On Wednesday, November 5th, the City of Amesbury received a $3.6 million MassWorks Grant to support the Amesbury Route 110 at Elm Street/Clarks Road Improvement Project. The grant will fund several key infrastructure upgrades, including $2.8 million for improvements to Route 110 at Clarks Road, $75,000 for a sidewalk extension along Clarks Road, $525,000 for a waterline improvement project at Route 110 and Elm Street, and sewer siphon pre-construction activities along Route 110. Together, these projects will significantly enhance infrastructure in support of new housing and commercial developments within Amesbury’s 40R East End Smart Growth and the MBTA 3A Rocky Hill Overlay Districts.

This funding is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s announcement of over $179 million awarded to 314 local projects across 190 communities through the Community One Stop for Growth program. Managed by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED), in collaboration with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and MassDevelopment, the initiative supports local economic growth through investments in planning, zoning, site preparation, infrastructure, construction, and housing development.

Governor Maura Healey 

“We’re proud to be a state of strong cities and towns—made stronger by programs like the Community One Stop for Growth, which give local leaders the tools they need to strengthen their economies and improve quality of life. These grants will help communities build housing, lower costs, improve road safety, revitalize downtowns, create jobs and more. We can’t wait to see the impact of these investments across Massachusetts.” 

State Senator Barry Finegold, Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Economic Development Committee

“We prioritized simplified access to state support so municipalities can meet their economic development goals. These grants address housing and infrastructure needs and create jobs.”

State Representative Dawne Shand

“Amesbury’s leadership understood how to make the MBTA Communities Act work for its growth and economic development. I want to thank Secretary Augustus for visiting the city, seeing its potential, and investing in its infrastructure.”  

Mayor Kassandra Gove 

“This is what it looks like for local and state leaders to work together to build a stronger Commonwealth. We know the affordability issue plaguing our neighborhoods is based in a lack of housing production. No city or town can shoulder the burden of solving this issue alone. In Amesbury we have been proactive about planning and zoning updates that will give more people the chance to stay in Amesbury or to call our community home. The support of the state for infrastructure improvements will make these opportunities a reality. I look forward to seeing this project get started.” 

Nick Cracknell, Director of the Office of Community & Economic Development

“Recognizing the many physical and economic challenges involved with adding over 600 units of new housing and commercial development within the Elm Street, Clark’s Road, and Route 110 Corridor, this funding will prove critical to making these projects economically viable and enable the building and site design of these projects to include a wider array of on-and off-site amenities, better streetscapes, and a higher-quality building design.”

Joe Buckley, Director of Public Works

“Dependable infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and flooding management, along with a safe and capacity driven roadway network, are critical for the success of development and the community where it is constructed. This grant works to support those goals today, and more importantly when this housing is completed, ultimately looking out for the community overall.”

About the Community One Stop for Growth  

The Community One Stop for Growth is a streamlined application process overseen by the Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED) that provides easy access and opportunities for cities and towns to apply for 12 state grant programs administered by EOED, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the quasi-public agency MassDevelopment. Programs in the One Stop offer direct funding and support to economic development projects related to community capacity building, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, infrastructure, and housing development. To learn more about the One Stop, visit www.mass.gov/onestop.