Cape Cod, Middlesex Top List Of MA Community Colleges To Get Clean-Energy Grants

WEST BARNSTABLE, MA — The state has awarded grants totaling more than $13.4 million to help over a dozen community colleges expand their training in heat-pump technology and related clean-energy fields.

Cape Cod Community College, in West Barnstable, and Middlesex Community College, in Bedford, received the largest grants – each was awarded $1.25 million, according to a news release Tuesday afternoon.

Eleven other colleges are getting grants, ranging roughly between $810,000 and $1.2 million. (See list below.)

The grants come through the Mass Clean Energy Center, an economic development agency created by the commonwealth in 2009.

The schools will be part of the center’s new Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network, whose goal is to “open pathways for more Massachusetts residents to pursue in-demand careers such as heat pump and HVAC mechanics and technicians, while helping employers meet growing workforce needs,” the release said.

The center expects the grants to support training for at least 500 additional students and drive investments in infrastructure and equipment.

Beyond the funding, the CEC said, the initiative will ensure quality and consistency in heat-pump training through the development of a common curriculum and shared resources.

“We need a strong pipeline of energy workers to help keep our homes comfortable and lower energy bills,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

“By investing in HVAC and heat pump training programs, we’re making sure Massachusetts has the skilled workforce needed to meet growing demand and creating lasting economic opportunity in every corner of the state.”

Heat pumps are energy-saving, nonpolluting devices that use a variety of methods to transfer heat from one space to another, providing both warm and cool temperatures where they are needed.

Heat-pump training awards to MA community colleges

• Berkshire Community College: $1,188,635
• Bristol Community College: $1,199,694
• Bunker Hill Community College: $1,130,000
• Cape Cod Community College: $1,250,000
• Greenfield Community College: $810,000
• Massasoit Community College: $555,000
• MassBay Community College: $1,200,000
• Middlesex Community College: $1,250,000
• Northern Essex Community College: $1,105,455
• North Shore Community College: $1,069,431
• Quinsigamond Community College: $824,556
• Roxbury Community College: $1,079,472
• Springfield Technical Community College: $809,989

There are 15 community colleges in Massachusetts; Holyoke Community College and Mount Wachusett Community College did not receive grants.