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Community One Stop for Growth

The Community One Stop for Growth is a single application portal and collaborative review process of grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum.

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About the One Stop

One Stop Overview

The Community One Stop for Growth is a single application portal and collaborative review process of community development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum. This process streamlines the experience for the applicant and better coordinates economic development programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It also reorients the State from a passive reviewer of funding requests to an active partner in economic development strategy, priorities, and investment.

The One Stop benefits communities in the following ways, as they pursue state funding to realize their housing and economic development goals:

  • Ability to be considered by more than one grant program simultaneously, saving time on research and applications to different agencies and programs.
  • Guidance and State partnerships, allowing applicants to receive key feedback before dedicating valuable staff time completing a full application, and allowing the State to holistically and directly engage with local leadership.
  • Direct referrals to additional programs that applicants otherwise may not realize could support their priorities.
  • Removal of redundant legacy program processes and questions to streamline the application experience
  • A broader view of community priorities, allowing the state to understand community vision beyond four corners of a single, discrete application.
  • Collaborative review, allowing for State funding coordination and enhanced State awareness and support for community development goals.

​​​​​​For more information, please review the FY25 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

Key Actions   for About the One Stop

Download the FY25 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)  

The Development Continuum

The One Stop framework is modeled around a Development Continuum that represents the life cycle of a major community development endeavor, from the initial community visioning to final construction. The Development Continuum shapes the Full Application and serves as a guide to help applicants understand where their project falls within the One Stop, both in terms of timing and readiness. The Development Continuum includes five distinct categories, broken into two broad groups:

Categories Related to Preparing for Growth

Grants to support activities and initial steps by community-based actors to attract and guide private investment in a community.

  • Community Activation and Placemaking
  • Planning & Zoning
  • Site Preparation

Categories Related to Catalyzing Specific Projects

Grants to support implementation of construction activities to leverage private, commercial, industrial, residential investment projects, and other improvements that further the community vision.

  • Buildings (vertical construction)
  • Infrastructure (horizontal construction)

For more information on the Development Continuum, visit the One Stop for Growth Development Continuum webpage.

Key Actions   for The Development Continuum

Learn More About the One Stop Development Continuum 

One Stop Programs

For the FY25 Round, twelve (12) programs will be administered through the Community One Stop for Growth - one application door to access programs offered by the Executive Office of Economic Development, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and MassDevelopment. 

Executive Office of Economic Development

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

MassDevelopment

Visit program websites for program guidelines and program specific Full Application templates.

How to Apply

To apply for funding through the Community One Stop for Growth, applicants must complete and submit a Full Application through the IGX system.

Once your organization is registered in the IGX system, you may begin work on any available opportunities for the current round. Any designated user may access, edit, and/or save an application(s) on behalf of their organization. However, please note that only a Grant Administrator will be able to officially submit any applications.

The FY25 Round of the One Stop

Key Dates

  • Full Application Open - January 19, 2024
  • Expressions of Interest Open – February 9, 2024
    Expression of Interest submissions will be accepted through April 30, 2024
  • Webinars:
    • One Stop Webinars 
      • One Stop Webinar 1: One Stop Overview Webinar – February 5, 2024
      • One Stop Webinar 2: One Stop Application Guidance Webinar – February 7, 2024
      • One Stop Webinar 3: Prerecorded Technology Webinar – To Be Posted February 8, 2024
    • Program Webinars
      • Prerecorded webinars focused on each One Stop program – To Be Posted February 16, 2024
  • Full Application Submission Period Open - May 6, 2024
  • Full Application Submission Period Closes - June 5, 2024
  • Review & Evaluation - June-September 2024
  • Notification of Award - September 2024
  • Anticipated Contracting - October/November 2024

What’s New for FY25

The One Stop Team is pleased to announce a number of exciting improvements rolling out in the FY25 Round:

