Burlington Seeking $500K CARES Act Training Grant With Bedford

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington, with partners, is applying for $650,000 in grant funding related to the recession, town officials told the Board of Selectmen at their most recent meeting.

Economic Development Director Melisa Tintocalis told the Board that the town, along with Bedford and MassHire, is applying for $500,000 in federal funding made available through the CARES Act for job-training in the life-sciences and health sectors. The grant is a Community Development Block Grant, a type of federal grant usually not available to the town.

The funding would be used for one- and two-year training programs at local institutions like Middlesex Community College for entry-level employment in the industry. Residents would be eligible and there are local businesses in the sector, Tintocalis noted.

The town is working on another grant, for $150,000, along with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. This grant would go to "micro-enterprises," those with five or fewer employees.

The full June 8 Board of Selectmen meeting is available here via BCAT.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.