New Municipal Funding Announcements & Programs Released This Week July 22, 2026

While the pace of newly released municipal grant opportunities has slowed in recent weeks, several noteworthy funding announcements and programs were released this week that deserve attention. This special edition of Grant Watch Wednesday highlights newly announced state and federal initiatives that can help municipalities advance infrastructure, redevelopment, housing, and technology modernization efforts. Communities are encouraged to review these opportunities early and begin evaluating potential projects and partnerships.

State & Local Funding Opportunities

NEW: Massachusetts Launches Build for Mass Municipal Infrastructure Financing Program

Announced: July 14, 2026

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced Build for Mass, a first-of-its-kind municipal infrastructure financing program designed to help cities and towns accelerate critical public improvement projects through flexible, low-interest financing.

Administered through MassDevelopment, the program is intended to complement existing grant opportunities by providing municipalities with an additional funding tool to advance projects that may not qualify for traditional grants or require financing to move forward more quickly.

Eligible projects may include:

• Municipal buildings
• Public safety facilities
• Water and wastewater infrastructure
• Transportation improvements
• Parks and recreation facilities
• Climate resilience projects
• Other eligible public capital improvements

Application Timeline: Application guidance and program timelines will be released by MassDevelopment as the program is implemented.

For More Information:
https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-launches-build-for-mass-a-first-of-its-kind-municipal-infrastructure-loan-program

NEW: Connecticut Brownfield Municipal Grant Program – Round 24 Now Open

Applications Opened: July 15, 2026

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has officially opened Round 24 of its Municipal Brownfield Grant Program, providing funding to help municipalities assess, remediate, and redevelop contaminated properties.

The program supports efforts to transform underutilized brownfield sites into productive community assets while encouraging economic development, housing, and neighborhood revitalization.

Eligible activities include:

• Environmental site assessments
• Brownfield remediation
• Demolition
• Site preparation
• Redevelopment planning

Municipalities with redevelopment priorities involving vacant or contaminated properties are encouraged to begin preparing applications. DECD will also host an informational webinar during the application period to review program requirements and the application process.

Application Deadline: September 11, 2026

For More Information:
https://portal.ct.gov/DECD

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED: Maine Housing Opportunity Program – Municipal Ordinance Development Grants

Applications Accepted Through: July 31, 2026

The Maine Office of Community Affairs continues to accept applications for the Housing Opportunity Program – Municipal Ordinance Development Grants, which help communities update local land use regulations and reduce barriers to housing development.

Grants of up to $15,000 are available with no local match required to support municipal planning initiatives that increase housing opportunities while strengthening local development policies.

Eligible activities may include:

• Zoning ordinance updates
• Comprehensive plan implementation
• Housing policy development
• Development regulation revisions
• Consultant assistance
• Public engagement activities

Communities seeking to modernize local ordinances or implement recent housing legislation should consider applying before the July 31 deadline.

Application Deadline: July 31, 2026

For More Information:
https://www.maine.gov/moca/funding/housing-opportunity-program-municipal-ordinance-development-grants

Federal Funding Opportunities

Federal Innovation Spotlight – HUD Launches Automated Permitting Systems Demonstration

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has launched the Automated Permitting Systems Demonstration, an innovative initiative designed to evaluate how automation and emerging technologies can improve local building permit review and development approval processes.

The demonstration will partner with selected jurisdictions to measure improvements in permit processing times, workflow efficiency, staffing needs, customer experience, and permitting costs. The results are expected to help establish national best practices for permitting modernization and may influence future federal funding opportunities focused on local government technology and housing development.

Eligible participants in the initial demonstration included:

• City governments
• County governments
• State governments
• Federally recognized Tribal governments

Program Status: The initial demonstration application period has closed. Municipalities interested in modernizing their permitting operations should monitor HUD’s findings, as the demonstration is expected to inform future federal initiatives and funding opportunities related to digital permitting and housing production.

For More Information:
https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/grants-info-funding-opps

Federal Opportunity Spotlight: FEMA Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Grant Program

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for its Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Grant Program, which provides funding to eligible partners to support flood hazard identification, floodplain mapping, and flood risk communication activities that strengthen community resilience.

The CTP Program allows local governments, regional agencies, state agencies, and other qualified organizations to work collaboratively with FEMA to improve the quality, accuracy, and accessibility of flood hazard information used to support community planning, infrastructure investments, emergency management, and floodplain management decisions.

Eligible activities may include:

• Flood hazard mapping and map updates
• Flood risk assessments
• Watershed and hydrologic analyses
• Floodplain management planning
• Community outreach and flood risk communication
• Technical assistance supporting FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Communities that participate in the CTP Program help improve the accuracy of FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps while strengthening local resilience to future flood events. The program is particularly valuable for municipalities experiencing development pressures, changing flood conditions, or recurring flooding issues.

Eligible Applicants:

• State governments
• Local governments
• Regional planning organizations
• Flood control districts
• Other qualified public entities with technical mapping capabilities

Application Deadline: August 17, 2026

For More Information:
https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/cooperating-technical-partners/become-partner/apply-grants

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