Governor Healey Launches Build for Mass, a First-of-Its-Kind Municipal Infrastructure Loan Program

 Governor Healey Launches Build for Mass, a First-of-Its-Kind Municipal Infrastructure Loan Program 

 New $75 million revolving loan fund will lower costs, accelerate local infrastructure projects and help communities maximize federal funding  

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the launch of Build for Mass, a new $75 million revolving loan fund that will help cities and towns finance critical infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience, and economic development projects. Administered by MassDevelopment, the state’s economic development finance agency, Build for Mass is the first municipal infrastructure loan program of its kind in Massachusetts, providing flexible, low-interest financing that helps communities move projects forward faster while maximizing available federal funding opportunities. 

Lieutenant Governor Driscoll announced the initiative at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission, an independent group that advocates for the interests of local governments in their relations with state and federal governments.  

"Cities and towns know what projects their communities need, but too often they face financial barriers that slow those projects down," said Governor Maura Healey. "Build for Mass gives communities another tool to repair aging infrastructure, lower energy costs, strengthen local economies and bring more federal dollars home to Massachusetts. We're making state investments go further while helping communities move important projects from the drawing board to construction without raising taxes or fees.” 

"As a former mayor, I know how difficult it can be to move important infrastructure projects forward when financing isn't readily available," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "Build for Mass gives local leaders the flexibility they need to bridge funding gaps, keep projects on track and deliver results for their residents. It's another example of our administration working alongside cities and towns to solve real challenges." 

"Build for Mass gives communities a flexible new financing tool to move critical projects forward faster, from downtown revitalization to clean energy investments," said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. "By helping cities and towns bridge funding gaps and leverage federal resources, this program will strengthen local economies, create opportunities for businesses, and make Massachusetts more competitive for years to come." 

 "Build for Mass is the latest example of our Administration's commitment to using every available tool to deliver real benefits for Massachusetts communities," said Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew J. Gorzkowicz. "Nearly two years ago, Governor Healey established a state matching fund using interest from our strong Stabilization Fund--providing a flexible new method of unlocking additional investments in our cities and towns. Using these resources to seed Build for Mass is a strategic, sustainable way to make Massachusetts more resilient and more competitive." 

“Massachusetts communities are on track to receive federal funding to build clean energy, expand transportation, and fix our aging water infrastructure, but they need financing to support their projects in the meantime,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “That’s where Build for Mass comes in. Revolving loan funds are key to getting projects off the ground while keeping costs down. We’re excited to be a part of this innovative new fund and we’re looking forward to supporting the municipal leaders on the ground who need support realizing their ideas.”  

“Build for Mass is going to help us further drive down energy bills for our cities and towns – that means less tax dollars going towards high energy bills, and more funding flowing back into communities,” said Commissioner of Energy Resources Elizabeth Mahony. “By leveraging the revolving loan model, we’re going to get more geothermal and storage projects powering municipal buildings. Build for Mass will bring energy affordability, efficient buildings, and reduced power demand to our communities with these funds.” 

“When the Governor established the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office, we promised to implement a strategy that would help communities build projects they care about while maximizing federal investment in Massachusetts,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “In 2024, we made matching funds available to communities, launched new technical assistance programs for local governments, and now we’re making Build for Mass available statewide. Each of these initiatives have been a direct response to the needs voiced to us by local leaders across Massachusetts. At a time of increasing federal uncertainty, we are committed to advancing priority projects and Build for Mass will be key to this effort.” 

Prioritizing Gateway Cities and rural communities, Build for Mass will offer two low-interest revolving loan products: 

• The General Loan Program Provides low-interest loans that help municipalities bridge financing gaps for federally funded infrastructure projects, including neighborhood revitalization, seawalls, and other community improvements. 
• The Green Loan Program provides bridge financing for municipal clean energy projects that qualify for the federal Direct Pay program, enabling cities and towns to receive tax credit reimbursements for eligible projects. Qualifying projects include battery energy storage and ground-source heat pump systems that lower energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Build for Mass will operate as a revolving loan fund administered by MassDevelopment, which will oversee loan underwriting, servicing and compliance. As loans are repaid, the funds will be reinvested into future projects, creating a sustainable financing tool expected to support in multiple rounds of municipal infrastructure investments over the next 20 years. Applications are expected to open later in 2026.

"Build for Mass is a smarter way to use state dollars to get stuff done,” said Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer. “This fund will help more cities and towns build critical infrastructure as well as provide a tax credit bridge loan to help communities and businesses take advantage of federal dollars to build energy saving battery storage and geothermal projects—locking in deep energy cost savings for decades to come while reducing harmful pollution.  It’s a win-win for pocketbooks and planet.” 

"As the state’s development finance agency and land bank, MassDevelopment has the tools and expertise to assist communities, businesses, and nonprofits as they advance economic development across the state,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “We are thrilled to deploy Build for Mass, which will help cities and towns access and leverage federal funding for critical clean energy and municipal infrastructure projects.” 

Build for Mass is funded through $50 million from the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, established through legislation proposed by Governor Healey to help Massachusetts compete for federal funding.  The program also includes an additional $25 million from the Department of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, to support clean energy projects and lower long-term energy costs.  

Statements of Support 

Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director and CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association:  

“Cities and towns are excited about the forthcoming Municipal Lending Program at MassDevelopment. This program is an excellent example of the Commonwealth’s leaders working in partnership to deliver innovative programming that will offer support for communities to secure the financing needed to address critical infrastructure projects. We applaud the Legislature and the teams at FFIO and MassDevelopment for launching this initiative, and look forward to the many projects this financing option will support.”  

Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch: 

"Coastal communities like Quincy are planning today for long-term climate-related impacts on our infrastructure. That means making significant investments in critical resilience projects that will better protect our residents, businesses, and public assets from increasingly severe weather. Securing affordable financing for these projects remains a major challenge, which is why Build for Mass offers such a promising new pathway to access the capital we need. I'm grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for investing in this innovative program and providing communities with new tools to tackle pressing problems." 

Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson: 

"For cities and towns like Gardner, lack of access to flexible financing is often a barrier to moving our most important projects forward. We're thrilled that Build for Mass will provide a new avenue for funding those projects, which may otherwise take longer to complete at a higher cost. Programs like this help capacity-constrained communities like mine make meaningful progress on the projects most important to our residents. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued leadership and innovation in bringing new resources to communities." 

Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra: 

"Northampton is committed to building infrastructure that not only meets the needs of our residents today, but also supports a cleaner, more sustainable future. Build for Mass will provide communities with an important new opportunity to finance these projects at a lower cost, helping us advance our clean energy and infrastructure goals. We sincerely appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration's leadership in creating this new tool for communities across the Commonwealth.”