Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $179 Million for Economic Development Projects Through Community One Stop for Growth

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $179 Million for Economic Development Projects Through Community One Stop for Growth 

Announcement Delivers Funding from 13 State Grant Programs to Help Create 20,000 Housing Units, 11,000 Jobs, and more than 8.8 Million Square Feet of Commercial Development 
 

BOSTON – Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $179 million for 314 grant awards to support local economic development projects in 190 communities across the state through the Community One Stop for Growth, an application portal overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) that provides a streamlined process for municipalities and organizations to apply for 13 state grant programs. Programs in the One Stop are administered by EOED, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the quasi-public agency MassDevelopment and fund economic development projects related to planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, infrastructure, and housing development.   

“We’re proud to be a state of strong cities and towns—made stronger by programs like the Community One Stop for Growth, which give local leaders the tools they need to strengthen their economies and improve quality of life,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These grants will help communities build housing, lower costs, improve road safety, revitalize downtowns, create jobs and more. We can’t wait to see the impact of these investments across Massachusetts.” 

“The One Stop is a powerful tool for helping communities bring their vision for economic growth to life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By working together and keeping our focus on local priorities, we’re creating opportunity, advancing affordability, and improving quality of life for residents across Massachusetts.” 

Through this round of the One Stop, EOED received 713 applications from 453 organizations with projects in 245 communities across the state. Of the 314 applications awarded, 37 percent are located in a rural or small town, 28 percent are located in a Gateway City, 40 percent are located in a Housing Choice Community, and 53 percent are located in an MBTA Community. Twenty-one communities are receiving a grant through the One Stop for the first time. 

EOED estimates the One Stop awards will help create more than 20,000 new units of housing, including 5,000 new affordable units, 11,000 new permanent jobs, and more than 8.8 million square feet of new commercial development. 

“Each year, the Community One Stop for Growth supports transformative projects that drive local and regional economic growth,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “We’re grateful to the hundreds of municipal leaders, developers, and community partners who applied this year, and we look forward to working together to turn these projects into lasting results for communities across Massachusetts.” 

“These awards help communities maximize their housing opportunities — clearing roadblocks, unlocking sites and moving projects forward," said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. "From downtown revitalizations to new infrastructure that supports housing, we’re partnering with local communities and giving leaders the tools they need to bring more homes online and make those homes more affordable." 

The FY26 One Stop program awards include:   

• MassWorks Infrastructure Program - $100 million awarded to 55 projects  

• HousingWorks Infrastructure Program - $24,568,970 million awarded to 21 projects 

• Underutilized Properties Program - $15,282,950 awarded to 33 projects 

• MBTA Community Catalyst Fund - $12 million awarded to 13 projects 

• Rural Development Fund - $10 million awarded to 54 projects 

• Housing Choice Grant Program - $5,330,000 awarded to 20 projects 

• Site Readiness Program - $3,740,057 awarded to 14 projects 

• Community Planning Grant Program - $3,568,469 awarded to 37 projects 

• TDI Equity Investment Program - $1,600,000 awarded to 13 projects 

• Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program - $1,150,000 awarded to 23 projects 

• Brownfields Redevelopment Fund - $770,000 awarded to five projects  

• Massachusetts Downtown Initiative - $600,000 awarded to 20 projects  

• Real Estate Services Technical Assistance - $500,000 awarded to 10 projects  

The full list of grant recipients and project descriptions is available on the EOED website.  

“MassDevelopment is pleased to administer five One Stop programs on behalf of the Commonwealth, delivering funding and technical assistance to help communities tackle important economic development projects,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “From breathing life into an underused property to helping a municipality plan for growth, these resources will spur more jobs, housing, and vibrancy across Massachusetts.” 

State and local officials will celebrate the grants during a celebration event in Monson on November 6 at the site of the Monson Developmental Center project, which will redevelop the former Monson State Hospital into new housing units and over 100,000 square feet of commercial and civic space. EOED is supporting the project with a $5 million MassWorks grant, which will replace a bridge and upgrade surrounding infrastructure to support the redevelopment efforts, and MassDevelopment is providing a $500,000 Site Readiness Grant to prepare a site plan for the project. 

“Local economic development grants allow state government to provide direct support to Massachusetts businesses, and to provide needed support for critical projects in communities across the Commonwealth. I’m proud of the work that we did in the Legislature to provide the funding for these grants, which will create jobs, build housing, and uplift local economies across Massachusetts,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey and her team, as well as my colleagues in the House, and our partners in the Senate, for working to make these grants a reality.” 

“The Legislature passed the Mass Leads Act to drive economic growth, accelerate housing production, and create good jobs across the Commonwealth,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today’s announcement marks another strong step forward in strengthening our economy and ensuring every region of Massachusetts benefits from this momentum. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for advancing these investments, and I look forward to seeing the innovative, job-creating projects that take shape in the months and years ahead.” 

“We prioritized simplified access to state support so municipalities can meet their economic development goals. These grants address housing and infrastructure needs and create jobs,” said State Senator Barry Finegold, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s economic development committee. 

"Community One Stop for Growth is making it easier for communities to apply for and receive critical funds for their economic growth,” said State Representative Carole Fiola, the House Chair of the Legislature’s economic development committee. “I am grateful for the over $1 million in investments to the Fall River Redevelopment Authority for their Community Planning Grant Program, MassWorks Infrastructure projects and their MA Vacant Storefront projects. This portal system makes these programs accessible to cities and towns and make economic development projects possible".