Berkshires Awarded MVP Grants

03:20PM / Monday, February 09, 2026Print Story | Email Story

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $3 million through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning 2.0 (MVP 2.0) grant program to help local communities take concrete steps to prepare for climate change.

In Berkshire County the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) on behalf of Adams, Lanesborough, North Adams, and Williamstown was awarded $325,000.

Monterey was awarded $100,000.

Twenty-one municipalities and three regional groups representing 11 additional municipalities are included in this round of grantees. These planning grants will support communities in updating local climate resilience plans and move immediately from planning to action, by funding on-the-ground projects that protect neighborhoods from flash floods, keep residents safer during heatwaves, and ensure reliable water supplies during drought.

"Every city and town is already planning ahead to address extreme weather, and we want to give them the support they need to protect their residents and their infrastructure," said Governor Maura Healey. "This program ensures that no community is left behind as we prepare for today’s challenges and those ahead."

Nearly every municipality—about 99 percent, or 349 communities— are currently enrolled in this grant program after completing the initial planning grant process. MVP Planning 2.0 grants help cities and towns update their climate resilience plans, prioritize the needs of residents facing the greatest risks, and launch pilot projects. Due to the increased demand and strong track record, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is seeking to double funding for the MVP program to $315 million in the proposed Mass Ready Act. The bill also allows nonprofits to apply for grants and partner with cities and towns on high-impact local projects.

MVP Planning 2.0 guides communities to prioritize the needs of those most affected by climate change, ensuring their leadership in the planning process. Cities and towns will also receive training on best practices in climate resilience and equity, allowing them to rethink their current plans based on improved community participation in the process. Each selected community will also receive $50,000 in guaranteed funding to support projects that enhance their resilience to climate impacts.

Communities will continue to have access to an updated online resource called Guides for Equitable and Actionable Resilience (GEAR). This tool provides important information on how local climate issues relate to community concerns like housing and health.

The municipalities receiving grants will work with experts in climate resilience and will have an Equity Partner to help keep equity at the forefront of their plans and projects. They will form a team of community liaisons with strong ties to the populations most affected by climate change.

MVP is a priority program of ResilientMass, the statewide program to reduce risk and strengthen communities in the face of climate change impacts.

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McCann Tech Deems Social Media Threat 'Not Credible' After Police Investigation

Staff Reports 09:19AM / Thursday, March 12, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — McCann Technical School officials confirmed Thursday that a threatening social media post directed at the school was found to be a illagitaemt following an investigation by the North Adams Police Department (NAPD).

School administrators notified families that the NAPD determined the social media account responsible for the post was not legitimate and there is no credible threat to the campus.

"The post did contain threatening content to McCann Tech, but after investigation by NAPD it was found that the threat was NOT credible and that the social media account was NOT legitimate," the school stated in a message to the community.

While authorities have concluded that students and staff are not in any danger, McCann officials have requested an increased police presence at the school Thursday morning. The school emphasized that this measure is being taken out of an "extreme abundance of caution" to help students and families feel comfortable starting the day.

The NAPD is asking anyone with information regarding the origin of the post to contact the department directly.

Following the internal notification from McCann, North Adams Public Schools (NAPS) issued an "all-call" to its own district families Thursday morning.

"North Adams Public Schools will continue to operate using its standard safety procedures," the NAPS statement read, echoing the police department's conclusion that there is no active threat to local students.

McCann is part of the Northern Berkshire Regional Vocational Technical School District, not NAPS.

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