From the Office of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kimberley Driscoll:
Boston — On Monday, September 15, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $28.7 million in grants to help 54 Massachusetts communities prepare for increasingly extreme weather—including heat waves, flooding, wildfires, and storms. This year, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) made a targeted effort to recruit rural and small towns into the Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant program, with $11.1 million going specifically to those areas.
The funding supports real, on-the-ground improvements—such as rebuilding parks with shaded spaces where residents can cool off during heat waves, protecting wetlands that reduce flooding in neighborhoods, and designing safer, more affordable housing on higher ground. Other projects include new wildfire evacuation routes, culvert upgrades to stop roads from washing out, and emergency plans to protect people most at risk.
“Communities across Massachusetts are already feeling the impacts of rising heat, flooding, and other extreme weather. These grants give them the ability to prepare before disaster strikes—protecting homes, public spaces, and essential services,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “Preparation is the most affordable, effective way to protect people and avoid much higher costs down the road.”
“As a former mayor, I know how hard it can be for local governments to take on complex challenges while still keeping up with day-to-day services,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “MVP gives communities the resources to tackle problems like upgrading Gallow Hills Park and Bertram Field in Salem with green infrastructure solutions to mitigate flooding without having to choose between urgent needs and long-term safety.
The MVP program is a statewide initiative that helps cities and towns plan and implement locally driven strategies to deal with the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change. The program goes beyond funding plans—it helps communities turn those plans into action. Since its inception in 2017, MVP has funded over 500 projects ranging from stormwater system upgrades and cooling shelters to updated zoning and emergency-response planning.
This year’s initiative also emphasizes equity and inclusion. A new effort launched this year as part of MVP 2.0 pairs communities with equity partners—local organizations and individuals who specialize in community engagement. These partners help towns ensure that planning reflects the needs of all residents, especially those most at risk.
The MVP program is also a core piece of Gov. Healey’s recently proposed Mass Ready Act, which includes $315 million to further invest in local economies.
“We’re seeing more communities step up to address the real impacts they’re facing—hotter summers, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding,” said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These grants support that work by funding practical, local solutions. This year, we’re proud to welcome 17 first-time MVP Action grantees—towns and cities that are taking action to protect residents and build a more resilient community. The demand for MVP also underscores the importance of the Mass Ready Act, which will allow us to continue to support communities as they contend with increasingly destructive storms and heat.”
MVP is a priority program of ResilientMass, the statewide climate adaptation plan to reduce risk and strengthen communities in the face of climate change impacts.
To streamline the application process for resilience projects, the next round of MVP Action Grants will be part of the new Environment and Climate One Stop. This unified application platform will allow applicants to access multiple EEA grant programs that fund climate resilience and restoration projects. This pilot initiative will be modelled after the Executive Office of Economic Development’s Community One Stop for Growth. More information is available on the initiative’s webpage. EEA is accepting expressions of interest for new projects at this time.
“Communities throughout our region continue to demonstrate strong leadership in preparing for the impacts of climate change, and these MVP Action Grants provide critical resources to support those efforts,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – 1st Essex and Middlesex District). “Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll administration for releasing this important funding for essential local initiatives in Ipswich, Salisbury, and West Newbury. These projects will not only enhance public safety and protect vital infrastructure but also strengthen the ability of our coastal and riverfront communities to withstand increasingly severe storms and flooding.”
“Communities across our Commonwealth are grappling with hotter summers, stronger storms, and record flooding,” said State Sen. Jo Comerford (D – Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester District). “I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for expanding the Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program to include funding targeted for rural and small towns—ensuring that every community has the tools it needs to meet the challenges of a changing climate. This $11.1 million investment into our rural and small municipalities is driving forward key climate resilient infrastructure projects that are designed and constructed to serve our communities and residents for the next 100 years.”
“Municipalities like Hull are on the front lines of climate change and are among the first to feel the effects of sea level rise, flooding, and more intense storms,” said State Rep. Joan Meschino (D – 3rd Plymouth District). “MVP is a catalyst for investment in resilience, making our environments healthier and local economies stronger. We are thrilled to see this investment in the Hampton Circle neighborhood.”
“Two years ago, North Central Massachusetts faced devastating flooding that caused millions of dollars in damage,” said State Rep. Michael P. Kushmerek (D – 3rd Worcester District). “With this funding to support nature-based solutions, Fitchburg will be better equipped to manage future extreme weather events. I sincerely appreciate the Healey-Driscoll administration for their partnership in prioritizing public safety and infrastructure investment.”
“The Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness program has been a game changer for the Berkshires, giving our towns the tools to plan for and reduce the risks of climate change,” said State Rep. Leigh Davis (D – 3rd Berkshire District). “I’m thrilled to see two 3rd Berkshire projects supported—community-centered climate planning at Old Maid’s Park in Great Barrington and planning for a new Regional Public Safety Facility in West Stockbridge. These investments not only help us prepare for flooding, heat, and storms, they also make our parks more accessible, our neighborhoods safer, and our communities stronger for generations to come. I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration for prioritizing local climate resilience and supporting what matters most in our towns.”
The following communities in Berkshire County will receive funding to complete MVP Action Grants this year:
- Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (and Clarksburg) — Four Corners Floodplain Restoration and Flood Resilience Phase II (Design/Permitting): $445,020
- Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (and Pittsfield) — Pittsfield Westside Connectivity Project: $1,144,000
- Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (and Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, Becket) — Berkshire Climate Career Lab: $50,000
- Great Barrington — Resilient Housatonic: Community-Centered Climate Planning at Old Maid’s Park: $80,860
- West Stockbridge (& Stockbridge, Richmond) — Resilient Regional Public Safety Facility Master Plan Feasibility Study and Design: $348,140
