Overview
The Federal Funds & Infrastructure Office (FFIO) provides technical assistance to local and tribal governments, as well as regional organizations whose membership is exclusively composed of municipal governments, regional planning agencies, community development corporations and other development authorities or agencies that are seeking or have received federal funding for infrastructure, climate, or economic development projects. Technical assistance to cities, towns, and tribes across the Commonwealth through these programs is authorized by Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024 “An Act to Provide for Competitiveness and Infrastructure Investment in Massachusetts.”
Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Grant Program
This competitive grant program is designed for all Massachusetts local governments and federally recognized tribes, as well as regional organizations whose membership is exclusively composed of municipal governments, community development corporations and other development authorities or agencies seeking technical assistance for infrastructure, climate and economic development projects.
To qualify for funding under this program, applications must be intended for projects that are seeking or have received federal funding. This program prioritizes requests from rural communities, Gateway Cities, and localities with financial and capacity needs in similar underserved communities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the FFIO, and successful applicants will receive up-front funding.
Examples of covered technical assistance services include, but are not limited to:
- Tax assistance (e.g. filing forms with the IRS for Direct Pay)
- Grant writing
- Project scoping and financial analysis
- Planning and feasibility studies
- Demonstration activities
- Post-award grant management support
Technical Assistance Grants for Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs)
This formula-based grant program is for Regional Planning Agencies (RPAs) with resources for direct technical assistance to cities and towns, particularly for moving infrastructure, climate, and economic development projects forward to help rural communities, Gateway Cities, and localities with financial and capacity needs in similar underserved communities. These projects should have a regional scope and impact.
To qualify for funding under this program, applicants must be one of the state’s 13 RPAs seeking or have received federal funding. The FFIO oversees the program, which allocates grant funding to the RPAs on an opt-in basis. Funding through the program is tied to specific conditions and reporting requirements established by the FFIO.
Examples of covered RPA scope of work include, but are not limited to:
- Hiring in-house capacity to provide technical assistance
- Grant application support
- Project development and implementation support
- Project scoping and financial analysis
- Planning and feasibility studies
- Cost-benefit analysis
RPAs that pursue this technical assistance grant funding are expected to provide monthly updates to the FFIO, coordinate with the FFIO as needed, and submit annual spending reports.