State Funding to Support Preparedness and Risk Reduction Efforts
BOSTON – On Thursday, Senator Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury) and Representative Hannah E. Kane (R-Shrewsbury) announced that the Town of Shrewsbury received a $22K grant through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program. The MVP program, which is coordinated through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, seeks to help communities adapt to climate change.
Shrewsbury seeks to apply the grant to gain a better understanding about the effects of climate change, and how the effects would directly impact the community. In particular, the financial resources available through MVP will help the Town update its existing 2012 Open Space and Recreation Plan and 2016 Master Plan that are currently being implemented by the Master Plan Implementation Committee.
“While Massachusetts continues to be a leader in pursuing clean energy options, it is also important to help communities identify opportunities to reduce risks and to build resilience against potential threats such as extreme weather and climate-related hazards,” said Senator Moore, who previously served as an Environmental Police Officer. “Given recent events, it is particularly important for our Commonwealth to take the lead in this area. The funding through the MVP program will go a long way to help Shrewsbury adapt to climate change.”
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for awarding Shrewsbury a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant,” said Representative Kane. “As a result of this innovative grant, Shrewsbury can be proactive in addressing the local impacts of climate change, both at present and in the future. I am pleased that this grant will provide our municipality with the resources to evaluate our Open Space and Recreation and Master Plans and further identify ways in which we can protect and advance our landscape and natural resources, and build resiliency to climate imposed hazards and complications.”
In a statement, representatives of the Town said, "The Town of Shrewsbury is pleased to have been chosen to receive grant funding to participate in the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program. We look forward to working to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans based upon our existing Open Space and Recreation Plan and Master Plan, with the goal of becoming an MVP certified community."
A total of 66 communities across the Commonwealth received MVP grants this year totaling more than $1 million. To learn more about the program, please click below.