WESTFORD CENTER — Rep. Jim Arciero and Sen. John Cronin recently announced that the Town of Westford was awarded $4,720,761 in state funding through the Fiscal Year 2027 round of the Community One Stop for Growth program.
The funding was announced by the Healey-Driscoll Administration on Oct. 1 and will support pedestrian safety, trail connectivity, housing development and economic development efforts throughout Westford.
“These awards will help Westford move forward with projects that improve connections between neighborhoods, support new housing opportunities, make our roads and sidewalks safer and strengthen Westford’s local business community,” Arciero said. “I’m grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to partner with communities across the Commonwealth and to Westford officials for their work to bring these projects forward.”
According to a press release from Arcierio and Cronin, the majority of the funding, $2,872,404, was awarded to the town through the MBTA Community Catalyst Fund to construct a 2,200-foot shared-use path along the west side of Powers Road, extending from Trailside Way north to Concord Road. When completed, this path will connect the proposed housing development at 37 Powers Road and the surrounding neighborhoods to Concord Road (Route 225) and Littleton Road (Route 110).
An additional $1,568,357 was awarded to the town through the MBTA Community Catalyst Fund to support the construction of utilities and open space associated with the redevelopment of the Westford Regency hotel into a mixed-income housing development. This new housing development is part of the Route 110 corridor and is located near commercial amenities and public transportation, falling within Westford’s MBTA Communities Act zoning district.
Another $215,000 was awarded to the town through the MBTA Community Catalyst Fund to support the design and permitting of pedestrian safety improvements along Littleton Road near Nashoba Valley Technical High School. This project will coincide with a MassDOT project that will install a new crosswalk and improve an LRTA bus stop in the area through the Vulnerable Road User Bus Stop Program, aiming to strengthen pedestrian safety, connectivity and accessibility along the Route 110 corridor.
Finally, Westford was awarded $65,000 through the Real Estate Services program to support continued economic development efforts through the Discover Westford Initiative, which helps promote business development, recruitment and retention in town.
“This investment gives Westford the resources to turn long-standing community priorities into tangible improvements,” Cronin said. “From safer pedestrian access to new trail connections, mixed-income housing, and support for the Discover Westford Initiative, these grants will make a meaningful difference for residents and local employers alike. I appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Westford’s local leaders for working together to deliver these funds.”
The Community One Stop for Growth is a state-led initiative that combines multiple grant programs into a single application process, making it easier for cities and towns to access funding for housing, infrastructure and economic development.
