Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $30 Million to Help Communities Prepare for Flooding, Heat Waves and Wildfires

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $30 Million to Help Communities Prepare for Flooding, Heat Waves and Wildfires 

This year’s grants expand support for rural and small-town infrastructure upgrades 

BOSTON– The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $28.7 million in grants to help 54 Massachusetts communities prepare for increasingly extreme weather – including heat waves, flooding, wildfires and storms. This year, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) made a targeted effort to recruit rural and small towns into the Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant program, with $11.1 million going specifically to those areas. 

The funding supports real, on-the-ground improvements – such as rebuilding parks with shaded spaces where residents can cool off during heat waves, protecting wetlands that reduce flooding in neighborhoods, and designing safer, more affordable housing on higher ground. Other projects include new wildfire evacuation routes, culvert upgrades to stop roads from washing out, and emergency plans to protect people most at risk.  

“Communities across Massachusetts are already feeling the impacts of rising heat, flooding and other extreme weather. These grants give them the ability to prepare before disaster strikes – protecting homes, public spaces and essential services,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Preparation is the most affordable, effective way to protect people and avoid much higher costs down the road.” 

“As a former mayor, I know how hard it can be for local governments to take on complex challenges while still keeping up with day-to-day services,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “MVP gives communities the resources to tackle problems like upgrading Gallow Hills Park and Bertram Field in Salem with green infrastructure solutions to mitigate flooding without having to choose between urgent needs and long-term safety. 

The MVP Program is a statewide initiative that helps cities and towns plan and implement locally-driven strategies to deal with the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change. The program goes beyond funding plans – it helps communities turn those plans into action. Since its inception in 2017, MVP has funded over 500 projects ranging from stormwater system upgrades and cooling shelters to updated zoning and emergency response planning. 

This year’s initiative also emphasizes equity and inclusion. A new effort launched this year as part of MVP 2.0 pairs communities with equity partners – local organizations and individuals that specialize in community engagement. These partners help towns ensure that planning reflects the needs of all residents, especially those most at risk. 

The MVP program is also a core piece of Governor Healey’s recently proposed Mass Ready Act, which includes $315 million to further invest in local economies. 

“We’re seeing more communities step up to address the real impacts they’re facing – hotter summers, stronger storms and more frequent flooding,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These grants support that work by funding practical, local solutions. This year, we’re proud to welcome 17 first-time MVP Action grantees – towns and cities that are taking action to protect residents and build a more resilient community. The demand for MVP also underscores the importance of the Mass Ready Act, which will allow us to continue to support communities as they contend with increasingly destructive storms and heat.”  

MVP is a priority program of ResilientMass, the statewide climate adaptation plan to reduce risk and strengthen communities in the face of climate change impacts.  

To streamline the application process for resilience projects, the next round of MVP Action Grants will be part of the new Environment and Climate One Stop. This unified application platform will allow applicants to access multiple EEA grant programs that fund climate resilience and restoration projects. This pilot initiative will be modelled after the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Community One Stop for Growth. More information is available on the initiative’s webpage:https://mass.gov/environment-climate-one-stop. EEA is accepting expressions of interest for new projects at this time.  

“Communities throughout our region continue to demonstrate strong leadership in preparing for the impacts of climate change, and these MVP Action Grants provide critical resources to support those efforts,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R–Gloucester). “Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for releasing this important funding for essential local initiatives in Ipswich, Salisbury, and West Newbury. These projects will not only enhance public safety and protect vital infrastructure but also strengthen the ability of our coastal and riverfront communities to withstand increasingly severe storms and flooding.” 

“Communities across our Commonwealth are grappling with hotter summers, stronger storms, and record flooding,” said State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for expanding the Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program to include funding targeted for rural and small towns — ensuring that every community has the tools it needs to meet the challenges of a changing climate. This $11.1 million investment into our rural and small municipalities is driving forward key climate resilient infrastructure projects that are designed and constructed to serve our communities and residents for the next 100 years.” 

“Municipalities like Hull are on the front lines of climate change, and are among the first to feel the effects of sea level rise, flooding, and more intense storms,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “MVP is a catalyst for investment in resilience, making our environments healthier and local economies stronger. We are thrilled to see this investment in the Hampton Circle neighborhood.” 

“Two years ago, North Central Massachusetts faced devastating flooding that caused millions of dollars in damage,” said State Representative Michael P. Kushmerek (D – Fitchburg). “With this funding to support nature-based solutions, Fitchburg will be better equipped to manage future extreme weather events. I sincerely appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their partnership in prioritizing public safety and infrastructure investment.” 

