Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Capital Grants to Employment-Focused Social Enterprises   New Round of Funding Supports Job Training and Inclusive Economic Growth

BOSTON - Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1 million in grants to five organizations through the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program, which funds nonprofits focused on hiring and assisting people who face barriers to employment.   “The Social Enterprise Grant Program invests in organizations that open doors to opportunity,” said Interim Secretary of Economic Development Ashley Stolba. “By funding organizations that hire and train people facing barriers to employment, we’re helping individuals build brighter futures, strengthening our workforce, and supporting communities across Massachusetts.”  Social Enterprise Capital Grants support the purchase, repair, renovation, and improvement of the facilities of nonprofit businesses that both sell goods or services and provide paid employment and supportive services to individuals facing significant barriers to employment. Eligible organizations must offer paid work opportunities to low-income individuals, with priority given to socially and economically disadvantaged populations who require intensive support. Under the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the program has awarded $7 million to 13 communities.   Awarded Projects:   Cape Abilities (Dennis) - $142,000  Cape Abilities Farm will build a new community space that advances inclusive vocational training for individuals with disabilities and supports food security on Cape Cod. This multi-use space will address critical community needs by providing an accessible break space for staff and participants in its vocational program and creating a dedicated hub for programming that promotes access to healthy, local food. The community space will also serve as a welcoming venue for community engagement.  Riverside Industries (Easthampton) - $250,000  Riverside Industries Inc. will renovate its Production Department, which employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities alongside non-disabled community members to conduct quality control, packaging, and shipping for local businesses. This renovation will make the social enterprise more accessible by relocating the Production Department to a larger ground-floor space and upgrading essential infrastructure such as flooring, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler systems, and other equipment.   GAAMHA (Gardner) - $144,000  GAAMHA will enhance accessibility and sustainability at its Coleman Assembly & Packaging social enterprise. A key upcoming project involves constructing a new ADA-compliant ramp, which will ensure easier and safer access for everyone. GAAMHA is also investing in environmental upgrades by installing newer, energy-efficient "green" climate control units on the roof. This will significantly reduce energy consumption and promote a more comfortable environment. Furthermore, GAAMHA plans to renovate existing space within the Coleman facility to create updated office areas and dedicated employee break rooms.   UTEC (Lowell) - $250,000  UTEC provides job training, paid employment, and wrap-around support services for young adults aged 18 to 25 who face multiple barriers to success, such as incarceration, violence, and gang involvement. With these funds, UTEC will continue to renovate 70-80 Church Street in Lowell, known as the Tower Building. This project will support facilities for UTEC’s workforce development and job training programs, create additional room for individuals to receive high school equivalency testing, and allow UTEC to launch an entrepreneurial storefront to sell items produced by its social enterprise. Renovations in 2025 will include HVAC work, drywall installation, electrical work, signage, and accessibility upgrades.   Center of Hope (Southbridge) - $214,000  The Center of Hope Foundation will make essential facility improvements to enhance its workforce development services for people with disabilities, particularly through Just the Details, its car detailing business. Renovations will increase the number of vehicles serviced per day, which will expand real-world job opportunities for those participating in the Center for Hope Foundation’s programming. The proposed upgrades include a new HVAC system, a protected interior corridor, a new checkout counter, renovations to the breakroom and training room, repairs to the concrete floor and drainage system, and equipment and roof replacements.