Massachusetts has committed $330 million to support a broad slate of local economic development and housing initiatives across the state. Governor Maura Healey announced that the funding, distributed through the Community One Stop for Growth program, will back 403 projects in 207 communities. State officials describe this as the largest single-round allocation in the history of the One Stop program.
According to the announcement, the funding package is intended to accelerate both housing production and commercial activity. Supported projects are expected to contribute to the creation of more than 27,000 new homes, underscoring the scale of residential development that could follow from this round of awards. In addition, the program is projected to help generate more than 13,000 permanent jobs across participating communities.
The awards are also tied to a significant commercial real estate development pipeline. The state reports that the funded initiatives are expected to support more than seven million square feet of new commercial development. In aggregate, this activity is anticipated to help unlock roughly $24.6 billion in private investment, as public dollars are used to catalyze additional capital deployment from non-government sources.
Governor Healey framed the initiative as a way to tackle several priorities simultaneously, including housing availability, job creation, and local economic vitality. She emphasized that the awards are designed to convert underused properties into new homes and businesses, reinforce downtown areas, and expand opportunities for residents and employers. The administration also highlighted the role of these investments in driving broader economic growth across the commonwealth.
The geographic distribution of awards spans a diverse mix of community types. Of the projects receiving funds, 36% are located in rural communities, 24% are in designated Gateway Cities, and 37% fall within Housing Choice Communities. Half of the funded projects are in MBTA Communities, reflecting a notable concentration of investment around areas served by regional transit. The program is also expanding its reach, with 13 communities receiving a One Stop grant for the first time.
By channeling capital into both housing and commercial initiatives, the One Stop awards are positioned to influence development and reinvestment activity across multiple markets in Massachusetts. The mix of rural, urban, and transit-served locations, combined with the program’s record-sized funding round, underscores the state’s effort to coordinate housing production and economic development within a unified framework.
