Press Release: 2025-01-28
Governor Healey Announces Opening of 2026 Community One Stop for Growth Application Round
Application Portal Offers Massachusetts Communities Streamlined Process to Apply for 12 Economic Development Grant Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
1/27/2025
MEDIA CONTACT
Meggie Quackenbush, Director of Communications
Online
Email Meggie Quackenbush, Director of Communications at Margaret.M.Quackenbush@mass.gov
BOSTON — Today, at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Annual Connect 351 Conference, Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of the fiscal year 2026 application for the Community One Stop for Growth, an application portal overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) that provides a streamlined process for municipalities and organizations to apply for 12 state economic development grant programs.
One Stop grant programs are administered by EOED, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the quasi-public agency MassDevelopment. Programs in the One Stop offer direct funding and support to housing and economic development projects related to community activation and placemaking, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, and infrastructure.
"Each year, the Community One Stop for Growth invests millions of vital grant funds in projects that spur economic growth, boost housing production, add jobs and revitalize downtowns across Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are excited to launch the application for the next round of the One Stop and look forward to working with cities and towns across the state to bring their economic development goals to life.”
“The One Stop is an essential economic and housing development tool for our state that supports the economic development goals of cities and towns while empowering them to pursue their vision for growth,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Through this initiative, our administration will partner with communities to build vibrant downtowns and unlock economic potential in every region of Massachusetts.”
Municipalities and organizations wishing to apply for funding through the One Stop may begin by participating in an optional Expression of Interest process beginning today through March 26. During this time, applicants may receive guidance on priority projects from EOED staff before submitting a full application. Applicants may begin working on their applications now in the application portal; EOED will accept full application submission from May 5 through June 4, with awards announced in the fall. For more information and to learn how to apply, please visit www.mass.gov/onestop.
"From day one, the Healey-Driscoll administration has been committed to building an economy that works for everyone, in every region of Massachusetts,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The Community One Stop for Growth puts state grant funds behind transformative economic development projects that support our local and regional economies, and we’re thrilled to launch the 2026 application round.”
“The One Stop offers a streamlined process for communities, organizations, and developers to access a range of economic development grants and technical assistance across multiple agencies,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Navjeet Bal. “MassDevelopment is proud to administer five of the programs within the One Stop, adding to the portal this year our high-impact Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Equity Investment Program for Gateway Cities.”
This year, the One Stop will add two existing state economic development programs to the application portal: the Vacant Storefront Program and the TDI Equity Investment Program. The Vacant Storefront Program, which is administered by EOED, offers municipalities access to up to $50,000 of refundable tax credits they can use to incentivize businesses to occupy vacant storefronts within the community’s downtown and commercial areas. The TDI Equity Investment Program, administered by MassDevelopment through its Transformative Development Initiative(TDI), provides grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 to breathe new life into commercial spaces in and around designated TDI Districts in Gateway Cities.
EOED’s Urban Agenda Program will not be offered through the One Stop this year but will be offered through a new online portal opening in Spring 2025. This change will allow for greater flexibility and benefits for prospective grantees. Also new this year, the Collaborative Workspaces Program will be paused for the FY2026 One Stop application round; applicants are encouraged to apply to the Underutilized Properties Program instead when applicable. A full list of programs offered through the One Stop is available online.
Since its launch in 2021, the One Stop resulted in nearly 1,200 awards totaling more than $564 million in grant funds to 284 communities, including $170 million to Gateway Cities and $133 million to rural and small towns. The One Stop also ensures the equitable distribution of resources across all regions of the state. Of the projects awarded to date, 30 percent are located in a rural or small town, 47 percent are located in a Housing Choice Community, 54 percent are located in an MBTA Community, and 32 percent are located in a Gateway City. Visit www.mass.gov/onestop for more information.