MGC Releases Applications and Guidelines for 2022 Community Mitigation Fund Program
- December 07, 2021
- by MGC Communications
- 0 comments
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is pleased to announce the release of the 2022 applications and guidelines for the Community Mitigation Fund (CMF) grant program. The 2022 Guidelines specify the required forms and submission instructions, which are available here. Applications from municipalities and other qualified governmental entities seeking mitigation funds are due by January 31, 2022.
The Massachusetts Legislature legalized casino gaming to produce broad-based economic development, including jobs and revenue. The Legislature also established an equally important mandate to mitigate unintended impacts associated with the arrival of casino gaming. To that end, the law created the Community Mitigation Fund to support communities and governmental entities in offsetting costs related to the construction and operation of gaming facilities.
Since 2015, the MGC has issued approximately $28 million in funding to advance needs in transportation, non-transportation planning, workforce development, and public safety for municipalities and government entities located in the vicinity of the casinos.
According to the statute, the Commission will issue funds to assist host and surrounding communities, including “but not limited to, communities and water and sewer districts in the vicinity of a gaming establishment, local and regional education, transportation, infrastructure, housing, environmental issues and public safety, including the office of the county district attorney, police, fire, and emergency services.” Also, the Commission may distribute funds to a governmental entity or district other than a single municipality to implement a mitigation measure that affects more than one community.
“From its inception, the Community Mitigation Fund has provided much needed resources to the host and surrounding communities of the Commonwealth’s gaming facilities to minimize casino impacts,” said Chair Cathy Judd-Stein. “To assist communities in applying for the 2022 grant cycle, the Commission is hosting an informational session on December 14th from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m., and I encourage interested municipalities to attend as they prepare their submissions.”
Learn more about the 2022 Community Mitigation Fund and find applications by clicking here.