Press Release: 2/26/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Nearly $2 Million for Municipal and Tribal Infrastructure Projects

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



2/25/2026



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Karissa Hand, Press Secretary



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Call Karissa Hand, Press Secretary at 617-725-4025



BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $1,939,250 in grant awards to support infrastructure projects in communities across Massachusetts. The awards were announced the awards at the monthly Federal Funds Partnership meeting for municipalities and tribes hosted by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO). The grant awards were made through two programs: the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) grant program and the Technical Assistance for Regional Planning Agencies (TARPA) programs, both administered by FFIO. Each program is designed to support communities with technical assistance needs for projects that have either received or are pursuing federal funding.



"These awards will allow municipalities to build safer roadways, invest in clean energy projects, and build more housing across the state,” said Governor Maura Healey. “When we entered office, we committed to pulling out all the stops to bring in more federal funding to Massachusetts projects. These grants will allow us to do so and will give our communities the critical support they need.”



"As a former Mayor, I understand the capacity constraints that municipal officials contend with every day,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Everytechnical assistance dollar we deliver is crucial to moving forward important projects in our communities; I’m thrilled to see these resources being delivered and look forward to seeing their impact in our communities.”



“Our team at the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office created these programs to respond directly to the technical assistance needs we’ve heard from communities across the Commonwealth,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Today’sawards will help us unlock federal dollars and advance key infrastructure projects across our state. I want to thank our partners in the legislature for providing these new resources to help our communities thrive.”



“Investing in local infrastructure projects is one of the most vital and direct ways that state government can deliver meaningful results for the people we serve,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for allocating these grants, and my colleagues in the Legislature for working to make the initial investments.”



“The Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Program ensures that cities, towns, and Tribal governments have the expertise and support needed to successfully pursue and manage federal infrastructure funding,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “By strengthening local capacity, these grants will help communities deliver critical projects that support housing, climate resilience, and economic development. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for advancing this work and look forward to seeing these investments make a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth.” 



FFIO heard consistently from communities across the state that more technical assistance is needed to advance key infrastructure projects.   



The MTTA and TARPA programs were enabled by legislation filed by Governor Healey, Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024 (“An Act to Provide for Competitiveness and Infrastructure Investment in Massachusetts”) to support infrastructure projects in cities and towns across the state. Governor Healey filed the legislation as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase Massachusetts’ competitiveness for federal funding and empower local governments with more resources to pursue federal opportunities. 



This round of Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Awards include:




  • Town of Agawam: $50,000 for activities related to clean energy investments at Agawam public schools

  • Town of Barnstable: $75,000 for activities related to the fish passage improvement project at the Upper Marston Mills Pond

  • City of Brockton: $125,000 for the city to cover costs associated with pursuing federal credit assistance to acquire the Aquaria Desalination Plant

  • City of Gardner: $150,000 to support planning and analysis related to a downtown economic impact study.  

  • City of Lawrence: $70,000 for activities related to the city’s FY’23 USDOT Safe Streets for All grant.  

  • City of Lynn: $200,000 for activities related to the South Harbor Implementation Plan project.

  • Town of Nantucket: $7,500 for activities related to investments in electric vehicles and charging stations made by the Town.

  • City of Newburyport: $4,000 for activities related to clean energy investments at the City’s new John F. Cutter Jr. Fire Station.  

  • North Shore Community Development Corporation: $195,000 for activities related to the El Centro project in Salem, a mixed-use redevelopment project incorporating 48 age-restricted affordable housing units, commercial space, and a community health center.

  • Town of Stoneham: $47,250 for activities related to seeking federal clean energy tax credits for a geothermal project at Stoneham High School.  

  • Town of Westhampton: $16,500 for activities related to seeking federal clean energy tax credits for solar projects at Westhampton’s Municipal Town Hall and the Westhampton Public Safety Complex.



The Technical Assistance for Regional Planning Agencies (TARPA) grant awards will be made to each of the state’s 13 regional planning agencies (RPAs). TARPA funds will be used to support the regional planning agencies with technical assistance related to projects that have received or are in pursuit of federal funding.  



"The Technical Assistance for Regional Planning Agencies program will help advance key infrastructure projects for communities, while enhancing our competitiveness for federal dollars,” said Linda Dunleavy and Jeff Walker, Co-Presidents of the Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies. “We're grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the legislature for making these resources available."  



