Massachusetts state officials unveiled this month Build For Mass, a new $75 million revolving loan fund designed to help Massachusetts cities and towns pay for new public projects targeting infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience and economic development.
Build for Mass is described as the first municipal infrastructure loan program of its kind in Massachusetts, offering flexible, low-interest financing intended to help communities complete and implement projects efficiently. MassDevelopment, the state’s economic development finance agency, will administer the funds.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll announced the program at a meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Local Government Advisory Commission. Driscoll, a former mayor, said the fund gives local leaders flexibility to bridge funding gaps and keep projects on track.
The fund will offer two loan products; the Green Loan Program will provide bridge financing for clean energy projects eligible for the federal Direct Pay program, such as battery storage and ground-source heat pump systems. The General Loan Program will help municipalities bridge financing gaps for federally funded infrastructure work, including neighborhood revitalization and seawalls.
The program prioritizes investment in small and rural communities. As loans are repaid, funds will be reinvested into future projects as a model expected to support multiple rounds of investment over the next 20 years.
Applications for local governments are expected to open later in 2026. Funding comes from $50 million through the Commonwealth Federal Match and Debt Reduction Fund, created by legislation signed in 2024, plus $25 million from the Department of Energy Resources to support clean energy projects.
Photo by Mike Norris from Pexels
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