Overview of the Development Continuum
To help guide applicants, the One Stop uses a Development Continuum that describes how a typical economic development project moves from concept to reality within diverse communities.
The One Stop requires applicants to think about their economic development priorities in the context of the Development Continuum, both to guide applicants towards best practices and strategies and to help applicants identify the types of projects that will support their economic development priorities. Applicants should consider this spectrum of activities as they prepare to submit applications to the One Stop, thinking fully about the steps necessary for progress in the development of a project.
This continuum separates economic development activities into two broad categories. The first, “Preparing for Growth,” includes the initial steps that typically need to occur before specific development projects can move forward, as well as community activation focused economic development activities. The second, “Catalyzing Specific Projects,” covers various forms of project-specific activities, particularly for projects that have private development identified.
Continuum Detail
Community Activation and Placemaking
Community Activation & Placemaking grants support projects and programs aimed at identifying and enhancing community assets. These assets can include the built environment, local business, or the community’s residents.
Eligible Applicants:
- All Public Entities
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Community Development Corporations
Programs in this Category:
Type/Focus of Projects Supported:
- Technical Assistance for Downtowns – Generally Associated with Massachusetts Downtown Initiative
- Downtown Design Consultant Services
- Downtown Mobility/Parking Consultant Services
- Downtown Wayfinding/Branding Consultant Services
- Economics of Downtown Consultant Services
- Pedestrian Orientation/Placemaking Consultant Services
- Small Business Support/E-commerce Consultant Services
- Forming a Downtown Management District
- Phase 1 Feasibility
- Phase 2 Implementation
Equitable Workforce and Business Development Programming – Generally Associated with Urban Agenda Grant Program
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
- Workforce Development and Training Initiatives
- Community Organizing and Leadership Development
Example Projects:
- Request by a municipality to explore the feasibility of developing a Business Improvement District.
- A request from a community coalition to fund English language training and other prerequisite trainings, including coverage for childcare and transportation, to prepare low-income residents for new jobs available in the region due to the expansion of a major employer.
Planning & Zoning Category
Applications for projects in the Planning & Zoning category represent an early-stage project that requires a guiding plan, study, or assessment of project needs, prior to any construction or site preparation. These are planning grants and projects must produce a planning document or zoning revision.
Eligible Applicants:
- All Public Entities
Programs in this Category:
- Community Planning Grant Program
- Real Estate Services Technical Assistance
- Rural Development Fund
- Housing Choice Grant Program
Type/Focus of Projects Supported:
Community Plan – Generally Associated with Community Planning Grant Program
- Master Plan
- Neighborhood Plan
- Downtown Plan
- Urban Renewal Plan
- Housing Production Plan
- Regional Plan
- Corridor Plan
- Other Plan
Zoning Revision – Generally Associated with Community Planning Grant Program
- Zoning Revision to Comply with Section 3A of MGL c.40A
- Comprehensive Zoning Review & Revision
- Other Zoning Revision
Planning for Housing – Generally Associated with Community Planning Grant Program
- Housing Feasibility Plan
- Housing Site Master Plan
- Housing Infrastructure Plan
- Housing Site Design Plan
- Other Housing Plan
District Redevelopment Technical Assistance – Generally Associated with Real Estate Services Technical Assistance
- Planning for Growth in a Commercial/Industrial District
Example Projects:
- Create a housing production plan to better understand housing needs of the community and identify strategies to reduce gaps in existing housing relative to identified needs.
- Study the area with a ½ mile of a commuter rail station and create strategies to intensify development in that area.
- Prepare a corridor study of a commercial area that runs through multiple towns and seeks land use alternatives to promote multi-modal access, introduce mixed-use and achieve more compact commercial development.
- Review current zoning to identify and remove language that excludes certain housing types.
Site Preparation Category
This category includes funding for an applicant working to progress a key site toward development; a final developer or end use is not necessarily identified at this phase.
Eligible Applicants:
- All Public Entities
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Community Development Corporations
Programs in this Category:
- Site Readiness Program
- Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
- Real Estate Services Technical Assistance
- Rural Development Fund
- Housing Choice Grant Program
Type/Focus of Projects Supported:
Brownfield Site Clean Up – Generally Associated with Brownfields Redevelopment Fund
- Brownfields Site Assessment
- Brownfields Remediation
Site Improvements to Unlock Development – Generally Associated with Site Readiness Program
- Site Readiness Pre-Construction
- Site Due Diligence
- Site Plan Design
- Market Study
- Civil Engineering
- Pre-Permitting/Permitting
- Site Readiness Construction
- Demolition
- Site Acquisition, related tasks
- Construction of site related upgrades
Municipal Surplus Property Disposition – Generally Associated with Real Estate Services Technical Assistance
- Municipal Surplus Property Disposition Study
Example Projects:
- The acquisition of land in an industrial zone to allow for business expansion.
