Budget Amendment ID: FY2024-S3-47

ENV 47

Circular Economy Grant Program

Ms. Moran moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following section:-

SECTION X. Chapter 21 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding, after section 67, the following section:-

Section 68. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection shall establish a competitive grant program to provide funding to Massachusetts small businesses for the transition to a circular economy. Circular economy is defined as an economy that keeps material, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible. The department shall promulgate regulations to support the creation of the program. The department shall be authorized to accept applications from businesses that are incorporated in, are properly licensed to do business in, or have a location in Massachusetts. All grants made under this program should provide a measurable economic benefit to Massachusetts.

The department shall evaluate a list of criteria in awarding grant applications. The Department shall prioritize applications that fall under any of the following categories: applications that are from (i) certified minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises; (ii) businesses that are geographically located within an environmental justice population; and (iii) businesses that provide substantial benefit to environmental justice populations, as long as these applications meet all other necessary criteria. Environmental justice populations are defined in section 56 of chapter 8. The department is authorized to use its discretion to decide between applications of similar standing.