Rural Development Fund

Rural Development Fund is sponsored by Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED). This competitive grant program provides financial support for a variety of activities related to economic and community development in rural communities and small towns, specifically those with a population density of 500 persons per square mile and/or a total population less th…

Funding Details: Massachusetts Rural Development Fund - Rural Health Information Hub Massachusetts Rural Development Fund This funding record is inactive . Please see the program website or contact the program sponsor to determine if this program is currently accepting applications or will open again in the future. Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development mallory.

sullivan@mass. gov The Rural Development Fund provides grants for economic and community development activities in rural communities and small towns in Massachusetts.

Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Create or update a comprehensive plan to better understand community needs and identify strategies to Conduct a zoning review to identify and remove language that hinders economic growth Create a plan to update zoning rules to unlock potential housing production and economic development Create a site master plan, including predevelopment activities, on an underutilized commercial property with the intent to create mixed Create a feasibility study or site master plan for an underutilized or decommissioned municipal building with the intent to create commercial or Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address changes to existing water, sewer, and storm water in a potential development Demolish a blighted building that cannot be recovered to prepare a portion of a parcel or an entire parcel for mixed-use redevelopment Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address ADA accessibility requirements for public buildings and resources Rehabilitate housing to bring an underutilized property back onto the market Conduct design, engineering, permitting and/or construction activities of an underutilized or decommissioned municipal building with the intent to create mixed use development Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction for road improvements, including projects that address public safety concerns Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction activities to address improvements to existing water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure Conduct design, engineering, and/or permitting activities to address construction of a new water line connection to an adjacent town or making plans to consolidate water districts for an area served Conduct design, engineering, permitting, and construction of alternative transportation infrastructure to address ADA accessibility requirements for pedestrians and cyclists between residential and/or commercial areas Eligible applicants are public entities from any Massachusetts town that meets the definition of a rural community (having less than 500 persons per square mile) and/or a small town (having a total population of 7,000 or less persons).

See the Rural and Small Town Designation List for eligible Public housing authorities Redevelopment authorities Economic development industrial corporations Public bodies created by legislative act Regional planning agencies Award range: $50,000 - $500,000 Project period: Projects must be completed by June 30, 2028.

Matching funds are not required but applications that have secured match funding of 10% or more of the total project budget will receive additional consideration in the review process and be more competitive. application instructions is available on the Submit applications online through the Massachusetts Community One Stop for Growth portal .

Community and economic development · Housing and homelessness · Needs assessment methods and resources · Planning and strategy methods and resources For complete information about funding programs, including your application status, please contact funders directly. Summaries are provided for your convenience only. RHIhub does not take part in application processes or monitor application status.