MassDevelopment announces $3M for new round of Site Readiness grants

The Baker-Polito administration and MassDevelopment on Sept. 16 announced the availability of $3 million in funding through the fifth round of the Site Readiness Program, which provides resources to cities, towns and other entities to help overcome obstacles to developing otherwise prime sites.

Municipalities, nonprofit economic development entities, and private-sector businesses can apply for grants to finance land acquisition, feasibility studies, master planning, environmental permitting, site improvements, and other related work.

In a prepared statement, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy said, “As we move from reopening to economic recovery, the Baker-Polito administration is committed to continuing to collaborate with communities and other partners to spur investment, development and growth.”

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.

Through its first four rounds, the Site Readiness Program has awarded approximately $10.4 million to 48 projects in almost every region, furthering the development potential for nearly 3,600 acres across the Commonwealth, according to MassDevelopment.

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks and communities to stimulate economic growth.

Site Readiness Program details and the Request for Proposals are available online. Responses are due by 5 p.m. on Nov. 12.