2015 Community Mitigation Funds

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has posted a state and local contract opportunity for the 2015 Community Mitigation Funds. The purpose of this funding is to help municipalities, governmental entities, and districts mitigate specific impacts attributed to the construction of gaming facilities in the state. Applicants must describe the impact, proposed mitigation, impact controls, and relevant excerpts from host or surrounding community agreements. The application deadline is February 2, 2015, and funds will be approved by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by July 2015 after a comprehensive review. The Commission has reserved $100,000 for each designated surrounding community, community with a nearby community agreement, and any community that petitioned to be a surrounding community. Funding can be requested for a mitigation reserve fund or to address a specific impact, and the funds are intended to cover the costs of mitigating the impact from the construction of the proposed gaming establishment.

The Community Mitigation Fund currently has a balance of $17.5 million, with additional contributions to be made once the MGM Springfield and Wynn Everett facilities become operational. There are no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, as the funding is open to municipalities, governmental entities, and districts. The application requires detailed documentation to ensure funds will be used to address the specific impact described, and non-governmental entities receiving funds must provide reporting to the applicant.