Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Healey-Driscoll administration on Oct. 20 announced that applications are open for Build for Mass, a new $75 million revolving loan fund to help cities and towns finance infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience and economic development projects.
The program will provide flexible, low-interest financing to help communities cover upfront project costs, access federal funding, and move important projects forward.
Announced by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in a July meeting with local leaders, Build for Mass is administered by MassDevelopment and will prioritize Gateway Cities and rural communities to help ensure that more municipalities have access to the financing they need.
The administration said the program will help communities access affordable financing, make the most of federal funding, and advance infrastructure and clean energy projects.
Build for Mass offers two low-interest financing options:
• The General Loan Program provides low-interest loans to help municipalities bridge financing gaps for federally funded infrastructure projects, including neighborhood revitalization, seawalls, and other community improvements.
• The Green Loan Program provides bridge financing for municipal clean energy projects that qualify for the federal Direct Pay program, enabling cities and towns to receive tax credit reimbursements for eligible projects. Projects may include battery energy storage and ground-source heat pump systems that lower energy costs and improve energy efficiency. Private entities with a public purpose, such as health clinics, are also eligible for the Green Loan Program.
Build for Mass is funded through $50 million from the Massachusetts Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund, established through legislation filed by Gov. Maura Healey to help the state compete for federal funding. An additional $25 million from the Department of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, will support clean energy projects and help lower long-term energy costs.
Build for Mass will operate as a revolving loan fund, with MassDevelopment overseeing loan underwriting, servicing, and compliance. As municipalities repay their loans, those funds will be reinvested into additional projects, allowing the program to support multiple rounds of infrastructure investments over the next 20 years.