| Breakout Sessions:
Finding the Funds: Tools for Municipalities Municipalities are being asked to do more with less, making access to new and innovative sources of capital more important than ever. This panel will dive into funding opportunities that can help communities invest in infrastructure, maintain essential services, and respond to disasters. The panel will include presentations about Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office (FFIO) Build for Mass program, water infrastructure State Revolving Fund, and a new state disaster fund. Planning for the Future: What’s Next for Housing and Zoning Communities are at the front lines in responding to the housing challenges facing residents. With several new policies and legislative changes expected to take effect in the coming months, municipalities can learn and prepare for what comes next. This panel will include presentations from Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) on variance changes included in the FY27 budget, innovations in modular housing, and more. From AI to Cyber Threats: Keeping Municipalities Secure From protecting sensitive municipal systems to understanding emerging AI-related risks and opportunities, communities need strategies that keep pace with a rapidly changing digital environment. This panel will examine the evolving cybersecurity landscape, provide practical insights for municipal leaders, and share how the Commonwealth is thinking about using AI to streamline services for municipal adoption. The Next Big Thing: Siting Emerging Technologies Whether it involves new energy systems, advanced infrastructure, data centers, or other emerging technologies, local governments are increasingly being asked to make decisions about where and how these developments should be located. This panel will highlight municipal responses to address and plan for battery energy storage systems, and the new state framework for data center development will be presented. Building Healthier Regions: Municipal Success Stories in Public Health Regional approaches to public health have demonstrated how municipalities can work together to strengthen services, improve efficiency, and deliver better outcomes for residents. This panel will showcase examples of regional collaboration and explore what other communities can learn from their experiences. This panel will highlight successes using opioid settlement dollars, the rural health transportation program, and more.
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