Press Release: 7/22/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces nearly $1 Million in Grants for Local Infrastructure Projects

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



7/21/2026



 



BOSTON — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $904,985 in grant awards to advance local infrastructure projects and help communities across Massachusetts compete for federal funding. Grants were awarded to transportation, clean energy, and resilience projects in 21 communities across the state. Fourteen awards were made to rural communities.  



The awards were made via the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) program, administered by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. The program supports technical assistance activities for projects that are seeking or have received federal funds.   



“These awards will not only help cities and towns deliver key projects and plan for future needs, they will allow more communities to compete for federal dollars,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration has made it a priority to pursue every federal dollar available, and these grants will enable more communities to do so.”  



"Moving infrastructure projects forward starts with building local capacity,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I know firsthand that local officials often have to balance many competing needs with limited resources, and these grants will give communities the tools they need to advance key projects. I look forward to seeing work get underway in communities across the state.”   



“Today’s awards will provide meaningful support to communities that are faced with significant infrastructure needs and strained resources,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We created the MTTA program to move forward the projects that communities care about and build their capacity to receive federal support. I’m proud to see our third round of funding go out the door into communities and look forward to seeing the impact of these resources.”  



“Our cities and towns are the heart of our communities. These grants will strengthen local capacity and help communities move key infrastructure projects forward, plan for future needs, and better compete for every available federal dollar," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "Our municipalities juggle many competing priorities with limited resources, and this support will give them the tools they need to advance critical projects. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for its leadership, and I look forward to seeing this work take shape in communities across the Commonwealth.” 



The MTTA program was 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 advance infrastructure projects. 



This round of Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance awards was made to the following projects (*denotes that the community is designated as rural):  




  • Town of Marion* - $45,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.   

  • City of Northampton - $30,000 to support filing for Direct Pay clean energy tax credits with the IRS, specifically for a ground-source heat pump installation project at Northampton High School. Support from MTTA to Northampton will enable the city to secure these credits—representing a meaningful financial return on its clean energy investments—that would otherwise go unclaimed.  

  • Town of Franklin & Town of Bellingham - $30,000 for the municipalities, who applied jointly, to update their joint Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Whately* - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Conway* - $35,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Deerfield* - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Berkshire Regional Planning Commission* - $64,700 for the regional planning agency, along with partners at Williams College and Luminary Evaluation, to administer a University of Michigan-designed Transportation Security Index (TSI) survey as a part of federal funds awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation RAISE/BUILD grant to the Adventure to Ashuwillticook Trail (A2A Trail).   

  • Town of Montague* - $110,000 for the town to complete preliminary design work to reconstruct the existing signalized intersections of Avenue A and 3rd Street and Avenue A and 7th Street in the subsection of Turners Falls.  

  • Town of Shelburne* - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Becket* - $25,000 to support filing for Direct Pay clean energy tax credits with the IRS, specifically for a wind turbine project. Support from MTTA to Becket will enable the town to secure these credits—representing a meaningful financial return on its clean energy investments—that would otherwise go unclaimed.  

  • Town of Clarksburg* - $25,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Walpole - $35,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.   

  • Town of Plainville - $45,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Tyngsborough - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.   

  • Town of Pelham* - $35,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.   

  • Town of Rowe* - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.   

  • City of Woburn - $147,785 for the city, in collaboration with the Mystic River Watershed Association, to contract with Weston & Sampson, Inc., an engineering, environmental, and infrastructure consulting firm to construct a fish passage at Horn Pond, which previously received a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant. MTTA funding will cover construction observation activities to ensure the project moves forward.  

  • Town of Worthington* - $27,500 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. (HMP).  

  • Town of Hatfield* - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Needham - $40,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  

  • Town of Gill* - $30,000 for the town to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.    



This is the third round of Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance awards made by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO). In total FFIO has awarded $2,948,935 in MTTA grants to communities across Massachusetts.    



Statements of support:    



Becket Town Administrator Katherine A. Warden:    



"The Town of Becket, the Becket Energy Committee and Becket residents are very grateful for this MTTA award supporting our Small Wind Turbine project. Once operational, the turbine is expected to provide renewable, green power for all the electricity needs of the Becket Town Hall and a portion for our Town Highway garage for the next 50 years of its expected lifespan."    



Hatfield Select Board Chair Luke Longstreeth:    



"The Town of Hatfield is grateful for the Commonwealth's support through the MTTA program and looks forward to working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Town has crucial infrastructure that needs securing from flooding and other hazards that are becoming more common, and this grant will better help us prepare and protect the Town."    



Needham Town Manager Katie King:    



“The Town of Needham is grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Commonwealth's Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office for this funding to update Needham's Hazard Mitigation Plan. This will help the Town better prepare for future hazards by improving risk assessment and planning strategies to protect our residents, infrastructure, and essential services for years to come.”    



