Senator Eldridge and Representative Dyekma Announce Action Grant to Increase Climate Resilience in Southborough
The grant is made possible through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, and responds to the need for climate resiliency action and funding
Southborough, MA - The Baker-Polito administration recently announced a $22,875 grant to Southborough to assist with climate change preparedness. The funds come from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, which connects communities to technical experts and allows them to identify, plan for, and mitigate climate hazards. Once a town completes the planning process and becomes an MVP Community, they can receive Action Grants which allow them to carry out those projects outlined in the initial planning phase.
Total funds distributed through the MVP Program so far are over $65 million dollars. Southborough’s grant comes from $21 million distributed as the most recent round of funding. These recent funds are divided between 16 communities beginning the MVP planning process, and 66 others which have already completed the planning stage and are now receiving Action Grants for specific projects. The Acton and Acton-Boxborough School District and Marlborough also received Action Grants.
Southborough’s Action Grant will support their efforts to locate surfaces impermeable to water, helping to reduce the number of pollutants that can accumulate.
“I am so pleased at the announcement of these grants, and would like to applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for their efforts on climate adaptation,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “Completion of this project in Southborough will continue the community’s momentum in combating climate change, and make Southborough more climate resilient. To further increase these investments this legislative session I filed S.1853/H.2890 An Act providing for climate change adaptation infrastructure and affordable housing investments in the Commonwealth, also known as the HERO Bill, which would further increase climate resiliency funding by an additional $150 million per year.”
Representative Dykema also expressed her positive reaction to the grant announcement.
“The MVP program represents a key opportunity for towns to work with statewide climate and energy experts to identify and plan for future climate impacts,” said Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston). “Southborough’s commitment to proactively respond to the threat of climate change will improve our resiliency and preparedness for years and decades to come.”
This round of grants will help improve the resilience of communities across Massachusetts to the worsening effects of climate change, and are a very positive step in adaptation and planning efforts.
###
