Baker-Polito Administration Announces $3 Million in Community Compact Cabinet Information Technology Grants

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $3 Million in Community Compact Cabinet Information Technology Grants

Funding will support 51 cities and towns as they strengthen and improve their technology infrastructure

SPRINGFIELD – Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today joined elected officials and other local leaders in Springfield to announce $3 million in Community Compact Information Technology (IT) grants to help 51 municipalities strengthen their own technological infrastructure. This latest round of funding brings the total amount of municipal IT grants awarded over the past five years to $12 million – a significant investment that is supporting over 300 municipal and school district projects designed to modernize and improve technology systems.

“This $3 million in new funding for these communities highlights our commitment to improving technological infrastructure and enabling local cities and towns to deliver high quality services,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are pleased to continue working closely with our municipal partners while making key investments that modernize technology services across Massachusetts.”

“The 51 municipalities receiving funding today will be empowered to undertake critical projects such as improving record-keeping systems, enhancing public safety systems, consolidating billing platforms, implementing new software and integrating systems,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “As the Community Compact Cabinet Chair, I am proud of the success of this program and congratulate each of the award winners.”

The event in Springfield highlights the $100,000 the City is receiving to assist with the digitization of over 1 million archived records in an effort to promote preservation, transparency and ease of access. Existing records will be scanned and organized in a searchable software database that will be easily accessible.

“We are proud to continue our support for cities and towns as they carry out major technological projects that may otherwise be unaffordable,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “These awards will help make local technology more reliable and efficient, and will provide greater access for residents.”

“Since their inception, the Community Compact IT grants have helped with significant upgrades to municipal IT infrastructure across the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Technology Services and Security Curtis M. Wood. “These new investments will further strengthen municipal technology – enabling cities and towns to better serve their businesses, residents and visitors.”

Other notable examples of communities receiving funding through this round of awards include the following:

• Acton is receiving $150,000 to replace their public safety record management system, which serves the needs of dispatchers, police officers and firefighters
• Braintree is receiving $102,034 to integrate their town and school radio systems
• Holden is receiving $157,037 to create a fiber network on their Main Street corridor, connecting all town buildings to the existing network
• Tewksbury is receiving $139,018 to install a simulcast system to improve public safety radio coverage

The Community Compact program allows municipalities to secure state grants for local projects that focus on community development, emergency management, environmental resources and more. Since 2016, the Administration has awarded over $27 million to municipalities through the Community Compact program. Of that total, the IT grant program has awarded $12 million in support of more than 300 municipal and school district projects designed to modernize and improve technology systems.

Formed in January 2015, the Community Compact Cabinet is chaired by Lt. Governor Polito and is composed of the Secretaries of Housing and Economic Development, Education, Transportation, Energy and Environmental Affairs, and Technology Services and Security, along with the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Local Services and the Assistant Secretary of Operational Services. The Community Compact Cabinet elevates the Administration’s partnerships with cities and towns, and allows the Governor’s Office to work more closely with leaders from all municipalities. The Cabinet champions municipal interests across all executive secretariats and agencies, and develops, in consultation with cities and towns, mutual standards and best practices for both the state and municipalities. The creation of Community Compacts creates clear standards, expectations and accountability for both partners.

For a full list of awardees and projects, click here.