BOSTON – Today,
the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $15 million in
grants to 67 organizations across the state through the Community Empowerment and
Reinvestment Program (CERP), a competitive grant program
that offers flexible operating grants to local collaborations for
programming and projects that develop, strengthen, and invest in
community economic priorities. The program aims to bring positive
economic outcomes to communities that have been adversely impacted by the
criminal justice system and poverty.
“Our
administration is committed to making Massachusetts a state where
everyone has access to economic opportunity,” said Governor Maura
Healey. “The Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program is
reshaping our communities by providing resources for programs that
strengthen our communities through job training, small business support,
housing stability, and more. We congratulate the awardees on this
hard-earned achievement and thank the Legislature for their partnership
to make this funding available.”
“The
Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Program plays a vital role in
supporting communities that face significant barriers to economic growth
in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “This
funding will provide assistance to organizations that are doing critical
work to improve public health, support small and diverse businesses,
engage with young people, provide education and workforce opportunities
and so much more. This program will help strengthen our bond with local
leaders to safeguard the well-being of all residents.”
“In
Massachusetts, we are building an equitable economy that benefits
everyone,” said Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao.
“This program serves as a crucial mechanism for our administration to
strategically invest in the fundamentals that enable economic growth. In
collaboration with local leaders, we’re aiming to enhance the livelihood
of residents and businesses for years to come.”
This
competitive grant program was developed to support communities with high
rates of criminal justice system involvement and poverty. Project
categories include community-based workforce development, small business
development, housing stabilization, community health improvement, high
school dropout prevention, and community organizing and leadership
development.
Among
these awarded projects, 37 are located in Gateway Cities. Of the 67
organizations, 33 self-identified as Minority Business Enterprises.
Nearly half of the organizations funded have formerly incarcerated
leadership or leadership that has been impacted by the criminal justice
system.
Created
in 2020, the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program
involved the establishment of a Community Empowerment Board to inform
application processes and criteria. As prescribed by law, the
seven-member Community Empowerment Board consists of individuals who
belong to demographic groups that have been traditionally
underrepresented and have historically been at social and economic
disadvantages.
The full list of Community
Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program recipients can be found here.
|
沒有留言:
發佈留言