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The Healey-Driscoll administration today announced more than $45 million in grants to support 97 projects that will help communities across Massachusetts better withstand flooding, extreme heat, coastal erosion, and other climate impacts.
The funding, awarded through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ new Environment and Climate (ECO) One Stop program, will help strengthen infrastructure, restore and enhance natural resources, and improve public safety while making it easier to access state funding for climate resilience projects.
The administration announced the first round of ECO One Stop grant awards at Winter Island Park in Salem, where funding will support coastal bank restoration that protects the shoreline from storm damage and erosion. The project will improve public safety and pedestrian access, restore native vegetation, and preserve archaeological and historic resources dating back 6,000 years.
The administration said the funding will help communities protect residents, strengthen roads, dams, coastlines and other critical infrastructure, and lower costs.
The inaugural ECO One Stop pilot round includes seven state grant programs supporting projects that reduce climate risks and strengthen communities, including Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action, Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal, Coastal Resilience, Coastal Habitat and Water Quality, Cooling Corridors, Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance, Culvert Replacement Training Site, and Planning Assistance.
A total of 97 projects received awards, including 71 municipal projects, 14 regional planning agencies, seven nonprofit organizations, two Tribes, and three other public entities.
Funded projects include:
• South Hadley: Removing outdated dam control structures and restoring wetlands to reduce flood risk
• Chaubunagungamaug Band of Nipmuck Indians: Designing a Community Climate Resilience Hub
• Plymouth: Adding green infrastructure and tree plantings downtown to reduce flooding and extreme heat
• Westborough: Designing replacements of three undersized culverts to improve stormwater management
• Devens: Planting trees near critical community facilities to provide relief from extreme heat
• Haverhill: Developing a sustainable water supply plan to support future housing and economic growth
• Revere: Launching a residential flood resilience retrofit program
• Boston: Restoring wetlands and streams at the Boston Nature Center
• Martha’s Vineyard: Creating a comprehensive salt marsh restoration strategy across the island
Visit the ECO One Stop grants page for the full list of projects.
“The ECO One Stop program combines the power of many of the state’s major environmental grant programs in one place, so municipalities can act quickly and think creatively about how to invest in their communities,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper in a prepared statement. “Through this investment, we’re making sure that water has a safe place to go during downpours, that communities can cool down when temperatures rise, and that our most treasured natural resources are preserved for generations to come.”
Energy and Environmental Affairs sought extensive feedback from applicants about their experience using the new system, and will be working to incorporate improvements into the next 2027 grant round.
ECO One Stop is a key initiative under ResilientMass, the statewide climate adaptation plan to reduce risk and strengthen communities in the face of climate change impacts. The program is modeled on the success of Community One Stop for Growth, a similar combined grant program that focuses on economic development and housing.