Print
Share page with AddThis

$67K State Grant Announced for Berlin Village Planning

Posted on: October 5, 2019 - 8:23am

State Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Grants $140K

To Eight South Central Mass. Towns For Sustainable Development

 

[Worcester, MA]- October 4, 2019 -- The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) is pleased to announce that eight towns within its jurisdiction have been awarded grants totaling $140,000 for projects that further implement the Massachusetts Sustainable Development Principles.

 

The new funding, from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, includes a grant of $67,000 to the towns of Barre, Berlin, Hardwick and Rutland to develo

 

p village strategic plans; $22,500 to Leicester to fund an economic development plan; and $50,000 to Douglas, Mendon and Uxbridge for housing needs assessment plans.

 

“We are thrilled that so many communities in our region are able to benefit from this funding,” said CMRPC Executive Director Janet A. Pierce. “Many thanks to the Baker-Polito Administration and Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides for recognizing that the Planning Assistance Grant Program is one of the best ways smaller communities can accomplish the important work of creating plans for sustainable growth.

 

“This type of funding allows CMRPC to work with community leaders, residents and stakeholders to cohesively set a direction for economic progress. Each of these projects has the potential to significantly increase the quality of life locally and, when viewed together, regionally,” Ms. Pierce said.

 

Margaret Nartowicz, Berlin Town Administrator, concurred: “‘The Town of Berlin is grateful to the Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs for the Planning Assistance Grant Program award that, with support from the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, will result in the creation of a Strategic Village Center Plan. The plan will help guide the community in forwarding its Master Plan goal to further study economic development with a specific focus on Berlin’s Center. It will further connect Master Plan goals to objectives established to simulate concepts supporting Complete Streets, Housing Choice, Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness, Age-Friendly Communities, and other plans.”