MA H5218

Department of Environmental Protection must establish a competitive grant program for Massachusetts small businesses transitioning to a circular economy, which keeps materials, products, and services in circulation as long as possible

Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs must create a grant program for non-profits, academic institutions, and businesses to conduct ocean health research and develop new ocean-related technology

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must establish a Blue Economy Education Fund to provide high schools with funding for educational development, workforce training, and job placement programs in blue-STEAM industries (ocean sector jobs in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics)

Grant priority for the circular economy program goes to certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses, businesses located in environmental justice communities, and businesses providing substantial benefit to environmental justice populations

All programs are subject to appropriation and require applicants to be incorporated in, licensed in, or have a location in Massachusetts