On September 24, the Massachusetts legislature sent https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2954 to Governor Healey’s desk. This bill is designed to help the state pay down long-term debt and better compete in the battle for federal funds. ACEC/MA has been advocating for this bill.
Governor Healey signed into law an ambitious plan to dramatically improve the state’s ability to bring in federal funding for infrastructure, climate and economic development projects. The legislation unlocks unprecedented resources for communities to compete for federal grants, clearing the way for further federal investment in the Massachusetts priorities.
The legislation will leverage interest from the state’s stabilization fund, without reducing the current balance, to create a matching fund pool of up to $750 million to pursue federal funds. The bill allocates up to $12 million for technical assistance for local governments and tribes, and up to $50 million for grants, loans and other financial assistance for federal programs.
This is now Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024
Older news:
On September 19, the Massachusetts legislature sent https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2954 to Governor Healey’s desk. This bill is designed to help the state pay down long-term debt and better compete in the battle for federal funds. ACEC/MA has been advocating for this bill.
On September 18, 2024, Ways and Means Chairs Rodrigues and Michlewitz issued a statement hat the branches are finalizing a conference committee report regarding S.2554 and H.4446, which would enable the state to leverage interest from the state's Stabilization Fund to help compete for federal matching funds. The statement indicated that they expect to take up the conference report before the end of the week of September 17. ACEC/MA has supported these bills this session.
We will post an update on this page when we have more information.
[Photo Credit, Coleman Lynds, Rasky Partners]
PDF of Quentin Palfrey's Presentation
On October 27, 2023, ACEC/MA's Board of Directors, Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and other firm leaders met with Quentin Palfrey, Governor Maura Healey's Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure, as well as Roger Brunelle, Senior Advisor for Labor and Workforce Engagement in the Massachusetts Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO).
Quentin discussed some of the many successful federal funding grant applications, including the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC), which was awarded $19.7 million in CHIPS and Science funding for a DoD microelectronics regional hub that includes a coalition of 90 organizations from across the Northeast assembled and led by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
He also discussed some pending grant applications for Allston Multimodal, the Cape Cod Bridges, the North Station Flooding on Morrissey Boulevard (Dorchester), State and Local Cybersecurity, Wildlife Crossing on Route 7 in Stockbridge, Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program, and Solar for All.
He noted that Governor Healey's newly filed legislation (S.2482, An Act to provide for competitiveness and infrastructure investment in Massachusetts) is designed to unlock $800 Million to Compete for Federal Funding, as well as an Executive Order formally creating Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office, working group for municipalities (more here: https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-files-legislation-unlocking-800-million-to-compete-for-federal-funding)
Plans include creation of an infrastructure bank and a clearinghouse on federal grant opportunities for municipalities that is in beta to leverage funding,
ACEC/MA members discussed some of the challenges they see in working with public sector clients on grant applications.
FFIO is focused in helping Massachusetts and its municipalities and tribal authorities to be successful in securing as many available grants as possible from those coming from the federal government. They are planning to provide technical assistance in completing the grant applications as well as any needed advocacy once submitted. While many of our member firms currently provide some of this work as advisors to the municipalities, FFIO wants to be a resource for our local governments so that the Commonwealth can be proactive in responding to the Notice of Funding Opportunities very quickly. ACEC/MA and our member firms welcome the opportunity to work with FFIO in these efforts.
Quentin also discussed the Massachusetts Federal Funds Partnership, a series of zoom meetings , where municipal and tribal leaders will come together to explore federal funding opportunities, foster collaboration with state agencies, and address the barriers entities face when applying for federal funds. The meetings are designed to enhance funding resources and support for Massachusetts municipalities and tribes. You can register to be a part of this important discussion on this page.
Zoom sessions are planned for: Nov 28, 2023 02:00 PM, Dec 19, 2023 02:00 PM, Jan 23, 2024 02:00 PM, Feb 27, 2024 02:00 PM, Mar 26, 2024 02:00 PM, Apr 23, 2024 02:00 PM, May 28, 2024 02:00 PM
--- posted by Abbie Goodman on 10/30/2023
ACEC/MA members only pay the ACEC/MA member rate for registration. Check the ACEC/MA Member Directory to see if your firm is an ACEC/MA member. If your firm is an ACEC/MA member, you are a member.
Important: You must use the account, including the username and password, of the individual you wish to register.
Forgot your password? | Need an account?
IMPORTANT: Altering your name or contact information during registration will overwrite your record in our membership database. Please do not share your login information with anyone else.
If you have additional questions regarding registration, contact us at 617/227-5551 or acecma@engineers.org.
Registration is processed through the ACEC/MA associated website, www.engineers.org. ACEC/MA is supported by the staff of The Engineering Center Education Trust.
