Community One Stop for Growth seeks Expressions Of Interest for FY24

The Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development is launching the fiscal 2024 Community One Stop for Growth application process tomorrow with the opening of the Expression of Interest period.

Submission of an Expression of Interest is a highly recommended but optional step in the process to compete for funding through the Community One Stop program. Organizations may submit one EOI to seek input on a number of potential projects. Applicants that submit an EOI by Feb. 3, 2023, may seek input on up to five project ideas, while those who submit EOIs after Feb. 3 may seek input on up to two projects.

The EOI period is open through March 17, 2023.

EOIs are reviewed by staff at all participating agencies, and feedback will be provided to help potential applicants strengthen prospective grant applications.

Details about the EOI process, including an EOI template, are available online.

Community One Stop, which was unveiled at the MMA Annual Meeting in January 2021, is a single application portal and collaborative review process to help cities and towns compete for state grant funding for housing and economic development programs. Communities can be considered by multiple grant programs simultaneously, have access to guidance and partnership from state agencies, and are able to receive referrals to additional funding opportunities. The program also helps the state better understand the community development needs and goals in municipalities throughout the Commonwealth, which better informs funding opportunities and coordination.

Community One Stop uses a framework modeled on a Growth Development Continuum that represents the life cycle of a major community development project from initial visioning to final construction. The Development Continuum informs the application process and includes five categories, in two broad groups: Grants that help communities prepare for growth by supporting actions and preliminary steps to guide and attract private investment; and grants meant to catalyze specific projects by supporting implementation of construction activities to leverage private, commercial, industrial and residential investments.

Twelve programs will be administered through the fiscal 2024 application process:
Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• MassWorks Infrastructure Program
• Urban Agenda Grant Program

Department of Housing and Community Development
• Housing Choice Grant Program
• Massachusetts Downtown Initiative
• Community Planning Grant Program
• Rural and Small Town Development Fund

MassDevelopment
• Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
• Site Readiness Program
• Underutilized Properties Program
• Collaborative Workspace Program
• Real Estate Services Technical Assistance
• Commonwealth Places Programs

The full application period for fiscal 2024 will open in May 2023 and close on June 2, 2023.