Community One Stop for Growth Grant

The FY2026 Community One Stop for Growth is an initiative led by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), in collaboration with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency (MassDevelopment). The program consolidates access to various state economic development grant programs through a single application portal and coordinated review process. The initiative is designed to improve accessibility, efficiency, and strategic investment in community-driven economic development across Massachusetts. The FY2026 round introduces significant changes including technical improvements to the IGX application platform, the inclusion of new programs such as the Vacant Storefront Program and TDI Equity Investment Program, and structural adjustments to guidance sessions post-Expression of Interest. The Vacant Storefront Program offers municipalities refundable tax credits up to $50,000 to incentivize business occupancy in downtown vacant storefronts. The TDI Equity Investment Program provides grants ranging from $25,000 to $250,000 to revitalize commercial spaces in designated Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) districts. The Urban Agenda Grant Program has been removed from the One Stop, and the Collaborative Workspace Program has been paused for FY2026. Eligible applicants include all types of public entities within Massachusetts, such as municipalities, housing or redevelopment authorities. Non-profit organizations may apply for select programs, and for-profit entities may apply under the Building category, contingent upon demonstrated public benefit. Non-public entities must either partner with a municipality or provide a municipal letter of support. Certain programs and funding categories are limited to specific applicant types. For example, non-public entities are excluded from Community Activation & Placemaking, Planning & Zoning, and Infrastructure categories. Applications may be preceded by an optional Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive early feedback and guidance. The full application process begins with the portal opening on January 24, 2025. Applications can be submitted from May 5, 2025, until the final deadline of June 4, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Evaluation is based on criteria including feasibility, leadership, budget reasonableness, projected outcomes, and demonstrated progress. Applicants are notified of awards by October 2025, with contracting anticipated to begin in October or November 2025. The application must be submitted through the IGX online portal, with templates and additional guidance available at www.mass.gov/onestop. Questions can be directed to [email protected]. The program encourages applicants to align their projects with the Development Continuum framework, which encompasses phases from planning and site preparation to full project implementation. A wide range of project types and funding categories are supported, each aligned with specific programmatic goals and eligibility.