Baker-Polito Administration Announces $20 Million in Grants to Increase Economic Opportunity in Communities Across Massachusetts

LOWELL — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the award of 65 grants totaling over $20 million to 62 organizations through the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy made the announcement at UTEC, one of the grant recipients, where they were joined UTEC Executive Director Gregg Croteau, local legislators, and other program participants.

In its inaugural award round, the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program is supporting projects and programming that are designed to respond to community-defined economic opportunities within eligible communities.  The competitive, one-year grants support applicants seeking to address issues in communities that have historically faced disproportionate challenges to economic growth.  Additionally, to achieve the program’s equity goals, projects in locations that have experienced high rates of incarceration and widespread poverty, or are in communities comprised of traditionally disadvantaged and underrepresented populations, were prioritized.