About the Rural Development Fund
The Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) is pleased to announce the availability of funding from the Rural Development Fund (RDF), through the FY26 Community One Stop for Growth.
The RDF is a competitive grant program created to provide financial support for a variety of activities related to economic and community development in rural communities and small towns – specifically towns with a population density of 500 persons per square mile and/or a total population less than 7,000 (based on the 2020 US Census). The Rural and Small Town Designation List includes all designated rural and small towns. Towns are designated through 2020 Census data and do not need to take any action to receive this designation.
The program is designed to support projects that address the unique economic needs and challenges faced by smaller communities, which sometimes includes difficulty competing against larger cities/towns for grant resources. RDF awards funds based on the project’s nexus with infrastructure, economic development, community development, housing, transportation, and priorities identified by the Commonwealth's Rural Policy Advisory Commission.
Grants are offered for a variety of project types, including community planning efforts, predevelopment activities, and/or construction. See the program guidelines below for a full description of the Rural Development Fund.
How to Apply
This program is part of the Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal and collaborative review process of community and economic development grant programs that make targeted investments based on a Development Continuum. This process streamlines the experience for the applicant and better coordinates 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. Access to this program is exclusively available through the One Stop. Learn more about the One Stop.
Next Steps - FY2026 Round
Eligible municipalities and other public entities are invited to submit expressions of interest and project proposals to be considered for funding.
The Rural Development Fund considers projects in the following development continuum categories: Planning & Zoning, Site Preparation, Building, and Infrastructure. Eligible entities that submit one of the below application types will be considered for the Rural Development Fund.
Planning & Zoning
- Community Plan, Zoning Revision, or Planning for Housing - Community Planning Grant Program
Site Preparation
- Site Improvements to Unlock Development - Site Readiness Program
Building
- Underutilized Property Rehabilitation: Predevelopment - Underutilized Properties Program
- Underutilized Property Rehabilitation: Construction - Underutilized Properties 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
The corresponding FY26 Full Application Sample Templates show the questions that applicants will be asked based on the type of project proposed and can be used to draft responses prior to submitting a formal application.
More Information
Program Guidelines
FY26 Program Guidelines - Rural Development Fund
Application Deadline: Wednesday, June 4, 2025 @ 11:59 PM
Visit the Community One Stop for Growth website at www.mass.gov/onestop, for specific round information and access to the online application.