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Lakeville seeks $94,000 state grant to fund economic development strategy
Summary
Town Administrator Andy Shukwoff told the reconstituted Lakeville Economic Development Committee the town submitted an active application to a state program asking for $94,000 to hire consultants to develop a full economic development strategy and open future grant opportunities.
Town Administrator Andy Shukwoff told the Economic Development Committee on July 14 that the town submitted an active application to a MassDevelopment-run program seeking $94,000 to develop a formal economic development strategy.
“We're asking for $94,000, which will essentially get us a full economic development strategy,” Shukwoff said. He identified the opportunity as part of MassDevelopment’s community planning grant programs (one-stop growth technical assistance and planning grants) and said the town expects to hear back in September or October and to receive funds soon after approval.
Shukwoff said the requested funding would pay for a consultant team to produce an existing-conditions analysis, corridor studies and a roadmap of target areas, and that Cambridge Econometrics (consultant previously contacted for a preliminary estimate) provided an initial quote used for planning. The consulting process, if funded, would likely include community surveys and meetings with the committee.
Shukwoff described the grant as an entry point to other state funding streams and programs that can support street-level work, site remediation and infrastructure for development. He said the town had applied for only one targeted planning grant in the current cycle and that MassDevelopment typically encourages targeted applications.
Committee members discussed procurement and selection: if the grant is awarded, the town will run a formal procurement process to invite bids, interview consultants and select a firm. Committee members emphasized familiarity with the town master plan and prior community survey results as important inputs for the consultant’s work.
No contract or consultant was selected at the July 14 meeting; the committee agreed to await formal notice of award and to take part in the consultant selection and scoping once funds are available.
