Rep. David Linsky (D-Natick) announced today that Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, and Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox have awarded $9.5 million in awards for Natick and 124 other communities to address COVID-19 impacts on local downtowns. Communities will partner with consultants to pursue locally-driven, actionable strategies to support downtown and commercial districts. 

“Downtown Natick has always been a staple for the community and an exceptional place for Natick residents and small businesses to call home” said Representative Linsky. “I want to thank the Baker-Polito Administration for awarding Natick with this generous grant.” 

Natick along with the 124 other communities awarded with the Local Rapid Recovery Planning Program grant will be paired with their own consultant to help them plan for recovery post pandemic.  This plan will address short, medium and long term challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and will determine the appropriate amount of funding for Natick.  

The Local Rapid Recovery Planning (LRRP) program is part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s Partnerships for Recovery Plan to help communities stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan invests in efforts to get people back to work, support small businesses, foster innovation, revitalize downtowns, and keep people in stable housing. These awards will help downtown and commercial districts, and benefit more than 15,000 small businesses across the state. 

The Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) offers funding to municipalities to increase local capacity and engage expert consultant services to implement downtown revitalization efforts. Funding enables municipalities to pursue projects that will help residents and small businesses. MDI helps municipalities create community spaces that prioritize community investment, preserve and enhance local character, enhance accessibility, walkability, transportation, and promote downtown living.