- The remediation of a brownfield site to prepare it for the development of a new industrial complex for businesses
Building Category
Funding is available for predevelopment activities and capital improvements that are essential to the occupancy of a blighted and/or underutilized property, as well as those that support the creation of new coworking space. Funding in this category is limited to projects with a strong public purpose and benefit. Projects in this category must have the building secured with building and/or site control, an identified end use, and a clear public purpose. Additional funding is available for eligible Housing Choice designated municipalities to projects supporting the production, rehabilitation, or preservation of housing units within the community.
Eligible Applicants:
- All Public Entities
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Community Development Corporations
- For-Profit Organizations
Programs in this Category:
- Underutilized Properties Program
- Collaborative Workspace Program
- Rural Development Fund
- Housing Choice Grant Program
Type/Focus of Projects Supported:
Underutilized Property Rehabilitation – Generally Associated with Underutilized Properties Program
- Underutilized Property Pre-Construction
- Building Condition Study
- Development Feasibility Study
- Code Compliance Study
- Architectural or Engineering Plans
- Underutilized Property Construction
- Code Compliance
- Building Accessibility Improvements
- Building Stabilization and/or Shell Repair
- Interior Demolition or Remediation
Creating Collaborative Workspace – Generally Associated with Collaborative Workspace Program
- Collaborative Workspace Feasibility Study
- Collaborative Workspace Fit-Out or Equipment
Community Led Housing Production – Generally Associated with the Housing Choice Grant Program
(Only Available to Public Organizations in Housing Choice Communities)
- Support Housing Production
- Support Housing Rehabilitation
- Support Housing Preservation
Example Projects:
- A request to fit-out an incubator within a property that was previously vacant.
- A request to install an elevator in a city-owned property to open up second floor space for space for a new housing development.
- Fitting out a collaborative workspace that provides access to shared workshops and equipment.
Infrastructure Category
The Infrastructure category supports improvements to public land and infrastructure that leverages and supports private investment in the community. These are predevelopment and implementation grants for projects that improve public infrastructure such as roadways, streets, bridges, culverts, water/sewer, other public utilities, etc. Investments will be targeted to projects that require the infrastructure improvements or expansion to support and/or facilitate new growth or address road safety issues.
Eligible Applicants:
- All Public Entities
Programs in this Category:
- MassWorks Infrastructure Program
- HousingWorks Infrastructure Program
- Rural Development Fund
- Housing Choice Grant Program
Type/Focus of Projects Supported:
Public Infrastructure to Support Housing Growth (Residential Only) – Generally Associated with HousingWorks Infrastructure Program
- Pre-Construction - Design / Engineering Documents Only
- Construction
- Roadway / Streetscape Improvements
- Bridge / Culvert Repair or Replacement
- Water / Sewer Infrastructure
- Public Utility Project (Gas, Electric, etc.)
Public Infrastructure to Support Mixed-Use and/or Commercial/Industrial Growth – Generally Associated with MassWorks Infrastructure Program
- Pre-Construction - Design / Engineering Documents Only
- Construction
- Roadway / Streetscape Improvements
- Bridge / Culvert Repair or Replacement
- Water / Sewer Infrastructure
- Public Utility Project (Gas, Electric, etc.)
Small Town Road Improvements to Enhance Public Safety (aka STRAP) – Generally Associated with MassWorks Infrastructure Program
- Construction of Road Improvements to Enhance Public Safety
Example Projects:
- A request for water and sewer upgrades to a previously used site that will now be made into market rate housing.
- A request to update a culvert under a roadway leading to new private development for mixed use that creates new industrial space and rental housing.
- A request to repair at-risk municipal bridges that affect evacuation routes and/or access to commercial centers or transportation nodes.
Organization Eligibility
All types of public entities are welcome and encouraged to submit a One Stop application. Municipalities and other public entities such as local housing or redevelopment authorities will have access to all grants administered through the One Stop process. However, non-municipal applicants are encouraged to open a discussion with their municipal leadership to ensure coordination and local support.
Non-public entities may submit an application jointly with a public entity or with the written letter of support of the public entity and will be considered for funding only under those programs that allow for financial assistance to non-public entities, specifically Community Activation & Placemaking, Site Preparation, and Buildings. Non-public entities are not eligible for the following categories: Planning & Zoning and Infrastructure. Non-public entities should partner with their municipality to submit applications in those categories.
For-profit entities are only eligible to apply to the Buildings category and must demonstrate a public benefit or purpose for the grant.
