MassDOT Launches Community Culvert, Unpaved Roads Grants

BOSTON - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Division is announcing updates to Grant Central, a one-stop shop for MassDOT's municipal grant programs.

Updates include launching two new grant programs and implementing a Fully Integrated Application (FIA), an all-in-one funding request application used for all of the MassDOT Highway Division's competitive grant programs. Municipalities may now apply for design support and up to $1,000,000 in construction funding for a single transportation project. Multiple grant programs can be used to fund a single project based on size and scope. Applications are accepted twice per year.??? 

"Grant Central is a game-changer for municipal leaders. It's a one stop shop for leaders to find out what grant programs they have available to them and as a former mayor, I'm thrilled that we're making it easier for municipal leaders to deliver for their communities," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As an administration, we're committed to ensuring our 351 cities and towns can thrive, and these new grants and this application system will give them the resources and tools to do that."  

Grant Central will now accept applications for two new programs, the Community Culverts Program, and the Unpaved Roads Program. The Community Culverts Program provides funding to municipalities and Tribal governments for culvert modernization, reconstruction, removal, repair, replacement, and resiliency and biodiversity improvements. The Unpaved Roads Program supports the maintenance, repair, and improvement of locally owned dirt and gravel roads across Massachusetts.?? 

Grant Central is a streamlined portal that manages MassDOT Highway Division's eight municipal grant programs including the Chapter 90 Program, Complete Streets Funding Program, Shared Streets and Spaces Program, Municipal Pavement Program, Municipal Small Bridge Program, the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program, Community Culverts Program, and the Unpaved Roads Program.?? 

The new FIA combines the applications of all Highway Division competitive grant programs into one easy to use application. By utilizing unique logic, the application only asks relevant questions based on user inputs. Using the project scope, MassDOT matches the request to the appropriate funding program(s) for consideration.?With FIA, municipalities no longer need to research which grant program to apply to or manage various program deadlines.??? 

Design is now an eligible expense for all FIA programs. Municipalities may apply for design funding up to $150,000 (unless working with a MassDOT-led designer through the Local Bottleneck Reduction, Community Culverts, or Small Bridge Programs, where design is fully funded). FIA also introduces an increased construction grant limit of $1,000,000 per award, regardless of funding source(s). Finally, equipment and materials grants are available through FIA up to $250,000.?? 

Applications will be accepted beginning November 6, 2025, and will close January 9, 2026, for the 2026 Fiscal Year.??? 

Grant Central streamlines MassDOT Highway Division grants, having all information for the eight municipal grant programs in one location at an organized, user-friendly, online portal. Municipal officials who visit the grants portal can read specific details about what each grant program requires for the application to be considered, along with grant contract amounts, deadlines for applications, and MassDOT contact information should officials have questions. This portal also introduces a public-facing grant award tracker, showcasing all grant awards on a map for greater transparency than ever before. Grant Central revolutionizes grant management for MassDOT and municipalities statewide.??? 

For more info on Grant Central and all MassDOT municipal grants, please visit:?https://madothway.my.site.com/GrantCentral/s/?? 

Pittsfield's Christian Center Seeks Community Input on Services, Name

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:57PM / Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Worker Dionisio Kelly, left, board member Kenny Warren, Executive Director Jessica Jones, and Food and Services Director Karen Ryan.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — It's a new year, and The Christian Center is looking at how it can serve the area in 2026 and beyond. 

This includes a possible new name fueled by community forums in late January and early February. 

"We're hoping people will come in and talk about the name, talk about what programs, what services they would like to see from us. What would be most meaningful," Executive Director Jessica Jones said. 

"Because the population in this area has changed quite a bit, and we no longer serve just the West Side. We serve people from other parts of Berkshire County. So the hope is just to make it more inclusive." 

The Christian Center was a stop on Berkshire Community College and NAACP Berkshires' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

The nonprofit will hold three input sessions at 193 Robbins Ave. to inform future programs and branding, and ensure that West Side voices are heard. 

The sessions will be held on: 

• Saturday, Jan. 31, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
• Thursday, Feb. 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 
• Tuesday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. 

The center dates back to the early 1890s, when it was the Epworth Mission started by the Methodist Church to serve newly arrived immigrants and help them assimilate. The Christian Center was incorporated in 1974. 

Over the decades, it has drifted away from a faith-based organization to a space for anyone who needs a meal, a warm jacket, a place to bring their child, or a meeting place. A space for everyone. 

This is what center officials wanted reflected in the name.