Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
On Nov. 6, the MMA hosted a webinar to review the various initiatives and grant programs recently launched by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Speakers included (clockwise from top left) MassDOT Regional Transportation Manager Lily Wallace, Spencer Utilities and Facilities Superintendent Peter Boria and MassDOT Community Grants Administrator Kristen Rebelo.
On Nov. 6, the MMA hosted a webinar to review the various initiatives and grant programs recently launched by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Community Grants Administrator Kristen Rebelo said MassDOT was launching two new grant programs on Nov. 6, as well as a fully integrated application, which combines all of the Highway Division’s competitive grant programs in one.
The new grant programs for municipalities are for community culverts and unpaved roadways. Rebelo discussed each program’s structure, examples of eligible versus ineligible projects, its selection criteria, and application information.
MassDOT’s fully integrated application streamlines the process for municipalities. Applicants no longer need to know which program best suits their project; they will answer questions about their project and be assigned to the most applicable program.
Lily Wallace, regional transportation manager on MassDOT’s Municipal Planning and Support Team, discussed another new program — Learning Early Action Planning — designed to provide early-stage planning and project development assistance for underserved communities. Eligible assistance includes support for concept development, safety or traffic analyses, cost estimation, and technical assistance.
LEAP is making $1 million available to municipalities during fiscal 2026. Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis, and Wallace said MassDOT is actively reviewing the first set of applications now.
Local leaders are encouraged to visit GrantCentral for more information on MassDOT’s programs.
Peter Boria, the utilities and facilities superintendent in Spencer, moderated 30 minutes of questions and answers, addressing inquiries regarding applying for multiple programs, whether matching funds are required, and how many LEAP requests can be submitted.
• Grant Central updates, new programs launch and the LEAP program (7.5M PDF)