Massachusetts communities need more housing and business growth, but many projects stall before construction can begin because the upfront costs of site work and infrastructure are too high.
A new $330 million round of state funding is meant to help move those projects past that barrier.
Here's what to know
According to the Fall River Reporter, Gov. Maura Healey announced support for 403 housing and economic development projects spread across 207 Massachusetts communities.
State officials estimate the awards will help draw about $24.6 billion in private investment while supporting more than 27,000 homes, over 13,000 permanent jobs, and upward of 7 million square feet of commercial space.
In announcing the initiative, Healey said the funding is intended to help bring life back into overlooked and underused properties, so they can be used as places to live and do business.
"We're investing in communities across Massachusetts to create the housing, jobs and economic growth our state needs," she said. "These awards will turn underused properties into new homes and businesses, strengthen downtowns, create good jobs and unlock billions of dollars in private investment. That means more opportunity for families, workers and businesses in every part of our state."
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The money is being routed through 14 grant programs tied to the Community One Stop for Growth program, which is overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development, along with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and MassDevelopment.
Half of the funded projects are in MBTA Communities, while 37% are in Housing Choice Communities, 24% are in Gateway Cities, and 36% are in rural areas. Thirteen communities are receiving a One Stop grant for the first time.
More background
Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Juana Matias said, "With these awards, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is making the state's largest ever investment in local infrastructure to support the development of new housing. This is the roads, water, and site work that has to happen before a single home can be built. These investments unlock housing across the Commonwealth, and we're thrilled to see local leaders putting them to work."
Aid from the public sector helps cover basic infrastructure and site preparation, offering better positioning to attract private developers and move projects ahead.
Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley said the awards will help communities "prepare sites for development, improve infrastructure, bring underused properties back into productive use and support thousands of new jobs and homes across Massachusetts."
What's being done?
One example is in Fall River, where MassCan Capital received a $2.5 million Housing Development Incentive Program award plus $250,000 in grants for an adaptive reuse project at Globe Yarn Mills worth more than $20 million.
The Fall River Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit allowing the mill to be converted into 89 apartments with 89 parking spaces and landscaping. The plan calls for four studios, 57 one-bedroom units, and 28 market-rate two-bedroom units. Completion is expected in 2027.
Gov. Healey's plan to offer grants in aid of economic development is one example of the government stepping in and stimulating growth for local communities.
Where can I learn more?
If you want a look at how communities are handling major development and public-investment choices, the articles below offer a few examples.
• In Westfield, residents are up in arms over a $4 billion data center proposal.
• In Enfield, North Carolina, the mayor unveiled a clean energy plan to revitalize the town.
• In Concord, a middle school rooftop array could still start by summer despite setbacks.
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