Maynard Receives $95,000 for Equity-based Climate Action Planning
In August, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $31.5 million in grants for climate resilience implementation and planning throughout Massachusetts. Through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, communities are provided funding and technical assistance to complete an equity-centered climate vulnerability and resilience planning process.
According to Healey’s office, MVP 2.0 “supports communities in updating their climate change resilience plans in a way that centers environmental justice and other priority populations most impacted by climate change and putting these plans into action.”
The awards announced include $3 million in funding for MVP 2.0 pilot program. On that list is the Town of Maynard, which was awarded a total of $95,000.
The MVP 2.0 program is a prescriptive planning process which will address climate vulnerabilities, prioritize environmental justice communities, support vulnerable populations, and fund a seed project up to $50,000.
The Town of Maynard will work with vendor SLR International to identify vulnerable populations in town and develop a core team of staff and volunteers. The MVP 2.0 grant includes funding for “Community Liaisons”, which are short-term paid positions. Applications for the Community Liaison role will be released in early March 2024.