WORCESTER, MA — Massachusetts cities and towns can now apply for Build for Mass, a $75 million loan program intended to help finance infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience and economic development projects.
The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the opening of applications on October 20. MassDevelopment administers the program, which offers financing described by the agency as flexible and low-interest.
The program prioritizes Gateway Cities and rural communities. Worcester is a designated Gateway City, placing it among the communities the program is intended to prioritize. That designation does not establish that Worcester has applied for or received financing.
The announcement identifies no Worcester project or award. The $75 million represents the statewide loan fund, rather than money allocated specifically to the city.
What the loans can support
Build for Mass is designed to address financing gaps, including situations where communities need money before federal funding or eligible tax-credit payments become available.
The administration’s announcement describes two broad financing categories: general infrastructure loans and green loans. MassDevelopment’s program overview separates those categories into three application paths:
- Municipal General Loan: Financing for infrastructure projects supported by federal funding, including transportation, economic development, clean energy and climate resilience.
- Municipal Green Loan: Financing to cover upfront costs for municipal clean energy projects eligible for the federal Direct Pay program while municipalities await applicable tax-credit payments.
- Conventional Green Loan: Financing for eligible organizations pursuing projects with a public benefit that qualify for the federal Clean Electricity Investment Credit.
Examples listed by MassDevelopment include ground-source heat pumps and battery storage at municipal buildings, federally supported downtown improvements and coastal resilience work. These are examples of potential uses, not announced local projects.
For Worcester and surrounding communities, the program could provide another way to finance qualifying public improvements. Any specific proposal would still need to meet program requirements and receive approval.
Where the money comes from
According to the administration, $50 million comes from the Massachusetts Federal Matching and Debt Reduction Fund. Another $25 million comes from the Department of Energy Resources, working with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, to support clean energy projects.
Borrowers must repay the loans. MassDevelopment will oversee lending decisions, loan servicing and compliance.
As repayments come in, the money will become available for additional projects. The administration says that revolving structure is intended to support repeated rounds of infrastructure investment over 20 years. That period describes the fund’s intended operation, rather than a repayment term promised to every borrower.
How to learn more or apply
MassDevelopment’s Build for Mass webpage provides links to municipal general, municipal green and conventional green loan applications, along with expression-of-interest forms.
Prospective applicants can contact the agency’s Green Finance team at build4ma@massdevelopment.com or call 617-330-2000 to discuss a project.
The announcement and program overview do not specify a numerical interest rate, application deadline or standard repayment term. Applicants should confirm those details, along with project eligibility and borrowing requirements, with MassDevelopment.
🔎 W.U.W. Verification Box
Project / Topic: Build for Mass infrastructure and clean energy loan program.
Current Status: Applications open; no Worcester award identified in the announcement.
Key Dates or Decisions: Program announced in July 2026; application opening announced October 20, 2026.
Estimated Cost: $75 million in statewide loan capital. Individual project costs not provided.
Timeline: The administration anticipates recycling loan repayments into additional projects over 20 years.
Immediate Next Steps: Interested applicants can review application materials and discuss eligibility with MassDevelopment.
Primary Sources: October 20 announcement, program webpage, program overview and Massachusetts Gateway City listing.
What We Do Not Yet Know: Whether Worcester or nearby municipalities will apply; specific local projects; numerical interest rates, repayment terms and application deadlines.
About The Author
