# Community Preservation Meeting

The City of New Bedford held a Community Preservation Meeting focused on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding process for fiscal year 2027. The meeting provided an overview of the CPA program, which is funded by a 1.5% real estate property surcharge, generating approximately $2 million annually for community projects. The discussion detailed the application and eligibility process for grants, emphasizing the importance of realistic funding requests, project scope adherence, and the need for proper documentation such as property owner consent and certificates of good standing. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) reviews and scores applications objectively, considering factors like project feasibility, community support, and maintenance plans. The CPC then recommends projects and funding amounts to the City Council, which can approve, reduce, or reject proposals but cannot add new projects or increase funding. The meeting also covered grant agreement requirements, including quarterly status reports and phased disbursements, and encouraged applicants to leverage CPA funds with other funding sources. On average, the CPC awards 17 to 20 grants annually, supporting projects in historic preservation, recreation, open space, and community housing. The meeting served as a resource for potential applicants to understand the CPA funding cycle, application expectations, and the collaborative review and approval process involving the CPC and City Council.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Professional Services
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 17, 2026

### Sources
- [Community Preservation Meeting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-Oiup3kInw) - City of New Bedford