The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grant program (MVP) provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts to begin the process of planning for climate change resiliency and implementing priority projects. The state awards communities with funding to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented resiliency plans. Communities who complete the MVP program become certified as an MVP community and are eligible for MVP Action grant funding and other opportunities. 

The program helps communities to:

   1) Define climate related hazards
   2) Understand how they may be impacted by climate change utilizing the latest science and data
   3) Identify existing and future climate vulnerabilities and strengths
   4) Identify opportunities to take action to reduce risk and build resilience
   5) Implement priority actions identified through the planning process

The Town of Pepperell was awarded the grant in June of 2019 in the amount of $37,500.00 to complete the community resiliency planning process and prepare a local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Pepperell partnered with Tighe and Bond, a certified MVP Provider, to complete the work. We have completed two workshops and with the input from community members, an advisory committee and a core team have been able to complete many of the goals of this process. On September 1, 2021, Pepperell was one of 66 communities to receive an action grant of $492,030 for the Sucker Brook Continuity Restoration project.

On September 21, 2021, the Town received its formal approval of the Hazard Mitigation Plan from FEMA Region 1.  The plan approval now enables the Town to be eligible to apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs.

Below is some valuable information about the MVP grant, the presentation given at the workshops and the prioritized recommendations and voting results from the workshops.



     - Formal Approval - Hazard Mitigation Plan - 2021
     - Local Mitigation Plan Review - Final - 2021


Tighe and Bond Presentation Materials for April 6, 2020

Below is some valuable information about the MVP grant, the presentation given at the workshops and the prioritized recommendations and voting results from the workshops. 

     - Final Draft MVP Report
     - Presentation - Slideshow

• EEA Information on MVP Planning Grant
• EEA Information on MVP Action Grant
• ResilientMA: Climate Change Clearinghouse for the Commonwealth
• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning
• FY20 MVP Action Grant
• MVP Workshop Presentation
• Prioritized Recommendations and Voting Results
• Pepperell HMP Update 2021