“The Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program has been a game changer for the Berkshires, giving our towns the tools to plan for and reduce the risks of climate change,” said State Representative Leigh Davis (D – Great Barrington). “I’m thrilled to see two Third Berkshire projects supported — community-centered climate planning at Old Maid’s Park in Great Barrington and planning for a new Regional Public Safety Facility in West Stockbridge. These investments not only help us prepare for flooding, heat, and storms, they also make our parks more accessible, our neighborhoods safer, and our communities stronger for generations to come. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing local climate resilience and supporting what matters most in our towns.” 

The following communities will receive funding to complete MVP Action Grants this year: 

 

Grantee	Project Title	Total Amount
Abington (& Rockland)	Nature-Based Stormwater Resilience: Abington & Rockland Watershed Assessment	$350,000
Amherst (& Belchertown, Hadley, Shutesbury, Pelham)	Fort River Watershed Culvert Assessment & Prioritization Plan	$427,700
Avon	From Rain to Resource: The Water Journey Innovative Solutions for Groundwater Recharge	$222,700
Belchertown	Hop Brook Culvert Replacement	$2,764,404
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (& Clarksburg)	Four Corners Floodplain Restoration and Flood Resilience Phase II (Design/Permitting)	$445,020
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (& Pittsfield)	Pittsfield Westside Connectivity Project	$1,144,000
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (& Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, Becket)	Berkshire Climate Career Lab	$50,000
Boston	Boston Nature Center Wetland and Stream Restoration	$400,000
Brockton (& Avon)	D.W. Field Park Climate Resilience Project	$859,400
Brookfield	Rice Corner Cross Road Culvert Replacement	$605,676
Canton (& Boston, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Norwood, Quincy, Stoughton, Westwood)	Resilient Neponset: Advancing Climate Resilience through Data Modeling and Engagement	$652,719
Chelsea	Stronger, Smarter, Greener: Implementing Resilient Zoning & Design in Chelsea	$313,600
Cohasset	Cohasset Social Resilience Coalition & Hub	$190,077
Concord (& Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers Watershed Communities)	Building a Regional Climate Collaborative for the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord (SuAsCo) Rivers Watershed	$450,000
Conway	Conway Flood Resilience Project	$330,300
Dennis	Pound Pond -Flood Mitigation and Storm Drainage Restoration Dennis, Massachusetts	$2,647,255
Fitchburg	Generating & Measuring Resilience in Downtown Fitchburg with Nature-Based Solutions 3.0 - Resilient Elm Street	$143,970
Franklin Regional Council of Governments (& Franklin County Communities)	Climate Resilient Water Use in Franklin County	$125,000
Great Barrington	Resilient Housatonic: Community-Centered Climate Planning at Old Maid's Park	$80,860
Hardwick (& Hubbardston)	Quabbin Regional School District Town Shelter Resilience Improvement Design and Permitting	$94,000
Hatfield (& Hadley)	Assessment, Maintenance, and NBS Improvements to Agricultural Drainage Channels	$179,000
Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe	Herring Pond Wampanoag - Tidmarsh Farms Homestead Planning and Acquisition Project	$196,230
Holyoke	Holyoke Wastewater System Vulnerability Assessment, Adaptation Plan, and Green Infrastructure	$390,000
Hopkinton	Hopkinton's Community-Led Resilient Land Initiative	$179,305
Hull	Resilient Park Transformation in Hampton Circle	$332,000
Ipswich	Ipswich Town Wharf Pump Station Relocation and Coastal Resilience Improvement Project	$282,000
Lawrence	River to Refuge: Tower Hill Waterfront- Río a Refugio: Tower Hill Frente al Río	$1,054,800
Lynn (& Holyoke, Haverhill)	Building on HEAL (Healthy Environments Advance Learning)	$150,000
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (& Salem)	Home Resilience Assessment Pilot	$151,155
Milford	Resilience Planning for Godfrey Brook	$598,524
Monson	Monson Cedar Swamp Co-Restoration Project	$213,000
Montague	The Hill Neighborhood Green Infrastructure Master Planning	$458,750
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (& Merrimack Watershed Communities)	Merrimack Watershed Revive: A Vision for Regional Resilience Phase 2	$539,900
Orleans	Town of Orleans - Downtown and Town Cove Resilience Plan	$198,175
Oxford	Petroleum to Pollinator | Design to Restore a Former Gas Station Back to Nature | Phase 02	$218,500
Petersham	Community Resilience through Emergency Communication Planning	$100,000
Princeton (& Westminster)	Mount Wachusett Community Wildfire Protection Plan	$53,000
Rowe	Adapting Pelham Lake Park to a Changing Climate	$90,820
Salisbury	Salisbury Coastal Resilience Planning Project	$304,155
Shelburne	Dragon Brook: A Climate Resilient Watershed	$395,940
Somerville	Blessing of the Bay Urban Heat Resilience	$1,367,300
Southampton	Project Stay Cool: Empowering Southampton Against Extreme Heat	$82,770
Truro	Truro Rural Resilience Hubs Powering Emergency Shelter, Local Resilience, And Grid Reliability With Microgrids	$257,500
Uxbridge	Home Brew Dam Removal and Community Engagement	$458,310
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)	Creation of a Master Plan for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)	$350,270
Warren	Rising Above: Warren's Plan for a Flood-Resilient Future	$234,035
West Newbury	Development of Alternatives to Address Flooding and Erosion along River Road and the bordering Merrimack River Shoreline in West Newbury, MA	$426,938
West Stockbridge (& Stockbridge, Richmond)	Resilient Regional Public Safety Facility Master Plan Feasibility Study and Design	$348,140
Westfield	Westfield Middle School Green Infrastructure Improvements	$810,200
Westhampton	Westhampton Elementary School Solar	$971,856
Williamsburg	Williamsburg Flood Resilience	$1,194,255
Woburn (& Mystic River Communities)	Hurld Park Heat-Resilient Nature Park: Construction	$2,451,500
Worcester	Resilient Worcester: Advancing Community Resilience through Data-Driven Decision Making (Integrated Flood Model), NBS Designs, and Education	$1,090,007
Worthington	Wood Pellet Heating System	$82,025
Total (54)		$28,507,041

