Boston – The Baker-Polito Administration announced the opening of a $2.5 million funding round for the Site Readiness Program, that provides grants to municipalities and other entities for purposes including strategic land acquisition, feasibility studies, master planning, environmental permitting and site improvements. Through its first two rounds of grants, the Site Readiness Program has awarded $3.4 million to 26 projects in almost every region, furthering the development potential for 1,885 acres across the Commonwealth.
“The Site Readiness Program provides communities with the resources they need to leverage strategic sites to attract private investment, drive development, and job creation across the Commonwealth,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through two pieces of economic development legislation, our administration has created new tools and enhanced existing programming to better meet the needs of our municipalities and have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into housing, infrastructure and long-term planning efforts to help communities lay the foundation for long-term success.”
“We’re pleased to make $2.5 million available this round, and look forward to seeing these investments unlock key sites in cities and towns in Massachusetts to convert vacant or unused property into active economic hubs,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our administration encourages municipalities to layer state funding and expertise, through programs like Site Readiness, Brownfields Redevelopment, MassWorks Infrastructure Grants and by working with our agencies to support new development and economic activity.”
The Site Readiness Program, administered by MassDevelopment, aims to boost the Commonwealth’s inventory of large, development-ready sites, accelerate private-sector investment in industrial and commercial projects, and support the conversion of abandoned sites and facilities into clean, actively used, tax-generating properties. Past awards have targeted high-potential sites that provide easy access to highways, substantial acreage or are in priority locations for development.
