State Awards $35K to Stockbridge for Local Hazard Mitigation Planning

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STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. – The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded a $35,000 grant to the Town of Stockbridge for local hazard mitigation planning. 
 
Stockbridge will use its award to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), which expires in 2027. Having an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan is a requirement for communities to be eligible for certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). MTTA funding will allow the town to hire a qualified vendor to support updating its HMP.   
 
The funding, distributed through the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program, is administered by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office and awarded grants to communities spanning from Western Massachusetts to Cape Cod in this round. 
 
These grants were part of a round of MTTA awards made to 25 communities across Massachusetts. In total, $1,108,700 in grant awards were made to support technical assistance for local infrastructure projects across the state. 
 
"Massachusetts is pursuing every federal dollar we can get, and we are making sure that our communities are ready to compete and win," said Governor Maura Healey. "We are giving cities and towns the tools they need to move projects forward, unlock federal funding, and deliver results for their residents. From safer roads to stronger infrastructure and climate resilience, these investments will help communities take action and build for the future." 
 
The Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance program was enabled by legislation filed by Governor Healey, Chapter 214 of the Acts of 2024 ("An Act to Provide for Competitiveness and Infrastructure Investment in Massachusetts") to support infrastructure projects in cities and towns across the state. Governor Healey filed the bill as part of a comprehensive strategy to increase Massachusetts’ competitiveness for federal funding and empower local governments with more resources to pursue federal opportunities.  
 
This is the second round of Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance awards made by the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO). In total, FFIO has awarded $2,048,950 in MTTA grants to communities across Massachusetts.    
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Prosperity Way Phase 1 Complete; Berkshire Gas Volunteer Day

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Some 55 Avangrid/Berkshire Gas employees spent the day sawing, hammering and painting at Prosperity Way.
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Prosperity Way was founded on the dream of creating an affordable neighborhood where local working families can own a home, build a future, and create lasting memories. Soon, that vision will become reality as homeowners begin moving in.
 
Nearly a year ago, Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity broke ground on its three-phase affordable housing project. Now, volunteers are putting the final touches on the six homes and have already begun phase two. 
 
"One of the homeowners is closing on her house tomorrow, so she's moving in this weekend, and then the other family is moving in next week," said Habitat CEO Carolyn Valli. 
 
During Phase 2, seven additional homes will be built, the first modular ranch for that phase has been set, and the stick-built ranch is currently in construction. There are two additional ranches on site, to be set once foundations are cured and two colonial homes are scheduled for delivery on Monday, she said. 
 
Phase 3 will have the construction of another seven homes. Central Berkshire Habitat hopes to finish the project before 2028, dependent on securing sufficient grant funding to bridge the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, Valli said. 
 
Energy ran high on Thursday, as more than than 50 employee volunteers from Berkshire Gas, a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc., spent the day helping move the project forward through painting, landscaping, and construction work.
 
"We are an energy company in all aspects. We generate wind energy, we have electric utilities and gas utilities, and this crew is demonstrating their energy for a good cause today to support home building for folks who might otherwise never be able to afford a home," said Chris Farrell, Berkshire Gas' communications and government relations manager. 
 
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