Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches New Grant Programs to Support Local Infrastructure Projects
BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is launching two new grant programs to advance local infrastructure and economic development projects and bring more federal dollars into Massachusetts. The programs will provide technical assistance support for municipal and tribal infrastructure projects that are seeking federal funds or have received federal funds. The administration has created these programs with a focus on rural towns and Gateway Cities.
“More technical assistance means revitalized downtowns, safer roads, new homes and more jobs in our communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These new tools will provide critical support to our local government leaders and will be an important part of our continued work to make Massachusetts the best place to live, work and do business.”
“As a former Mayor, I know how impactful these resources will be to our local government leaders,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I look forward to seeing the impact of these programs across Massachusetts transportation, climate, housing and economic development projects.”
These grant programs will be administered by the Administration’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office and draw on interest from the state’s Stabilization Fund, without reducing the Fund’s balance. They were created through Governor Healey’s federal funds bill.
"In this time of national economic uncertainty, our Administration is using every financial tool available—including leveraging interest from our Stabilization Fund—to sustainably support Massachusetts cities and towns," said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. "These grants will help ensure that every community, regardless of size and access to resources, is well-equipped to compete for federal funding. I look forward to seeing these funds improve resilience, drive local economic development, and fix vital infrastructure across Massachusetts."
“Our office has travelled all across Massachusetts to hear from municipal leaders about barriers to advancing infrastructure projects and heard across the board that more technical assistance is critical," said Federal Funds and Infrastructure Director Quentin Palfrey. “We’re thrilled to launch these two programs to help our local leaders drive forward the projects that are most important to their communities and look forward to the work to come.”
“The Senate passed Governor Healey's federal funds bill last session because we shared the vision of unlocking new resources for cities and towns across Massachusetts,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This program delivers on that promise, giving local leaders the tools they need to bring infrastructure projects to life that will make their communities even better places to live, raise a family, and run a business. I’m excited to see the Healey-Driscoll Administration launch this program, and I look forward to the great projects that will emerge from this funding in every corner of our Commonwealth.”
“These grant programs will provide cities and towns with technical assistance as they apply for federal grants to improve their infrastructure and economic development projects,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “The House is proud to have supported the creation of these programs that will ultimately make our communities even better places to live.”
The Municipal and Tribal Assistance Grant Program (MTTA) is a competitive grant program that will allow local governments and federally-recognized tribes to seek grants for infrastructure, climate and economic development project activities. About $2.5 million will be available via the MTTA program over FY’26 and FY’27. To qualify for funding under this program, applications must be intended for projects that are seeking or have received federal funding. Eligible uses for these funds include (but are not limited to) the following activities:
Tax assistance (e.g. filing forms with the IRS for Direct Pay)
Grant writing
Project scoping and financial analysis
Planning and feasibility studies
Demonstration activities
Post-award grant management support
Applications for the MTTA program are now open here.
The Technical Assistance Grants for Regional Planning Agencies (TARPA) will be a formula-based grant program for Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) to provide direct technical assistance to cities and towns, particularly for infrastructure, climate, and economic development projects. About $2 million will be available over FY’26 and FY’27. To qualify for funding under this program, applicants must be one of the state’s 13 RPAs seeking or have received federal funding. Similar to the MTTA program, TARPA funds may be used to address a variety of technical assistance needs for projects that RPAs are seeking or have received federal funds.
For more information about the programs, eligibility criteria, and upcoming events, please visit the FFIO website or contact Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, Associate Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure at Raffi.M.Freedman-Gurspan@mass.
Statements of Support
Senator Becca Rausch (D-Needham), Senate Chair Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources and Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government:
“Technical assistance grants are a force multiplier that empower communities of all sizes to take advantage of numerous funding sources. These programs, launched by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, will uplift a wide variety of important local priorities, including environmental protection, climate resilience, and economic development. As the federal funding landscape increases in chaotic uncertainty, these programs will greatly expand opportunities and much-needed support for our cities and towns.”
Representative Jack Patrick Lewis (D- Framingham), House Chair, Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government:
“As the former Chair of the House Committee on Federal Stimulus and Census Oversight, I was proud to review the legislation that made these grants possible and to share the hearing that moved the bill forward. Throughout that process, our focus was clear: ensuring that every municipality in Massachusetts, whether a small rural town or a bustling Gateway City, would have the tools to compete for and secure federal resources. These new grant programs are a direct result of that work. By expanding access to technical assistance, our Commonwealth is leveling the playing field for local leaders, empowering them to unlock transformative federal investments. The impact will be felt in stronger infrastructure, revitalized downtowns, safer roads, new housing, and expanded job opportunities, building a stronger, more resilient Commonwealth for years to come.”
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, President, Massachusetts Mayors Association:
“Navigating federal programs can often be complex and time-consuming, especially for smaller or underserved communities. By creating these technical assistance grant programs, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is giving cities and towns the tools they need to access resources, move projects forward, and strengthen local infrastructure. This is about building a stronger Commonwealth from the street level up—helping communities of every size unlock opportunities that will make Massachusetts safer, healthier, and more resilient for the future.”
Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director & CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association:
“Local leaders across the state have appreciated the partnership and support offered by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office over the past two years and are excited about the new technical assistance grant program. Navigating the complicated federal grant funding process can be daunting, particularly for communities with limited resources and experience.”
Linda Dunlavy, Chair, Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies:
"The Massachusetts Regional Planning Agencies are happy to work with FFIO to extend technical assistance and grant writing to our member communities. We look forward to continued collaboration and coordination with the Healey-Driscoll Administration as we navigate the changes at the federal level and are excited to work with communities to move projects forward."
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