Lakeville approves application for FY26 Community One Stop economic development grant

The Town of Lakeville Select Board voted on May 19 to approve submission of a FY26 Community One Stop application to fund an economic development strategy and plan.

Town staff told the board the proposed scope mirrors plans other communities have used: a consultant‑led economic development strategy roughly 40–50 pages in length, with market analysis, recommendations and an implementation framework. An initial informal quote returned at about $95,000; an earlier, broader vendor estimate had reached about $125,000 before the scope was trimmed. The town administrator said the grant is a planning‑and‑zoning category that allows one such Community One Stop application per year and that the economic development strategy was a priority for the administration and the economic development committee.

Select Board members asked whether the consultant scope includes cost estimates for implementation. Staff said the draft scope did not include detailed budgetary impacts for implementing every recommendation; consultants typically identify priorities and options, not full project budgets. One member asked that the economic development committee have more opportunity to review the proposal in future iterations; staff said the grant deadline was approaching and the town’s grant writer was helping prepare the application.

The motion to approve submission of the FY26 Community One Stop application passed by roll call. Town staff said they would circulate the final application draft to the board before submission to allow any last comments.

Action details: the board approved submission of the application as presented and authorized staff to finalize the grant submission. If awarded, the economic development committee would likely drive the project and assist with stakeholder outreach and implementation oversight.