Governor Healey Joins 17 Governors in Urging Congress to Extend Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits

 Governor Healey Joins 17 Governors in Urging Congress to Extend Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey and 17 other Governors today called on Congressional leadership to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s enhanced premium tax credits, which lower the cost of health care for 336,000 Massachusetts residents.  

In addition to Governor Healey, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers also signed onto the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. 

The Governors emphasized that extending the ACA tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of 2025, is a practical step to make health care more affordable and stable for millions of Americans. If these credits are not extended, people who make just slightly too much income to qualify for state subsidies could lose coverage because their plans would become unaffordable, and small businesses would feel the financial burden quickly. It's estimated that allowing the credits to expire would increase health care premiums for ACA enrollees by 75 percent. 

“Across the country, people are struggling with high health care costs. It's why I’ve worked to lower health care costs in Massachusetts, and why I’m joining Governors across the country urging Congress to do the same,” said Governor Healey. “Millions of people and small businesses rely on the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits to afford health insurance coverage. Extending them is the right thing to do.” 

“In Massachusetts we prioritize affordable health coverage because we know that it holds greater value than just providing people with an avenue to prioritizing their health,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah. “Not only will the extension help us keep health care affordable, preventing worse health outcomes for people who may wait too long to get care, but it also keeps premiums lower and puts less strain on health care centers and hospitals. I am grateful to Governor Healey and other leaders in supporting the expansion because it makes sense for residents of our state and across the country.” 

“Massachusetts is the best place in the country to get healthy and stay healthy, and at the Health Connector, we pride ourselves on our work to make sure affordable coverage is in reach for Massachusetts families,” said Audrey Morse Gasteier, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Congress extending enhanced tax credits will mean that tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents can continue to afford coverage that allows them to live healthier and more financially secure lives.” 

First expanded under the American Rescue Plan and later extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, the tax credits capped benchmark-plan premiums at a maximum of 8.5 percent of household income and expanded eligibility to individuals and families earning above the traditional 400 percent federal poverty level threshold. These enhancements spurred a historic surge in ACA Marketplace enrollment—from around 11.4 million in 2020 to over 24 million in 2025.  

Without renewed authorization, these tax credits are slated to expire at the end of 2025, setting off a cascade of consequences: average premiums could spike by more than 75 percent, with rural regions seeing hikes as high as 90 percent, for an average increase of $700. Estimates suggest that marketplace enrollment could fall by up to 50 percent, and four million Americans could lose insurance coverage entirely.  

The Governors are joined by leaders in the health care industry, including AARP, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Susan G. Komen and American Medical Association, who also submitted a letter urging Congress to extend the tax credit. 

Earlier this year, Governor Healey signed two bills into law that lowered health care costs, capped prescription drug costs at $25, improved access to primary care and increased oversight of the health care industry to protect patients and providers. She also overhauled maternal health practices in Massachusetts and approved $75.6 million in health insurance rebates for consumers and small businesses. This year, the Division of Insurance negotiated down proposed rate increases from health insurers, saving Massachusetts residents and businesses a projected $79 million in health care premiums for 2026.   

To read the letter, led by Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, click here.