The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has allocated $18 million from the Community Mitigation Fund to support environmental, education, housing, infrastructure and other issues, it said in a press release.
The CMF team in meetings this year decided how to distribute the grants across various municipalities in the state, including Boston, Everett, Cambridge and Medford.
“The Community Mitigation Fund is an important and impactful program aimed at maximizing the benefits of legalized gambling while mitigating any unintended impacts associated with the operation of the Commonwealth’s casinos,” MGC Interim Chair Jordan Maynard said in the release. “This program is a direct investment in our communities, prioritizing projects that enhance local infrastructure, public safety and harm reduction. The 2024 grant recipients represent innovative and tangible initiatives, which upon implementation will have a positive impact on communities and residents across the state.”
Established through the Expanded Gaming Act in 2015, the CMF has awarded about $56.7 million in grants. The money assists host communities and surrounding areas in covering costs associated with casino establishment and operation.
The MGC in May said it awarded $160,000 to the Safe Exit Initiative to bolster human trafficking research. In April, it also granted $1.5 million to workforce development programs, providing training and work-skill development opportunities.
