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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 FY24 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA).

FY24 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

UPDATE 5/9/23: Notice of Additional Funds Available – The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced the availability of additional funding being made available through the Community One Stop for planning grants to municipalities seeking to increase housing production.

One Stop Programs

For the FY24 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

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

One Stop for Growth Development Continuum 

How to Apply

Key Dates and Deadlines

  • Expressions of Interest Open December 14, 2022
    Expression of Interest submissions will be accepted through March 17, 2023
  • Full Application Open
    January 20, 2023
  • Webinars:
    • Webinar 1: One Stop Overview Webinar – January 31, 2023
    • Webinar 2: One Stop Application Guidance Webinar – February 2, 2023
    • Webinar 3: Prerecorded Technology Webinar – To Be Posted February 7, 2023
  • Full Application Submission Period Open
    May 2023
  • Full Application Submission Period Closes
    June 2, 2023
  • Review & Evaluation
    June-September 2023
  • Notification of Award
    October/November 2023
  • Anticipated Contracting
    November/December 2023

Expression of Interest

The Expression of Interest period is open through March 17, 2023.

The Expression of Interest is a simple form that allows an applicant to seek guidance from EOHED and partner agencies. The Expression of Interest is optional but highly encouraged.

Each organization may submit one (1) Expression of Interest form for the FY24 Round. The Expression of Interest period opened on December 14, 2022 and closes on March 17, 2023. All EOI forms may include up to two (2) project proposals, however forms submitted prior to 11:59 PM on February 3, 2023 are allowed to include a total of five (5) projects. The Expression of Interest must be submitted via the IGX system.

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.

An Expression of Interest is not a substitute for a grant application.

 

Access the IGX Platform (Expression of Interest Opens Dec. 14, 2022)

Full Application 

The Full Application is now open. Applicants can submit their Full Application(s) beginning May 1, 2023.

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 opened on January 20, 2023 for applicants to begin working on their applications. Applicants will be able to submit their application beginning May 1, 2023. The final submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. on June 2, 2023.

The Full Application is constructed as follows:

  • Project Core (Sections 1 – 2): The Core Information sections are completed by all applicants and reviewed by all programs within the One Stop, regardless of the type of project being proposed. The information collected in these sections includes applicant information, project scope, and budget.
  • Development Continuum Questions (Sections 3 – 7): Each category on the Development Continuum has a section in the application for more specific project questions. Applicants will complete one Development Continuum section per application.
  • Special Designation Questions (Section 8): Applicants that submit a project that is eligible for review by the Housing Choice Grant Program or Rural & Small Town Development Fund will complete additional questions specifically related to their respective designations.

A Microsoft Word (.docx) template of the entire Full Application is available for download below. Be aware that, when completing the Full Application in the IGX system, questions will vary based on the project being proposed. Program specific Full Application templates are available on each program webpage.

Access the IGX Platform

Key Actions

Access the IGX Platform 

One Stop Resources

Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA)

The FY24 Community One Stop for Growth Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will be published when the Full Application opens in January.

FY24 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:

  • Webinar 1: One Stop Overview Webinar – January 31, 2023
  • Webinar 2: One Stop Application Guidance Webinar – February 2, 2023
  • Webinar 3: Prerecorded Technology Webinar – To Be Posted February 7, 2023

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.

EOI and Full Application Sample Templates

Note: Templates are provided to allow applicants to create drafts of their work before formally submitting. Both the Expression of Interest and Full Application must be submitted via the IGX system.

Sample of Expression of Interest Template (.docx)

Sample of FY24 Full Application Template (.docx)

Program Websites

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

Executive Office of Economic Development

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

MassDevelopment

Past Awards

The FY22 and FY23 Rounds of the One Stop have resulted in a combined 532 successful applications, totaling over $231.9 million in funding across 205 Massachusetts communities. All awards granted in the first two rounds of the One Stop can be viewed via the links below.

FY23 Community One Stop for Growth Awards

FY22 Community One Stop for Growth Awards

Accessing the IGX Platform

The Community One Stop for Growth Expression of Interest and Full Application forms are accessed 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.

Accessing the system as a New Organization:

If your organization is new to IGX, a New User registration must be completed by the CEO or Authorized Official (AO) for your municipality or organization. To begin, click the “Register Here” button and follow the prompts. Once the CEO or AO registers your organization, they will receive an email notification from the system confirming the designation as a Grant Administrator.

Accessing the system as a past applicant:
Applicants who used IGX in the previous grant round, or the IntelliGrants system for MassWork in past rounds, can use their existing log-in credentials to access this FY2024 opportunity. Applicants that do not remember their login information should use the “Forgot Username/Password” function. Applicants that have not used either IGX or IntelliGrants in the past must be registered as a new user.

Adding New Users to an Organization:

Once established, a Grant Administrator may create and approve additional accounts for staff members, grant writers, and/or consultants of the organization.  All users must be approved by a Grant Administrator, who may add/remove members in their organization, as needed.

A Grant Administrator may add new users to their organization by taking the following steps:

  1. Log into IGX.
  2. Click on the name in the upper right corner and select “Profile” from the dropdown list.
  3. Select “Organization Members” on the menu on the left side of the screen under the organization name.
  4. Press the “+” button in the “Members Search” panel and select “Add New User to Organization.”
  5. Complete the “Add Person” form that appears. Assign a user role, username, and temporary password for that person. Click Save to confirm this new information.

Inform the new user of their username and their temporary password, which they will be able to change when they first login.

Key Actions

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

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