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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Table of Contents
About the One Stop
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 will streamline the experience for the applicant and better coordinate economic development programs and staff on engagement and grant making. It will also reorient 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 as they pursue state funding to realize their housing and economic development goals:
- Ability to be considered for 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 completing a full application, and allowing the State to holistically and directly engage with local leadership.
- Direct referrals to additional programs that applicants may realize could support their priorities.
- Removal of redundant legacy program processes and questions to streamline the application experience.
- A full view by program staff 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.
Beginning in January 2021, ten programs will be administered through the Community One Stop for Growth – one application door to access programs offered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, and MassDevelopment.
Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
Department of Housing and Community Development
- Housing Choice Community Capital Grants
- Massachusetts Downtown Initiative
- NEW Community Planning Grants
- NEW Rural Development Fund
MassDevelopment
The Community One Stop for Growth represents a major shift in how the State and its partner agencies do business, not in the way you do business. We are inviting you to apply for multiple funding sources through a single portal on a single timeline, so that we can better understand and support your economic development goals and vision for your community.
Process Overview and Key Dates
The One Stop is an opportunity for the state’s economic development agencies to work with communities to define their objectives, submit applications and obtain funding for projects following a collaborative process:
- Step 1: Virtual Sessions
- Step 2: Expressions of Interest & Guidance (Optional)
- Step 3: One Stop Full Application(s)
- Step 4: Review & Evaluation
- Step 5: Notification of Award
By participating in this process and submitting either an Expression of Interest or a Full Application, a project will be automatically referred to all relevant grant programs, particularly those under EOHED, DHCD, and MassDevelopment. If this process identifies additional needs that align with other programs not listed above, further coordination and referrals may be made, on a case-by-case basis.
Key Dates
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Expressions of Interest Accepting Applications
February 8 – April 2, 2021 -
Full Application Accepting Applications
May 3, 2021 – June 4, 2021 -
Review & Evaluation
June-September, 2021 -
Notification of Award
October/November 2021 -
Anticipated Contracting
November/December 2021
Key Actions for Process Overview and Key Dates
Virtual Sessions (webinars)
Three webinars will be available to applicants prior to submitting any application materials, covering an overview of the Community One Stop for Growth, reframing a grant application for the One Stop, and using the Agate technology platform:
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Webinar 1: One Stop Overview Webinar (January 28, 2021, 12 noon)
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Webinar 2: One Stop Application Guidance Webinar (February 2, 2021, 12 noon)
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Webinar 3: Technology Webinar (February 4, 2021, 12 noon)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend or view these sessions.
Key Actions for Virtual Sessions (webinars)
Submit an Expression of Interest
Expressions of Interest will be accepted February 8 – April 2, 2021
The Expression of Interest is optional but highly encouraged. It is recommended that all applicants watch all three webinars before submitting a One Stop Expression of Interest.
The Expression of Interest is a simple form that allows applicants to indicate its economic development priorities and seek guidance from EOHED and its partner agencies. A community may seek guidance for up to five (5) projects.
Once the Expression of Interest is submitted, staff at all partner agencies will review the submissions and provide guidance and insight to strengthen applications. Applicants may also be referred to other available programs that are not fully integrated into the One Stop application. All applicants are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest early in the process to allow for the maximum amount of time for feedback. Applicants may also request a meeting to review their priority projects with EOHED.
An Expression of Interest is not a substitute for any grant application.
Key Actions for Submit an Expression of Interest
Submit a Full Application
One Stop applications will be accepted May 3, 2021 – June 4, 2021.
After the guidance phase of the process concludes, the One Stop will open to accept applications. Applicants are able to 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 to reflect the goals submitted in the Expression of Interest phase. Interested applicants will have full access to the online application the launch of the One Stop in January to the final submission deadline June. During this time, applicants may draft applications, but submissions will only be accepted between May 3 and June 4, 2021.
Key Actions for Submit a Full Application
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Community One Stop for Growth process.
Key Actions for Frequently Asked Questions
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