Baker-Polito Administration Announces $68 Million in MassWorks Funding for Infrastructure Projects During Economic Recovery
Thirty-six public infrastructure projects to support new housing, economic development, and enhanced road safety in communities across the Commonwealth
BOSTON—Today, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy joined members of the Legislature and local officials to announce the 2020 Round of the MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program. This year’s awards will invest nearly $68 million in 36 projects to support housing, economic development and road safety projects in 35 cities and towns from across the Commonwealth. The awards were announced during a virtual ceremony, and are part of the Administration’s comprehensive economic recovery initiative, Partnerships for Recovery.
“MassWorks provides essential funding to cities and towns for infrastructure projects that spur housing production, create jobs and attract private investment, which are particularly important during our economic recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are grateful for our partnerships, both with the Legislature and with local officials, that make these investments possible, and we look forward to continued collaboration to support Massachusetts’ economy.”
“The MassWorks program plays a critical role in filling in the needed funding gaps that would otherwise keep these key projects from moving forward and inhibit substantial private investments in the main streets and downtowns of municipalities across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “By providing flexible funding to our local partners, we are empowering these communities to move ahead with projects that will have an immediate and lasting impact on their commercial districts, housing stock and residents.”
In total, the 2020 MassWorks awards will help create more than 3,500 new housing units, including over 1,000 affordable units; result in more than 3,900 new jobs, support over 7,000 construction jobs, and leverage more than $1.6 billion in private investment. Among this year’s projects, 23 are reactivating underutilized sites, 20 are transit-oriented developments, 14 have a mixed-use component; nine are in Gateway Cities, and eight are roadway projects in small and rural communities. Additionally, eight towns are receiving their first ever MassWorks award. The transformative projects funded by the 2020 awards were selected through a competitive process that received 100 applications, totaling nearly $208 million in requests.
“This year’s MassWorks round funds public infrastructure projects directly aligned with key strategic goals of our plan for economic recovery, namely, revitalizing our downtowns and main streets, getting people back to work, and supporting housing opportunity,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “As part of our administration’s laser-focus on addressing the impacts of the pandemic, MassWorks makes the kinds of targeted investments that will foster economic recovery by unlocking new commercial and residential development, while also creating jobs, both during construction and on a permanent basis once the project is complete.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the Commonwealth’s hardest hit communities, the Administration prioritized projects that are at an advanced stage of planning, design, and permitting. These projects, which are ready to start construction in spring 2021, also support strategic goals that are central to Partnerships for Recovery. For example, the City of Haverhill will use MassWorks funds for infrastructure improvements that will unlock 290 housing units and new retail space, and create 20 permanent fulltime jobs. In Leominster, water and sewer upgrades will benefit the expansion of the Mall at Whitney Field. As a result of public infrastructure investments, the cities of Brockton and Pittsfield will also realize new redevelopment opportunities through both commercial and residential projects.
“These MassWorks grants are transformative for communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Eric P. Lesser, Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “During a time when we’re navigating economic recovery from the pandemic and being hit with a second wave, it is important to make these investments in our infrastructure to put people to work, rebuild our communities, and continue the fight for equal opportunity.”
“Congratulations to the grant recipients!” said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “As the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, I want to commend my colleagues for their steadfast support of MassWorks funding and working in partnership with the Administration to provide dollars to these vital projects to grow local jobs and generate revenue for cities, towns and the Commonwealth.
“The City of Pittsfield is pleased to have the support and commitment of the Baker-Polito Administration toward this important and transformational initiative in our community. The Tyler Street Streetscape and Roundabout project reflects a longstanding and concerted effort by many in the Morningside neighborhood,” said Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer. “As one of the first designated TDI districts in the Commonwealth, we are deeply grateful to MassDevelopment for its continuous support through the years in helping to foster and implement our vision for this critical neighborhood corridor in our city. Thank you for believing in us and our future.”
“Nantucket is grateful to be receiving its first MassWorks grant, particularly at this critical time,” said Dawn Hill Holdgate, Chair of the Nantucket Select Board. “Housing for our year-round community remains the #1 priority of the Select Board and this award will facilitate building the roadway infrastructure to support a new, 64-unit rental housing development on Town land where 80% of the residences will be income-restricted.”
“As chair of the Northfield Selectboard, I am honored to represent our community in the acceptance of this MassWorks infrastructure grant,” said Alex Meisner, Chair of the Northfield Selectboard. “Our aging Massachusetts roads will benefit greatly from this funding and I thank all involved parties who made this project possible.”
“Warwick appreciates the Commonwealth’s investment in our community’s joint effort with our neighbor Northfield to meet our needs to improve this connector roadway,” said Warwick Selectboard member Todd Dexter. “Half of all land in Warwick is state owned parks and reserves, land that contributes to our community character. This project addresses our need to adequately fund roads through these lands, something that is nearly impossible for a tiny town. We are grateful for this taxpayer support.”
Each year, the MassWorks program allocates 10 percent of awarded funds to assist municipalities with populations of 7,000 or less in completing roadway safety projects. Towns like Avon, Buckland, Harvard, Phillipston, and Plainfield will see extensive roadway improvements as well as upgrades to culverts and underground water and sewer utilities along critical thoroughfares utilized by emergency first responders, school buses, residents, and commuters. These MassWorks-funded projects will improve public safety, prevent the need for lengthy, long-term detours, and preserve housing density.
Since 2015, and including this year’s round, the Baker-Polito Administration has invested nearly $533 million in grant funds to support public infrastructure projects, with 259 awards spread out across 157 cities and towns. These grants have unlocked and leveraged over $10.8 billion in private investment, supported the creation of more than 17,000 new housing units, and led to tens of thousands of new permanent and construction jobs.
The MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, is a competitive grant program that provides a flexible source of capital funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities for public infrastructure projects that produce housing, create jobs, and generate additional private sector investment.
2020 MassWorks Grant Awards
“MassWorks provides essential funding to cities and towns for infrastructure projects that spur housing production, create jobs and attract private investment, which are particularly important during our economic recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We are grateful for our partnerships, both with the Legislature and with local officials, that make these investments possible, and we look forward to continued collaboration to support Massachusetts’ economy.”
“The MassWorks program plays a critical role in filling in the needed funding gaps that would otherwise keep these key projects from moving forward and inhibit substantial private investments in the main streets and downtowns of municipalities across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “By providing flexible funding to our local partners, we are empowering these communities to move ahead with projects that will have an immediate and lasting impact on their commercial districts, housing stock and residents.”
In total, the 2020 MassWorks awards will help create more than 3,500 new housing units, including over 1,000 affordable units; result in more than 3,900 new jobs, support over 7,000 construction jobs, and leverage more than $1.6 billion in private investment. Among this year’s projects, 23 are reactivating underutilized sites, 20 are transit-oriented developments, 14 have a mixed-use component; nine are in Gateway Cities, and eight are roadway projects in small and rural communities. Additionally, eight towns are receiving their first ever MassWorks award. The transformative projects funded by the 2020 awards were selected through a competitive process that received 100 applications, totaling nearly $208 million in requests.
“This year’s MassWorks round funds public infrastructure projects directly aligned with key strategic goals of our plan for economic recovery, namely, revitalizing our downtowns and main streets, getting people back to work, and supporting housing opportunity,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. “As part of our administration’s laser-focus on addressing the impacts of the pandemic, MassWorks makes the kinds of targeted investments that will foster economic recovery by unlocking new commercial and residential development, while also creating jobs, both during construction and on a permanent basis once the project is complete.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the Commonwealth’s hardest hit communities, the Administration prioritized projects that are at an advanced stage of planning, design, and permitting. These projects, which are ready to start construction in spring 2021, also support strategic goals that are central to Partnerships for Recovery. For example, the City of Haverhill will use MassWorks funds for infrastructure improvements that will unlock 290 housing units and new retail space, and create 20 permanent fulltime jobs. In Leominster, water and sewer upgrades will benefit the expansion of the Mall at Whitney Field. As a result of public infrastructure investments, the cities of Brockton and Pittsfield will also realize new redevelopment opportunities through both commercial and residential projects.
“These MassWorks grants are transformative for communities across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Eric P. Lesser, Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “During a time when we’re navigating economic recovery from the pandemic and being hit with a second wave, it is important to make these investments in our infrastructure to put people to work, rebuild our communities, and continue the fight for equal opportunity.”
“Congratulations to the grant recipients!” said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “As the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, I want to commend my colleagues for their steadfast support of MassWorks funding and working in partnership with the Administration to provide dollars to these vital projects to grow local jobs and generate revenue for cities, towns and the Commonwealth.
“The City of Pittsfield is pleased to have the support and commitment of the Baker-Polito Administration toward this important and transformational initiative in our community. The Tyler Street Streetscape and Roundabout project reflects a longstanding and concerted effort by many in the Morningside neighborhood,” said Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer. “As one of the first designated TDI districts in the Commonwealth, we are deeply grateful to MassDevelopment for its continuous support through the years in helping to foster and implement our vision for this critical neighborhood corridor in our city. Thank you for believing in us and our future.”
“Nantucket is grateful to be receiving its first MassWorks grant, particularly at this critical time,” said Dawn Hill Holdgate, Chair of the Nantucket Select Board. “Housing for our year-round community remains the #1 priority of the Select Board and this award will facilitate building the roadway infrastructure to support a new, 64-unit rental housing development on Town land where 80% of the residences will be income-restricted.”
“As chair of the Northfield Selectboard, I am honored to represent our community in the acceptance of this MassWorks infrastructure grant,” said Alex Meisner, Chair of the Northfield Selectboard. “Our aging Massachusetts roads will benefit greatly from this funding and I thank all involved parties who made this project possible.”
“Warwick appreciates the Commonwealth’s investment in our community’s joint effort with our neighbor Northfield to meet our needs to improve this connector roadway,” said Warwick Selectboard member Todd Dexter. “Half of all land in Warwick is state owned parks and reserves, land that contributes to our community character. This project addresses our need to adequately fund roads through these lands, something that is nearly impossible for a tiny town. We are grateful for this taxpayer support.”
Each year, the MassWorks program allocates 10 percent of awarded funds to assist municipalities with populations of 7,000 or less in completing roadway safety projects. Towns like Avon, Buckland, Harvard, Phillipston, and Plainfield will see extensive roadway improvements as well as upgrades to culverts and underground water and sewer utilities along critical thoroughfares utilized by emergency first responders, school buses, residents, and commuters. These MassWorks-funded projects will improve public safety, prevent the need for lengthy, long-term detours, and preserve housing density.
Since 2015, and including this year’s round, the Baker-Polito Administration has invested nearly $533 million in grant funds to support public infrastructure projects, with 259 awards spread out across 157 cities and towns. These grants have unlocked and leveraged over $10.8 billion in private investment, supported the creation of more than 17,000 new housing units, and led to tens of thousands of new permanent and construction jobs.
The MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program, administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, is a competitive grant program that provides a flexible source of capital funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities for public infrastructure projects that produce housing, create jobs, and generate additional private sector investment.
2020 MassWorks Grant Awards
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