Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll made an announcement on Saturday regarding the release of $10 million in disaster relief funding. This funding is intended to assist communities that were affected by the flooding that occurred last year.
In the first round, several communities in Worcester County were allocated disaster relief funds. Fitchburg, in particular, received over $1 million in funding. The town of Billerica in Middlesex County received $165,000 in aid, making it the sole relief recipient in the county.
The funding has been allocated from the supplemental budget that was approved by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey in December. A supplemental budget has been approved, allocating $15 million to municipalities affected by extreme weather. This funding aims to assist with the costs of damage and emergency response incurred over the past year.
According to Healey, she and Driscoll made a point to visit the communities across the state that were hit hardest by the severe weather.
“We were aware of the need for additional support to aid in the reconstruction efforts, and thus collaborated with the Legislature to successfully secure the necessary disaster relief funds,” stated Governor Healey. The first round of funds will be delivered to 37 cities and towns, aiming to alleviate the burden they have been experiencing. Additionally, support for municipalities will be increased to help them mitigate the risk of flooding in their communities through the MVP Program.
Several towns in Worcester County have recently received disaster relief funds. Fitchburg was allocated $1.14 million, while North Brookfield, Royalston, and Sturbridge received $100,000, $20,000, and $20,000 respectively. A total of $10 million was distributed to 37 communities in the initial round of funding. The remaining $5 million will be disbursed later this spring to provide assistance to municipalities affected by the storms that occurred in September.
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In a recent announcement, Driscoll revealed that the administration will be boosting funding for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program by a significant 35%. Communities will receive an additional $7 million in funding to address the issue of inland flooding through nature-based solutions.
This funding will support their efforts in planning, designing, and constructing these solutions. In a recent development, the Healey-Driscoll administration has announced the opening of applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Community One Stop for Growth program. This program provides an opportunity for municipalities to apply for funding through various state community and economic development grant programs.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing the major challenges that our 351 cities and towns are facing. Drawing from her experience as the former Mayor of Salem, she highlighted the firsthand knowledge she has gained in this regard.
Annually, we are pleased to present the Community One Stop for Growth program. This initiative aims to simplify the application process for communities seeking essential state funding to enhance the well-being of their residents. By reducing bureaucracy and eliminating unnecessary hurdles, we strive to improve the overall quality of life in these communities.
