Goldberg announces forgiveness grants

State Treasurer and Chair of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Deb Goldberg this week announced 13 communities across the state will receive in excess of $6.7 million in loan principal forgiveness.

The funds were awarded to municipalities most in need of assistance due to loan payments to the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust. The money was administered by the state and funded by the federal government.

The loans were originated to fund water projects such as upgrades to water treatment facilities and storm water and sewer improvement projects.

“The Clean Water Trust delivers a critical service to our municipalities by financing water infrastructure projects," Goldberg said. "Improving water quality presents a range of both public health and economic benefits for the citizens and communities we represent."

The goal of the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust is to improve water quality in the state by providing low-cost capital financing to cities, towns and other municipalities as well as maintaining stewardship of public funds.

“By providing access to low cost capital, the Clean Water Trust enables communities to make much needed investments in this critical, yet often forgotten infrastructure,” undersecretary for the executive office for administration and finance and designee to the Clean Water Trust Board of Trustees Rachel Madden said. “I look forward to working with the Treasurer’s Office, the Department of Environmental Protection and all other members of the Clean Water Trust on similar projects in the future.”

The forgiveness funds are attached to an original loan amount of more than $190 million.