Senator Eldridge and Representative Sena Announce $300,000 in grants through Community One Stop for Growth awarded to Devens

Grant supports Ayer's study on multi-family development, covering outreach, data collection, fiscal analysis, transition planning, and a final report for Super Town Meeting

Devens, MA –  State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) and State Representative Danillo Sena (D-Acton) are pleased to announce that the Town of Ayer has been awarded $300,000 through the Community One Stop for Growth initiative. This funding, provided under the Housing Choice Grant Program, will enable Ayer to conduct a Comprehensive Study focused on multi-family residential development and redevelopment opportunities in the Devens area.

With this $300,000 grant, Ayer will produce a Comprehensive Study to assess the impacts and opportunities of multi-family housing development in Devens. The study will engage stakeholders, and consultants and gather critical data to inform development decisions through public outreach and data collection. It will also involve developing and evaluating multiple development scenarios, including a fiscal analysis of alternatives. Additionally, the study will recommend an optimal scenario for multi-family development, incorporating a transition plan and a detailed final report in collaboration with the Devens Jurisdictional Framework Disposition Study. The findings and recommendations will be presented for community approval at a Super Town Meeting, ensuring local input in future growth plans.

“This grant will be instrumental in shaping the future of Devens by assisting Ayer in thoughtfully assessing and planning for sustainable and equitable housing development,” said Senator Eldridge, “I commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Executive Office of Economic Development for investing in the future of Devens and supporting projects that balance economic growth with community needs.”

“I’m proud to see these grants go to work in our community,” said State Representative Dan Sena. “Ayer is supporting future development in Devens through their grant, demonstrating our region's commitment to building a stronger economic future.”

The Community One Stop for Growth is a streamlined application portal that allows communities to access various state grant programs dedicated to community and economic development. Managed by the HLC and the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), the portal funds projects that build community capacity, enhance planning and zoning, and improve infrastructure.

To learn more about this grant and Devens's future, read this story by Jon Chesto on the Boston Globe.

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