Twenty-two municipal projects in the Greater Boston region will soon put more than $500,000 to work advancing regional priorities in housing production, climate resilience, public health, and more thanks to the latest round of technical assistance funding from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). 

MAPC, one of 13 regional planning agencies (RPAs) in the state, offers technical assistance grants each year that help advance the goals identified in Greater Boston’s regional land use and policy plan, MetroCommon2050. All 101 cities and towns in the MAPC region are encouraged to apply for the Technical Assistance Program (TAP), which helps municipalities take on critical projects that they do not have the capacity to address on their own.

Nearly half of Massachusetts communities do not have professional planners to help shape their future economic development, transportation, housing, green spaces, and municipal facilities. RPAs help with these essential tasks – everything from updating stormwater guidelines and managing data to preparing economic development plans. Much of this work is funded through District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) – dollars the Legislature and Governor appropriate annually, which are distributed to all RPAs, including MAPC. 

“Critical DLTA funding from Beacon Hill enables municipalities to address local needs across a wide variety of topic areas, including plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and zoning to encourage housing development,” said MAPC Executive Director Marc Draisen. “Our communities are creative, and they recognize the value of collaborating with neighbors. This year we are proud to see that many cities and towns have connected through TAP to scope a diverse range of projects with great potential benefits.”

TAP is also funded through annual assessments from MAPC’s member municipalities, grants from private foundations, leveraged grants from state programs, and fee-for-service contributions from cities and towns. The following cities/towns are the awardees for FY24, with work set to begin at some point this year: 

Boxborough: “Section 3A Technical Assistance” – $30,000 

Chelsea: “Advancing Food Justice through Muni Food Systems Peer Learning Program” – $10,000 

Everett: “Electrify Everett” - $40,000

Framingham: “Facilities Planning and Creative Placemaking” – $70,000 

Hudson, Ashland, Framingham, Hopkinton, Holliston, Maynard, Medway, Milford, Millis, Natick: “Climate Hazards Roundtable” – $50,000 

Lynn: “Lynn Grows Food Justice Initiative” – $25,000 

Lynn: “Mass Care and Shelter Coordination Plan Update and Exercise” – $30,000 

Malden: “Open Space and Recreation Plan” – $33,000 

MAPC Region: “Diversity Equity and Inclusion Coalition” - $40,000

Marblehead: “Navigating the Nexus of Historic Preservation and Green Energy” – $25,000 

Medford: “Emergency Management Program Development (Phase 2)” – $35,000 

Milton, Walpole, Norwood: “Expanding Language Access in the TRIC Subregion” - $30,000

Natick, Framingham, Ashland:”Metrowest Climate Equity Outreach “ – $20,000 

Randolph: “Community Wellness Project” – $15,000 

Randolph, Arlington, Beverly, Danvers:“Regional Community Interpreter” - $25,000

Rockland: “Rockland Housing Production Plan” – $15,000 

Somerville: “Sustainable Development Code” – $20,000 

South Shore: “South Shore Recycling Collaborative Hazardous Waste Facility Buildout” – $30,000 

Walpole: “Commercial and Industrial Zoning Review” – $20,000 

Watertown: “Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment “ – $28,000 

Weymouth, Milton, Randolph: “Blue Hills Mass in Motion Food Survey” – $12,500 

 

“We received more proposals than in previous years, including many multi-municipal efforts and ideas developed in partnership with community-based organizations,” said Gloria Huangpu, community engagement specialist and MAPC’s TAP coordinator. “Our municipalities have a demonstrative need for more capacity and resources to support their work addressing critical issues in our region, from climate change to affordable housing. TAP helps us work together toward our shared goals of creating a more equitable, sustainable, and livable region.” 

 TAP supports municipalities in meeting emerging local needs with new types of work, like arts and cultural planning. Marblehead’s project, “Navigating the Nexus of Historic Preservation and Green Energy,” will help homeowners who want to make green energy upgrades to their homes to remain in-line with historic preservation standards. Additionally, many initiatives funded this year will help municipalities enhance their emergency preparedness in the face of climate change impacts. Most projects include elements to advance equity in the region, especially racial equity, whether through more inclusive community engagement or implementation to advance equitable outcomes.  

 TAP funding prioritizes projects that: advance racial and social equity; involve multiple communities working together to address shared challenges, including those that can serve as a model for other communities; demonstrate strong partnerships between municipalities and community-based organizations; and advance the goals inMetroCommon2050, the region’s long-range plan. 

 Read more about TAP at mapc.ma/TAP.