Mass. pledges $4M in CIC grants to foster collaboration

BOSTON – The Patrick administration last week announced a second round of Community Innovation Challenge grants for fiscal 2013. According to a news release, $4 million will be made available to support local government innovations through regional collaborations.
The grants aim to provide financial support for one-time or transition costs related to innovative regionalization and other efficiency initiatives in local governments. By improving the effectiveness of shared programs and services, the state is able to spend taxpayer money more efficiently, maximizing the impact of every dollar spent.
During the first grant round, 100 applications were received from cities and towns. The Mass. Executive Office for Administration and Finance awarded $4 million in grants to 27 programs throughout Massachusetts for programs including facilities management, public safety, public health, education and the environment. The CIC program’s second round began accepting applications on Sept. 12.
“As a commonwealth, it is in our shared interest to provide communities with tools and resources to implement or improve regional services,” said Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray in a statement.
Applications, information session dates and times, and guidelines are available at www.mass.gov/anf/budget-taxes-and-procurement/working-for-you/community-innovation-challenge-grant/. •

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