Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $45 Million to Protect Massachusetts Communities from Flooding, Extreme Heat and Climate Impacts

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $45 Million to Protect Massachusetts Communities from Flooding, Extreme Heat and Climate Impacts 

New “ECO One Stop” combines major state environmental grant applications to make it easier for communities to move resilience projects forward 

SALEM – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced more than $45 million in grants to support 97 projects that will help communities across Massachusetts better withstand flooding, extreme heat, coastal erosion, and other climate impacts. The funding, awarded through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA’s) new Environment & Climate (ECO) One Stop program, will help strengthen infrastructure, restore and enhance natural resources, and improve public safety while making it easier to access state funding for climate resilience projects. 

The administration announced the first round of ECO One Stop grant awards at Winter Island Park in Salem, where funding will support coastal bank restoration that protects the shoreline from storm damage and erosion. The project will improve public safety and pedestrian access, restore native vegetation, and preserve archaeological and historic resources dating back 6,000 years.

“Massachusetts needs infrastructure that can withstand flooding, extreme heat and severe storms,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This $45 million investment will help communities protect residents, strengthen roads, dams, coastlines and other critical infrastructure and lower costs. ECO One Stop is making it faster and easier for communities to access the funding they need to get these important projects moving.” 

“Every community has projects that can make neighborhoods safer, healthier, and more resilient to climate change, and local leaders know where those investments are needed most,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “ECO One Stop gives municipalities, Tribes, nonprofits, and regional partners a simpler way to access state funding so they can spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering projects that benefit Communities.”

The inaugural ECO One Stop pilot round includes seven state grant programs supporting projects that reduce climate risks and strengthen communities, including Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action, Dam & Seawall Repair or Removal, Coastal Resilience, Coastal Habitat and Water Quality, Cooling Corridors, Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance, Culvert Replacement Training Site, and Planning Assistance. A total of 97 projects received awards, including 71 municipal projects, 14 regional planning agencies, seven nonprofit organizations, two Tribes, and three other public entities. 

Funded projects span every region of Massachusetts and address some of the state’s most pressing climate challenges. Projects include: 

South Hadley: Removing outdated dam control structures and restoring wetlands to reduce flood risk 
Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians: Designing a Community Climate Resilience Hub  
Plymouth: Adding green infrastructure and tree plantings downtown to reduce flooding and extreme heat
Westborough: Designing replacements of three undersized culverts to improve stormwater management 
Devens: Planting trees near critical community facilities to provide relief from extreme heat
Haverhill: Developing a sustainable water supply plan to support future housing and economic growth 
Revere: Launching a residential flood resilience retrofit program 
Boston: Restoring wetlands and streams at the Boston Nature Center 
Martha’s Vineyard: Creating a comprehensive salt marsh restoration strategy across the island
To see the full list of projects and communities funded, visit the ECO One Stop grants page.

“We’ve seen firsthand this summer how heavy, sudden rainfall can overwhelm aging dams and culverts, how extreme heat can harm vulnerable populations, and how storms can drive bacteria to our beaches and strain our wastewater systems,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “The ECO One Stop program combines the power of many of the state’s major environmental grant programs in one place, so municipalities can act quickly and think creatively about how to invest in their communities. Through this investment, we’re making sure that water has a safe place to go during downpours, that communities can cool down when temperatures rise, and that our most treasured natural resources are preserved for generations to come.”

As part of this pilot round, EEA sought extensive feedback from applicants about their experience using the new system. EEA will be working to incorporate improvements into the next 2027 grant round. 

Climate readiness is also a core piece of Governor Healey’s proposed Mass Ready Act, which includes $642 million to prepare for inland and coastal flooding and $388 million to invest in climate preparedness. The administration is also working to ensure communities have the resources to strengthen critical water infrastructure. The Governor recently called on the Trump administration to fully fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving funds, which help communities finance drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Massachusetts. 

ECO One Stop is a key initiative under ResilientMass, the statewide climate adaptation plan to reduce risk and strengthen communities in the face of climate change impacts.  The program is modeled on the success of Community One Stop for Growth, a similar combined grant program that focuses on economic development and housing.