Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Healey-Driscoll administration on Sept. 8 launched two grant programs that it said would advance local infrastructure and economic development projects and bring more federal dollars into Massachusetts.
The programs will provide technical assistance support for municipal and tribal infrastructure projects that are seeking federal funds or have received federal funds.
The administration created the programs with a focus on rural towns and Gateway Cities.
In a prepared statement, Gov. Maura Healey said the new tools “will provide critical support” to local leaders.
Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz said the grants “will help ensure that every community, regardless of size and access to resources, is well-equipped to compete for federal funding.”
The grant programs will be administered by the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office and draw on interest from the state’s stabilization fund, without reducing the fund’s balance. They were created through last year’s federal funds law.
MTTA
The competitive Municipal and Tribal Assistance Grant Program will allow local governments and federally recognized tribes to seek grants for infrastructure, climate and economic development project activities. About $2.5 million will be available over fiscal 2026 and 2027.
Applications must be intended for projects that are seeking or have received federal funding.
Eligible uses for these funds include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Tax assistance (e.g., filing forms with the IRS for Direct Pay)
• Grant writing
• Project scoping and financial analysis
• Planning and feasibility studies
• Demonstration activities
• Post-award grant management support
Applications for the MTTA program are now open online.
TARPA
The Technical Assistance Grants for Regional Planning Agencies will be a formula-based grant program to provide direct technical assistance to cities and towns, particularly for infrastructure, climate, and economic development projects. About $2 million will be available over fiscal 2026 and 2027.
Applicants must be one of the state’s 13 regional planning agencies that is seeking or has received federal funding.
TARPA funds may be used to address a variety of technical assistance needs for projects that RPAs are seeking or have received federal funds.
For more information, eligibility criteria, and upcoming events, visit the FFIO website or contact Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, associate director of federal funds and infrastructure, at [email protected].
A presentation on both of these programs, with opportunities for questions, will be held at the upcoming Federal Funds Partnership meeting on Sept. 23 via Zoom. Register here.