The MassWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant program that provides the largest and most flexible source of capital funds to municipalities and other eligible public entities primarily for public infrastructure projects that support and accelerate housing production, spur private development, and create jobs throughout the Commonwealth.
Donor Name: Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
State: Massachusetts
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/02/2023
Details:
MassWorks is committed to helping communities prepare for success and contribute to the long-term strength and sustainability of the state. EOHED is particularly interested in projects in appropriately located, walkable, mixed-use districts and/or that support new economic development activity in underdeveloped or distressed areas.
The program solicits project proposals and makes grant awards during one annual competitive round. Evaluation of applications takes place over six to eight weeks, and projects that receive an award are expected to begin construction the following spring. Generally, the most competitive demonstrate “shovel ready” characteristics, these applications are:
- Advanced in their design and permitting; 25% design set or more,
- Ready to begin in the upcoming construction season,
- Leveraging related private development that is also ready to start construction in the near term,
- Aligned with the program’s spending targets, and the state’s sustainable development goals.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the MassWorks Program is to issue grants to municipalities and other public instrumentalities for design, construction, building, land acquisition, rehabilitation, repair and other improvements to publicly-owned infrastructure including, but not limited to, sewers, utility extensions, streets, roads, curb-cuts, parking, water treatment systems, telecommunications systems, transit improvements, public parks and spaces within urban renewal districts, and pedestrian and bicycle ways.
Uses of funds
Applicants may request capital grant funds for predevelopment activities and/or to cover any and all reasonable direct costs associated with the proposed improvements to the public infrastructure, including pre-construction expenses, direct construction costs, and the expenses for project administration. The applicant will be required to substantiate the total amount requested by providing evidence, such as an engineer’s cost estimate or similar documentation.
Eligible Projects
A proposed project must be for improvements to land and/or infrastructure that is currently publicly owned or can be acquired through public leasehold, right-of-way or easement in timely manner. Program investments will be targeted to projects that require the infrastructure improvements or expansion to support and/or facilitate new growth or address road safety issues. An applicant may submit more than one application in the same round for different projects.
Eligibility Criteria
Any Massachusetts city or town, acting by and through its municipal officers or by and through an agency designated by such municipal officers to act on their behalf, or any public entity, may apply to the program for a grant in a specified amount to fund a specified public infrastructure project. Two or more municipalities may apply jointly, with one municipality or another public entity acting as fiscal agent. An applicant may seek a MassWorks grants in addition to any other forms of local, state, and federal assistance received.
Eligible Expenses
- Predevelopment: Engineering documents, pre-permitting, proforma development, due diligence, etc.
- Pre-Construction: Design, final engineering/surveying, permitting, bidding, etc.
- Direct Construction: All earthwork and/or site work (for example, demolition, sidewalk and road construction, utility relocation, traffic signals, water/sewer extensions, bridge/culvert repairs, etc.)
- Contingency: up to 10% of Direct Construction Costs
- Construction Administration: Project management, traffic control, public safety details, etc.
For more information, visit MEOHED.