  • New Program: The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program - The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program, a new grant program offered by EOHLC, is now fully integrated into the One Stop. The HousingWorks Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant to municipalities and other public entities for a variety of infrastructure related activities to support and unlock housing opportunities. This grant program awards funds based on the project’s nexus with housing, transportation, infrastructure, and community development needs. Visit the HousingWorks Infrastructure Program website for program guidelines and additional information.
  • Simplified Development Continuum - The Development Continuum was updated to make it easier for applicants to understand where their project fits within the One Stop and which program is most likely to review the application. The Development Continuum categories are now made up of multiple Project Types, each tied to a One Stop program and named to describe the purpose of the program. When answering question 2.4 of the Full Application, applicants will be able to see which program is tied to each available Project Type option by hovering over the accompanying radio button.
  • Improved Expression of Interest Process - The Expression of Interest (EOI) process has been updated for the FY25 round to make filling out an EOI form as easy and quick as possible for applicants. Improvements to the EOI process include:
    • Easier Access - The EOI is now available as a simple webform accessed through the One Stop website. Prospective applicants no longer need to register and/or log into the IGX system in order to access the EOI.
    • Applicants May Submit Multiple EOI Forms - The former limit of one EOI submission per organization has been removed and applicants may return to submit additional EOI forms. Although there is no longer a limit to the number of submissions, applicants are still encouraged to prioritize their projects prior to submitting their EOI(s).
    • An Even Simpler EOI Form - The EOI form has been simplified to only require a brief description and a multiple choice questions for each project proposed. Applicants will complete a separate EOI Form for each project that they would like feedback on.
    • Expedited Feedback Delivery - The streamlined form reduces the time required for staff to review each EOI and allows for a prompt delivery of the EOI Feedback Report to the applicant.
  • Staff Office Hours - To supplement the guidance received in the EOI process, One Stop staff and program managers will now host two separate virtual office hour series to answer applicant questions.  First, One Stop General Guidance Office Hours will be held by One Stop staff to answer general One Stop process and technology questions. In addition, Individual Program Office Hours will be held by each program to allow applicants to ask program staff questions related to the program. All office hours will be open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time.
  • Program Specific Webinars - In addition to the three One Stop virtual sessions hosted each year, One Stop program managers will record a webinar specific to their  respective program. Each webinar will provide an overview of the program, including information about eligibility, project competitiveness, and examples of past awards. All program webinars will be posted to the One Stop website on February 16, 2024.
  • Consolidated Full Application - The Full Application has been consolidated into three forms that all applicants must complete: Form 1. Applicant Information, Form 2. Project Information, and Form 3. Certification. The Project Information form now includes all questions related to the project; applicants will be able to view all questions required through the Project Core as well as any additional Development Continuum category and Housing Choice additional questions required, depending on the application. The former Additional/Optional Attachments section is now included at the end of Form 2 as well.
  • Redundant Questions Removed - Questions within the Project Core were altered and expanded to eliminate questions that produced similar answers throughout the application. This exercise allowed for the complete elimination of the Community Activation & Placemaking and Planning & Zoning additional questions. Applicants applying for funding through these categories will only see the questions in the Project Core on Form 2.

Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is an optional short form that gives prospective Community One Stop for Growth  applicants the opportunity to receive guidance on priority projects before submitting a Full Application. The Expression of Interest is optional but highly encouraged.

The EOI Feedback Report informs the applicant whether their projects are a fit for the funding opportunities within the One Stop. If so, the report will indicate where the project falls on the Development Continuum, the program that best fits the project, tips on how to be competitive for the program, as well as important project budget and timeline considerations.

In other cases, the report may tell the applicant that their project is not a fit for the programs offered through the One Stop. If a state program offered outside of the One Stop is a better fit for the project, the EOI Feedback Report may include a referral to the program.

It is important to note that any eligible applicant may submit a Full Application, regardless of whether they participated in the EOI process or not.

