to live in safe communities where they can have the opportunity to thrive.” 

麻州政府撥款約200萬元資助市政及部落基礎設施計劃

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Nearly $2 Million for Municipal and Tribal Infrastructure Projects 

BOSTON –The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1,939,250 in grant awards to support infrastructure projects in communities across Massachusetts. The awards were announced the awards at the monthly Federal Funds Partnership meeting for municipalities and tribes hosted by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO). The grant awards were made through two programs: the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) grant program and the Technical Assistance for Regional Planning Agencies (TARPA) programs, both administered by FFIO. Each program is designed to support communities with technical assistance needs for projects that have either received or are pursuing federal funding. 

"These awards will allow municipalities to build safer roadways, invest in clean energy projects, and build more housing across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When we entered office, we committed to pulling out all the stops to bring in more federal funding to Massachusetts projects. These grants will allow us to do so and will give our communities the critical support they need.” 

"As a former Mayor, I understand the capacity constraints that municipal officials contend with every day,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Every technical assistance dollar we deliver is crucial to moving forward important projects in our communities; I’m thrilled to see these resources being delivered and look forward to seeing their impact in our communities.” 

“Our team at the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office created these programs to respond directly to the technical assistance needs we’ve heard from communities across the Commonwealth,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Today’s awards will help us unlock federal dollars and advance key infrastructure projects across our state. I want to thank our partners in the legislature for providing these new resources to help our communities thrive.” 

“Investing in local infrastructure projects is one of the most vital and direct ways that state government can deliver meaningful results for the people we serve,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for allocating these grants, and my colleagues in the Legislature for working to make the initial investments.” 

“The Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Program ensures that cities, towns, and Tribal governments have the expertise and support needed to successfully pursue and manage federal infrastructure funding,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “By strengthening local capacity, these grants will help communities deliver critical projects that support housing, climate resilience, and economic development. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for advancing this work and look forward to seeing these investments make a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth.”  

FFIO heard consistently from communities across the state that more technical assistance is needed to advance key infrastructure projects.   

The MTTA and TARPA programs were enabled by legislation filed by Governor Healey, Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024 (“An Act to Provide for Competitiveness and Infrastructure Investment in Massachusetts”) to support infrastructure projects in cities and towns across the state. Governor Healey filed the legislation as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase Massachusetts’ competitiveness for federal funding and empower local governments with more resources to pursue federal opportunities.  

This round of Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Awards include: 

• Town of Agawam: $50,000 for activities related to clean energy investments at Agawam public schools 

• Town of Barnstable: $75,000 for activities related to the fish passage improvement project at the Upper Marston Mills Pond 

• City of Brockton: $125,000 for the city to cover costs associated with pursuing federal credit assistance to acquire the Aquaria Desalination Plant 

• City of Gardner: $150,000 to support planning and analysis related to a downtown economic impact study.  

• City of Lawrence: $70,000 for activities related to the city’s FY’23 USDOT Safe Streets for All grant.  

• City of Lynn: $200,000 for activities related to the South Harbor Implementation Plan project. 

• Town of Nantucket: $7,500 for activities related to investments in electric vehicles and charging stations made by the Town. 

• City of Newburyport: $4,000 for activities related to clean energy investments at the City’s new John F. Cutter Jr. Fire Station.  

• North Shore Community Development Corporation: $195,000 for activities related to the El Centro project in Salem, a mixed-use redevelopment project incorporating 48 age-restricted affordable housing units, commercial space, and a community health center. 

• Town of Stoneham: $47,250 for activities related to seeking federal clean energy tax credits for a geothermal project at Stoneham High School.  

• Town of Westhampton: $16,500 for activities related to seeking federal clean energy tax credits for solar projects at Westhampton’s Municipal Town Hall and the Westhampton Public Safety Complex. 

The Technical Assistance for Regional Planning Agencies (TARPA) grant awards will be made to each of the state’s 13 regional planning agencies (RPAs). TARPA funds will be used to support the regional planning agencies with technical assistance related to projects that have received or are in pursuit of federal funding.  

"The Technical Assistance for Regional Planning Agencies program will help advance key infrastructure projects for communities, while enhancing our competitiveness for federal dollars,” said Linda Dunleavy and Jeff Walker, Co-Presidents of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies. “We're grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the legislature for making these resources available."  

TARPA grants have been made to the following organizations: 

• Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) – $142,816.21 

• Cape Cod Commission (CCC) - $128,647.18 

• Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) - $177,056.93 

• Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) - $133,005.67 

• Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) - $66,666.67 

• Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) - $136,697.18 

• Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) - $431,578.07 

• Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) - $138,310.31 

• Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission (NP&EDC) - $33,333.33 

• Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) - $127,116.64 

• Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) - $135,815.52 

• Pioneer Valley Planning Council (PVPC) - $183,284.70 

• Southeast Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) – $165,671.59