MSA discusses local economic development grants through Community One Stop

The Massachusetts Select Board Association held its first program meeting of 2022 today, discussing the local economic development grants made available through the Community One Stop for Growth program. The webinar was co-sponsored by the Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts.

2021 was the inaugural year for Community One Stop, a single application portal and streamlined, collaborative review process for grant programs that support local economic development initiatives.

Athol Town Manager and STAM Chair Shaun Suhoski opened the program with an overview of Athol’s 2021 Community One Stop initiatives and the highlights and challenges for his town.

A panel of speakers then reviewed the first year of the Community One Stop program and provided an overview of what the process will look like in the year ahead.

Panelists included:
• Juan Vega, assistant secretary for Communities and Programs with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• Helena Fruscio Altsman, assistant secretary of Program and Performance Management with the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
• Jen Cohen, vice president of real estate development with MassDevelopment

Panelists discussed the numbers and types of projects funded in Community One Stop’s first year. They also shared high-level feedback that the program received from applicants.

Panelists also reviewed changes and improvements that are being made this year, including the addition of three grant programs offered through MassDevelopment.

The webinar concluded with a review of the One Stop timeline.

More than 75 select board members and town managers and administrators attended the webinar.

• Athol One Stop Initiatives presentation (1M PDF)
• Community One Stop for Growth: Year One Review and Presentation on the FY23 Round presentation (1.5M PDF)