Berkshires Awarded MVP Grants
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $3 million through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning 2.0 (MVP 2.0) grant program to help local communities take concrete steps to prepare for climate change.
In Berkshire County the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) on behalf of Adams, Lanesborough, North Adams, and Williamstown was awarded $325,000.
Monterey was awarded $100,000.
Twenty-one municipalities and three regional groups representing 11 additional municipalities are included in this round of grantees. These planning grants will support communities in updating local climate resilience plans and move immediately from planning to action, by funding on-the-ground projects that protect neighborhoods from flash floods, keep residents safer during heatwaves, and ensure reliable water supplies during drought.
"Every city and town is already planning ahead to address extreme weather, and we want to give them the support they need to protect their residents and their infrastructure," said Governor Maura Healey. "This program ensures that no community is left behind as we prepare for today’s challenges and those ahead."
Nearly every municipality—about 99 percent, or 349 communities— are currently enrolled in this grant program after completing the initial planning grant process. MVP Planning 2.0 grants help cities and towns update their climate resilience plans, prioritize the needs of residents facing the greatest risks, and launch pilot projects. Due to the increased demand and strong track record, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is seeking to double funding for the MVP program to $315 million in the proposed Mass Ready Act. The bill also allows nonprofits to apply for grants and partner with cities and towns on high-impact local projects.
MVP Planning 2.0 guides communities to prioritize the needs of those most affected by climate change, ensuring their leadership in the planning process. Cities and towns will also receive training on best practices in climate resilience and equity, allowing them to rethink their current plans based on improved community participation in the process. Each selected community will also receive $50,000 in guaranteed funding to support projects that enhance their resilience to climate impacts.
Communities will continue to have access to an updated online resource called Guides for Equitable and Actionable Resilience (GEAR). This tool provides important information on how local climate issues relate to community concerns like housing and health.
The municipalities receiving grants will work with experts in climate resilience and will have an Equity Partner to help keep equity at the forefront of their plans and projects. They will form a team of community liaisons with strong ties to the populations most affected by climate change.
MVP is a priority program of ResilientMass, the statewide program to reduce risk and strengthen communities in the face of climate change impacts.
