By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Franklin County, MA)
This year state legislators, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission came together for a five-part information series on available state and federal funding.
“We are delighted that this workshop series has helped break down barriers so that western Mass municipal leaders have as much support as possible to access critical and well-deserved state funding,” saidSenator Jo Comerford. “We will absolutely return in the next session to build on and expand this work.”
The final workshop was held on Tuesday with a presentation from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute on closing the digital divide in western Massachusetts. The four previous workshops were: Community One Stop for Growth Grant Program, Federal and State Transportation Grant Opportunities, Energy and Environmental Grant Opportunities, and Cultural, Historical, and Technological Grant Opportunities
“Workshops like this, offered with the partnership and support of our state partners, provide communities with the information necessary to identify funding streams and increase their likelihood of success,” said Representative Natalie M. Blais.
The group is looking ahead to hosting another grant series in the new year.