Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced $68 million in funding for infrastructure projects Friday that would support new housing, economic development, and road safety in communities across the state.
Part of the 2020 Round of MassWorks Infrastructure Grant Program, the funding awards will go to 36 projects in 35 cities throughout the state. The awards are part of the administration’s comprehensive economic recovery initiative, Partnerships for Recovery.
“MassWorks provides essential funding to cities and towns for infrastructure projects that spur housing production, create jobs and attract private investment, which are particularly important during our economic recovery,” Baker said. “We are grateful for our partnerships, both with the Legislature and with local officials, that make these investments possible, and we look forward to continued collaboration to support Massachusetts’ economy.”
Baker’s office said the MassWorks awards would create more than 3,500 new housing units – over 1,000 affordable units; result in more than 3,900 new jobs; support more than 7,000 construction jobs; and leverage more than $1.6 billion private investments.
Among the projects being funded are:
• $3,164,000 to Ayer, Mass., for the West Main Street Public Infrastructure Project that will make infrastructure improvement to mixed-use, multi-modal transit-oriented development for Ayer’s West Main Street Corridor and the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone, including improvements to water lines, ADA compliant sidewalks and bicycle lanes for commuter rail connectivity.
• $5,000,000 to Chelsea, Mass., for the Innes Apartments Redevelopment that will support improvements to the site owned by the Chelsea Housing Authority, including new water, sewer, and drainage systems, curbing and pavement, street trees, and lighting and signal improvements for the 328-unit housing complex.
• And $500,000 for Erving, Mass., to fund the IP Mill Access Road Design and Construction project that will improve the wastewater infrastructure at the former International Paper Mill property to prepare it for development into a mixed-use parcel for housing, commercial, light industrial spaces as well as conservation and recreation.
“The MassWorks program plays a critical role in filling in the needed funding gaps that would otherwise keep these key projects from moving forward and inhibit substantial private investments in the main streets and downtowns of municipalities across the Commonwealth,” Polito said. “By providing flexible funding to our local partners, we are empowering these communities to move ahead with projects that will have an immediate and lasting impact on their commercial districts, housing stock, and residents.”