TARPA grants have been made to the following organizations:




  • Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) – $142,816.21

  • Cape Cod Commission (CCC) - $128,647.18

  • Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) - $177,056.93

  • Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) - $133,005.67

  • Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC) - $66,666.67

  • Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) - $136,697.18

  • Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) - $431,578.07

  • Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) - $138,310.31

  • Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission (NP&EDC) - $33,333.33

  • Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) - $127,116.64

  • Old Colony Planning Council (OCPC) - $135,815.52

  • Pioneer Valley Planning Council (PVPC) - $183,284.70

  • Southeast Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD) – $165,671.59



Statements of Support: 



Agawam Mayor Christopher Johnson:



“The Town of Agawam is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office for their support through the MTTA grant program. This funding will allow us to retain specialized tax counsel to help navigate the federal Direct Pay provisions and ensure we maximize available incentives as we advance energy projects at our schools. This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver sustainable infrastructure improvements while responsibly leveraging federal resources for the benefit of our community.”



Gardner Mayor Mike Nicholson:



"Many cities and towns, like Gardner, have ambitious projects they’re eager to launch, but often lack the bandwidth or expertise to handle the planning and preparation required to qualify for funding. This grant for technical assistance to draft a Transit-Oriented Development and Economic Impact Study of Union Square in Gardner is a critical step that will unlock future funding opportunities, turning ideas into reality in the heart of our city. Technical assistance grants like this make the complex funding application process more accessible, helping local communities take the first step toward meaningful progress. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued partnership and support in building a stronger Commonwealth through stronger communities."



Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson:



"Our waterfront is one of Lynn's greatest assets, and this technical assistance funding is the spark we need to further ignite its development. This program allows us to advance our residents' goals in the City's South Harbor Implementation Plan (SHIP) and other planning efforts through a strategic approach to urban renewal that will benefit our residents for generations to come."



Stoneham Town Administrator Dennis Sheehan:



“The Town of Stoneham is grateful for the strong working relationship it shares with our state and federal colleagues. The $47,250 awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has supported the Town with the technical assistance needed to secure $5,965,688 in federal funding as part of its pursuit of a net-zero high school facility. Effective intergovernmental collaboration is critical at this juncture as we work to address challenges across our community, and we are especially appreciative of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our local delegation’s support on this and other important efforts in our community.”



Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn):



“Along with the creation of housing, jobs, and economic development, the South Harbor project will reconnect our residents to the waterfront through new recreation space. We appreciate the collaboration between the City of Lynn and the Healey-Driscoll 



administration that continues to create transformative opportunities such as this.” 



Senator Julian Cyr (D-Cape and Islands):



“The Town of Barnstable’s fish passage improvement project at Mill Pond is an important step toward restoring one of Cape Cod’s treasured natural resources.This $75,000 Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance award will help Barnstable move forward with the permitting work necessary to improve fish passage and strengthen the Mill Pond herring run. Healthy runs support wildlife, preserve a longstanding local tradition, and enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office for investing in projects that reconnect our waterways and protect the natural heritage that defines our region. This partnership ensures that communities like Barnstable have the tools they need to restore and sustain these iconic ecosystems for generations to come.”



Senator Peter Durant (R-Spencer):



"I'm very pleased to learn that Gardner was successful in obtaining funding from Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance grant program.The $150,000 is needed to properly prepare the city's anticipated application to garner federal grant funds. With technical assistance, the grant application will be more competitive, improving the city's chances for success."



Senator Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence):



"I’m pleased to see Lawrence receive a $70,000 technical assistance award.This support helps the city pursue federal funding and brings valuable tools, from planning to grant writing, directly to local leaders. Building capacity at the local level means better outcomes for residents, stronger infrastructure, and more opportunity for our community’s future.”



Senator John Velis (D-Westfield):



"Our office extends its sincere gratitude to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for selecting the town of Agawam as a recipient of the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance grant. This funding will provide Agawam with the necessary support to competitively pursue federal tax credits for investments and projects throughout the town that will benefit residents for many years." 



Representative Sean Reid (D-Lynn):



“We are grateful for the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s partnership, which once again demonstrates a commitment to helping communities reach their potential. This award strengthens Lynn’s capacity to pursue initiatives related to the South Harbor and improves the City’s ability to create long-term environmental and economic benefits for our residents.”



Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton):



"Supporting smaller, rural communities like Westhampton with targeted technical assistance ensures they have the capacity to access critical federal funding opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach due to limited staff and administrative resources. Through FFIO’s $16,500 MTTA award, the Town will be able to secure legal and CPA services needed to file required federal forms and receive Direct Pay clean energy tax credits for its solar projects, unlocking new revenue, advancing clean energy goals, and strengthening long term fiscal sustainability without placing additional burden on local taxpayers." 



Newburyport Senior Project Manager Geordie Vining:



“We greatly appreciate our city’s FFIO Technical Assistance Grant which supports securing federal funding for the photovoltaic panels on a new Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) fire station. Knowing that the Commonwealth actively “has our backs” makes the convoluted process of seeking federal funding much more bearable.”