Tyngsborough Town Manager Colin F. Loiselle:    



"Tyngsborough is incredibly grateful to FFIO's Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program for the funding necessary to update our Hazard Mitigation Plan. This update will allow us to build a safer, more resilient community and protect our residents and infrastructure from future natural disasters before they strike."    



Whately Town Administrator S. Peter Kane:    



"It's more important than ever for municipalities to prepare for natural disasters to keep residents safe and support long-term community resilience. Without this grant funding, the Town of Whately would have struggled to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan, leaving residents more vulnerable to future disasters. We are grateful for the Commonwealth's support of this project and the opportunity it provides to safeguard our community."    



Woburn Mayor Michael Concannon:    



“The City of Woburn is proud to receive a FFIO's Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) grant. The new fish passage at Scalley Dam will allow river herring access to much-needed spawning habitat in Horn Pond. It will also serve as a beacon of nature-based education for visitors of all ages.”    



State Senator Cindy F. Friedman:    



"The Horn Pond Fish Passage project is one step closer to completion, improving the habitat for river herring in Woburn. This grant represents what is possible when we leverage existing government resources to unlock funding opportunities. I thank the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office for their support of the city of Woburn, and I look forward to seeing the completed project.”    



State Senator Becca Rausch:     



“A comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan is essential for every community to reduce the risks of a disaster while preparing resources to respond to one effectively. Congratulations  



 to Needham and Plainville on securing these grants to enhance their plans and further improve residents’ safety, and thank you to our partners in the Healey-Driscoll Administration for issuing these important funds.”    



State Representative John Barrett III:    



"The Healey-Driscoll Administration's MTTA investment will provide valuable insight into transportation needs across the Northern Berkshires and help guide future improvements to the Adventure to Ashuwillticook Trail. I am also pleased to see Clarksburg receive this funding to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan. Planning ahead is essential to protecting residents, strengthening the town's resilience, and ensuring Clarksburg is well-positioned to pursue future federal funding opportunities. I appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration's continued commitment to supporting municipalities, and the partnership of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and Williams College in supporting projects that make our communities safer and more connected.”    



State Representative Leigh Davis:     



"This grant is a great example of how targeted state support can help small rural communities take advantage of federal opportunities. I’m proud to see Becket receive this funding, which will help the town secure clean energy tax credits and move its wind turbine project forward. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to invest in communities across the Berkshires."    



State Representative Mark Sylvia:     



"I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office for awarding the Town of Marion $45,000 through the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan," said State Representative Mark Sylvia.  "This funding will help Marion remain eligible for critical federal disaster mitigation assistance while strengthening the town's resilience and ability to prepare for future natural hazards."    



State Representative Marcus Vaughn:     



"This funding is a vital step forward for Walpole. By updating the town's Hazard Mitigation Plan through the MTTA program, we aren't just reinforcing our infrastructure against natural disasters—we are proactively positioning Walpole to unlock significant long-term FEMA funding and federal infrastructure dollars. I appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to building capacity in our municipalities, and I want to thank the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office for their continued investment in the safety, resilience, and economic future of our district."    



Montague Assistant Town Administrator Chris Nolan-Zeller:    



“The Town of Montague would like to express its gratitude for the award of technical assistance funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. This award of $110,000 will allow us to move forward with engineering badly-needed upgrades to two of the Town’s busiest street intersections in the village of Turners Falls. As a small town with only two traffic lights, both of which are at least 40 years old, the Town will now be prepared to perform the planning and engineering work needed to upgrade the two intersections, including replacement of the dated signal equipment at both locations. Without this award, the Town would not be able to begin addressing this project, increasing the risk of signal failure. This award is a crucial component of our efforts to ensure that our revitalized and increasingly vibrant town center is supported by strong and dependable infrastructure.”    



Shelburne Emergency Management Director Thomas A. Williams:   



“On behalf of the town of Shelburne, MA I’d like to say how greatly appreciative we all are for FFIO's Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) grant award.  This award will allow a new group of residents to assemble to review and update the town’s mitigation plan developed five years ago with such expertise that it will be a challenge to improve upon. This update will develop not only an updated plan but also advance the expertise of emergency management demands in our residents. Thank you.”  



Pelham Emergency Management Director Derick Lamoureux:  



"On behalf of the Town of Pelham, we are thrilled to receive this grant funding to support the update of our Hazard Mitigation Plan. Effective hazard mitigation planning helps our community better understand its risks and identify practical, achievable strategies to reduce impacts from natural and human-caused hazards. This award provides an important opportunity to strengthen Pelham's preparedness and resilience for years to come, and we are grateful for the Commonwealth's support in helping us advance this critical work.  



Worthington Emergency Management Director David Mendelson:   



"This grant will help the Town of Worthington update our current Hazard Management Plan, to reflect changes in current risks, as well as incorporating new risks related to climate change and new technologies."  



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