Arlington, MA, April 2026 – The Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (Mass MVP) Coalition is thrilled to see proposed funding for statewide climate resilience projects via the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program increase to $500 million in the newly published version of the “Mass Ready Act” from the Massachusetts Senate. We are deeply grateful to President Spilka, Chairs Rodrigues, Cronin, and Rausch, Vice Chairs Comerford, Mark, and Fernandes, and the Massachusetts Senate for their strong leadership in keeping the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on its path to becoming the most resilient state in the nation. These proposed investments will help fortify our infrastructure, protect our ecosystems, and ensure the well-being of generations to come.
MyRWA’s Director of Climate Resilience, Nasser Brahim, testifies in front of the Environment and Natural Resources committee in July 2025
The Mass MVP Coalition – a group of municipal, regional, watershed, and conservation organizations from across the Commonwealth – has been advocating for the past three years to increase funding for the MVP grant program to $500 million, $100 million per year, in the next 5-year environmental bond bill, called the “Mass Ready Act.” MVP funding has been a lifeline for communities across Massachusetts as they plan and implement climate resilience projects and programs on the ground. Still, the need for funding has vastly outpaced the level available.
When filed by the Healey Administration last June, the Mass Ready Act included $315M toward the MVP program – up from $75M in the previous environmental bond bill. After passing favorably through the Committees on Environment and Natural Resources and Bonding, Capital Expenditures, and State Assets, the Senate Ways and Means Committee increased MVP funding to $500 million in their draft of the bill. On April 15th, the Massachusetts Senate voted favorably on $500 million for MVP.
Communities across the Commonwealth are facing ever-increasing challenges, including heat waves, droughts, coastal and inland flooding, and extreme weather, and they are doing so in the context of an ever-more-uncertain funding landscape. Cities and towns are ready to spend this money to implement local and regional solutions on the ground. The Mass MVP Coalition commends the $500 million commitment toward MVP as a recognition of this need. The MVP Coalition is deeply committed to seeing these resilience investments enacted into law.
QUOTES
“We are so grateful to the Senate for proposing a boost in support for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program from $315 million to $500M per year. We are seeing the need in our communities to invest more in reducing risks from climate impacts - everything from flooding to drought to heat - and the MVP program does just that.” - Emily Norton, Executive Director for the Charles River Watershed Association
"Additional funding for the MVP program will ensure that projects are funded based on their ability to deliver meaningful climate resilience outcomes that benefit communities, infrastructure, and the environment. The environmental challenges we face as a commonwealth are considerable, and HVA recognizes the value of the MVP program particularly for rural Berkshire County. This program is a cornerstone in mitigating climate risks like flooding while safeguarding our region's natural heritage." - Erik Reardon, Berkshire Watershed Director for the Housatonic Valley Association
“The Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) is thrilled that the Massachusetts Senate Ways & Means version of the Mass Ready Act includes $500 million for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program. IRWA has partnered with communities in our region through the MVP program to upgrade culverts, restore salt marshes, and support critical regional planning efforts, all of which improve the health of our watershed and the resiliency of our communities to threats posed by climate change. We are very thankful to the legislators advocating for this increase in funding, and look forward to continuing to partner on the critical projects that this funding will support.” - Erin Bonney Casey, Executive Director for the Ipswich River Watershed Association
“The MMA is pleased to see such a strong commitment from the Senate to the Municipal Vulnerability Program, with proposed funding of $500 million. The MVP Program has helped nearly every city and town in the Commonwealth address climate resilience, thereby strengthening our communities and our environment for years to come. Municipalities cannot do this work alone, and we’re grateful to see the Senate’s support reflected in its authorization for this key program." – Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director, Massachusetts Municipal Association
"Climate change starts with water — whether it's too much or too little, flooding or drought. These hazards are growing more severe and it is critically important that Massachusetts continues to strengthen communities and make them more resilient. The MVP program has been a success, and Mass Rivers applauds the decision to increase funding for this tremendously impactful program." —David McGlinchey, Executive Director, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance
“We are thrilled to see that Massachusetts continues the leadership that created the MVP program. This funding increase shows vision for the future in the face of ever-increasing needs for communities and the natural world to move together towards climate change resilience.” - Emily Boss, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Woodlands Institute
“The Mystic River Watershed Association, on behalf of the statewide MVP Coalition, extends its sincerest gratitude to the Massachusetts Senate for including $500 million for the MVP program in the Mass Ready Act. From flood storage and restored wetlands to shade canopies and coastal flood barriers, MVP enables proactive, equitable, on-the-ground solutions that would otherwise be impossible. This $500 million investment meets the scale needed for Massachusetts to become the most resilient state in the country, and we are deeply grateful for the Senate’s leadership.” — Patrick Herron, Executive Director for the Mystic River Watershed Association
“The MVP program is vital to the advancement of community climate resilience. Municipalities cannot do this on their own and must compete over dwindling dollars to support necessary adaptations. The Senate's inclusion of this dedicated funding will go a long way towards helping communities stay healthy and safe as they deal with extreme weather events caused by climate change.” - Kerry Snyder, Managing Director for Community Resilience for the Neponset River Watershed Association
“We applaud the bill's $500M toward the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program. Not only does MVP invest in building safer communities from the ongoing impacts of climate change, but by utilizing nature-based solutions the program builds communities that are more resilient, and wonderful places to live, work and raise a family.” - Katie Theoharides, President and CEO of The Trustees of Reservations
“The MVP Program has been a critical resource to municipalities throughout the 495/MetroWest region, who have been able to pursue important resilience projects that otherwise would likely not have been funded. This program makes a real, tangible difference for our cities and towns, and we applaud the Senate for taking this step.” – Jason Palitsch, Executive Director, The 495/MetroWest Partnership
The Massachusetts MVP Coalition includes: Mystic River Watershed Association, Charles River Watershed Association, Ipswich River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, Housatonic Valley Association, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, The Trustees of Reservations, Franklin Land Trust/MA Woodlands Institute, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, 495/MetroWest Partnership, Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