Key Actions   for Expression of Interest

Get Guidance About your Project by Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) 

Virtual Office Hours

To supplement the guidance received in the EOI process, One Stop staff and program managers will now host two separate virtual office hour series to answer applicant questions:

  • One Stop General Guidance Office Hours – One Stop staff, and a representative from each agency, will hold several office hours to answer general One Stop process and technology questions.
  • Individual Program Office Hours – Each program in the One Stop will host a separate office hour session to allow applicants to ask program staff questions related to the program.

All office hours will be open to the public. The full schedule of Virtual Office Hours, with registration links for each, is available in the Key Dates section above.

Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for the office hour sessions they plan to attend ahead of time. Attendees can use the form below to submit questions for each office hour session up to 48 hour prior to the start of the session.

Key Actions   for Virtual Office Hours

Submit a Question for Virtual Office Hours 

Full Application

The Full Application is the form that applicants must complete and submit to formally apply for funding. The Full Application must be submitted via the IGX system.

Applicants may submit multiple projects for consideration but must submit one application per project. The number of project applications submitted is not limited, but it is recommended that communities prioritize their requests. The Full Application opens in January 2024 for applicants to begin working on their applications. Applicants will be able to submit their application beginning May 6, 2024. The final submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on June 5, 2024.

Key Actions   for Full Application

Request Funding Through The One Stop IGX Application Portal 

One Stop Resources

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The FY25 Community One Stop for Growth Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will be published when the Full Application opens in January.

FY25 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

Webinars

Three webinars will be made available, covering an overview of the Community One Stop for Growth, reframing a grant application for the One Stop, and using the Agate technology platform:

Watch Recordings and Download Presentations

Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to common One Stop questions, visit the Community One Stop for Growth Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Full Application Sample Templates

The FY25 Full Application Sample Templates show the questions that applicants will be asked based on the type of project being proposed. Applicants are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest to understand where their project fits within the One Stop.

Note: Templates are provided to allow applicants to create drafts of their work before formally submitting. The Full Application must be submitted via the IGX system to be considered for funding.

Community Activation & Placemaking

Technical Assistance for Downtowns - Massachusetts Downtown Initiative

Equitable Workforce and Business Development Programming - Urban Agenda Grant Program

Planning & Zoning

Community Plan, Zoning Revision, or Planning for Housing - Community Planning Grant Program

District Redevelopment Technical Assistance - Real Estate Services Technical Assistance

Site Preparation

Brownfield Site Clean Up - Brownfield Redevelopment Fund

Site Improvements to Unlock Development - Site Readiness Program

Municipal Surplus Property Disposition - Real Estate Services Technical Assistance

Building

Underutilized Property Rehabilitation: Predevelopment - Underutilized Properties Program

Underutilized Property Rehabilitation: Construction - Underutilized Properties Program

Creating Collaborative Workspace - Collaborative Workspace Program

Community Led Housing Production - Housing Choice Grant Program

Infrastructure

Public Infrastructure to Support Housing Growth (Residential Only): Predevelopment - HousingWorks Infrastructure Program

Public Infrastructure to Support Housing Growth (Residential Only): Construction - HousingWorks Infrastructure Program

Public Infrastructure to Support Mixed-Use and/or Commercial/Industrial Growth: Predevelopment - MassWorks Infrastructure Program

Public Infrastructure to Support Mixed-Use and/or Commercial/Industrial Growth: Construction - MassWorks Infrastructure Program

Small Town Road Improvements to Enhance Public Safety (aka STRAP) - MassWorks Infrastructure Program

Past Awards

The first three rounds the One Stop have resulted in a combined 869 successful applications, totaling over $396.3 million in funding across 243 Massachusetts communities. All awards granted in the first two rounds of the One Stop can be viewed via the links below.

FY24 Community One Stop for Growth Awards 

FY23 Community One Stop for Growth Awards

FY22 Community One Stop for Growth Awards

Key Actions   for One Stop Resources

Watch Recordings and Download Presentations  One Stop Frequently Asked Questions  FY24 Community One Stop for Growth Awards  FY23 Community One Stop for Growth Awards  FY22 Community One Stop for Growth Awards 
Image credits:  Shutterstock

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