Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $550,000 in Grants for Downtown Revitalization Through Community One Stop for Growth

HUDSON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration joined state and local officials in Hudson last week to celebrate awards through the state’s Community One Stop for Growth, including 22 grants totaling $550,000 through the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative. 

In October, the Administration announced $164 million for 338 grant awards through the One Stop to support local economic development projects in 161 communities across the state. 

“The Community One Stop for Growth provides essential resources to increase housing, help businesses grow, and strengthen downtowns and commercial centers,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We’re excited that these grants through the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative will invest in local cultural attractions and vibrant business districts that will attract visitors and improve the lives of our residents.” 

“As a former mayor, I know firsthand the vital role that downtown areas play in driving local economic activity and vibrancy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to partnering with municipalities to provide the tools they need to plan and execute projects that fuel long-term growth through walkable, lively downtown spaces.” 

“The Massachusetts Downtown Initiative invests in activities that keep our downtowns healthy and strong,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “These grants will strengthen small businesses and cultural assets and make downtown districts easier to walk and navigate. We look forward to seeing the progress the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative grants help make possible.”   

The Massachusetts Downtown Initiative provides municipalities with resources to engage expert consultants on downtown revitalization. Consultants may provide technical assistance in one of seven areas, including district management, design, downtown economics, housing, branding and wayfinding, downtown mobility, and small business support. Communities may undertake a number of eligible activities through this grant program, including planning exercises, parking management strategy development, and new branding and signage to enhance their downtown. 

"I'd like to thank Executive Office of Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and the Healey-Driscoll administration for providing a Downtown Initiative grant to the town of Hudson as part of the administration's Community One Stop for Growth program," said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough). "For the last decade, I've been proud to partner with Representative Kate Hogan and the town of Hudson to secure millions of dollars in EOED funds for the town's revitalization. This effort played a key role in Hudson's recognition as America's Best Main Street in 2021." 

Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Awards 

Town of Acton - $25,000 
Technical assistance for a wayfinding and branding system to connect the 5 village centers in the community. 

Town of Ashburnham - $25,000  
Technical assistance for creating a wayfinding and branding system for the village center and directions from center to surrounding natural resources and trails.   

Town of Athol - $25,000 
Technical assistance for the development of updated design guidelines for the downtown. 

City of Attleboro - $25,000 
Technical assistance in performing a pedestrian experience study within its downtown core. Due to the increase of downtown housing, there is a need to make the downtown more pedestrian oriented. 

Town of Barnstable - $25,000 
Technical assistance to add new and enhanced signage design standards into updated and consolidated Design and Historic District Guidelines for Downtown Hyannis.  

Town of Brookline - $25,000 
Technical assistance to implement Phase 2 of the creation of a Business Improvement District.   

Town of Edgartown - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a wayfinding and branding plan that will address the visitor experience in support of the center.   

Town of Falmouth - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a parking management plan for the town center that considers existing parking conditions and future parking needs.   

City of Framingham - $25,000 
Technical assistance to develop design guidelines to improve the facades in the downtown.  

Town of Grafton - $25,000 
Technical Assistance to improve wayfinding to historic/cultural sites in the Grafton Common Historic District.  

City of Greenfield - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a district management entity in the downtown with a focus on arts and culture.   

Town of Hudson - $25,000 
Technical assistance to design a quantitative methodology with the appropriate economic indicators to gauge the positive impacts of the Hudson BID.  

Town of Lancaster - $25,000 
Technical assistance to develop a wayfinding and branding plan to increase the sense of community.   

Town of Leicester - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a plan analyzing existing and future parking needs. The focus of the plan would be the town acquired Becker College campus, located adjacent to the center, which the town is trying to develop.   

City of Lowell - $25,000 
Technical assistance to assist with the Phase 1 of implementing a Business Improvement District.   

Town of Manchester by the Sea - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a wayfinding system that will guide residents and visitors to the businesses and cultural assets in the town center.   

City of Quincy - $25,000 
Technical assistance to implement a pedestrian walkability study that will result in a multi-modal wayfinding system in North Quincy.  

Town of Reading - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create an arts and cultural plan for the downtown that would include an inventory of cultural/art assets, placemaking opportunities, and a needs assessment for a cultural facility.  

City of Revere - $25,000 
Technical assistance for a parking management and utilization study of the Broadway Corridor.   

City of Taunton - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a downtown branding design. The brand image will represent the positive strides the Taunton BID & municipality have made in improving the conditions in the downtown.   

Town of West Springfield - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a parking wayfinding system to direct residents and visitors to parking in the downtown.   

Town of Williamstown - $25,000 
Technical assistance to create a wayfinding and branding to guide residents, college students and visitors to local businesses and cultural attractions in the center.  

About the Community One Stop for Growth  
The Community One Stop for Growth is an annual program overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) that provides a streamlined process for cities and towns to apply for 13 state grant programs administered by EOED, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the quasi-public agency MassDevelopment. Programs in the One Stop fund economic development projects related to community capacity building, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, infrastructure, and housing development. To learn more about the One Stop, visit www.mass.gov/guides/community-one-stop-for-growth. 

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