State Supplemental Budget Delivers Major Funding Boost to New Bedford, Surrounding South Coast Towns

Significant state aid will help offset pressures on local tax levies and fund critical infrastructure and education projects.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:21am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary yellow school bus parked on a tree-lined street, the warm sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of community investment in education infrastructure.The new school bus funded by the state supplemental budget will provide critical transportation for students in the South Coast region.New Bedford Today

The Massachusetts state legislature has passed a supplemental budget that includes substantial funding for the city of New Bedford and surrounding towns on the South Coast. The $320,000 in aid will support educational resources, a new school bus, and infrastructure improvements in the region. An additional $1.6 million will help offset the high costs of this winter's record-breaking blizzard, and millions more are earmarked for special education, home energy assistance, and road repairs.

Why it matters

This state funding boost will provide much-needed relief to local governments and taxpayers in the South Coast region, which has faced mounting fiscal pressures from rising costs and aging infrastructure. The investments in schools, transportation, and community resources will also help improve quality of life and educational opportunities for residents.

The details

The supplemental budget includes $320,000 in funding secured by Senator Montigny for New Bedford and Dartmouth schools to purchase musical instruments, athletic equipment, and career technical education resources. It also provides a new school bus for Dartmouth. An additional $430,000 will fund infrastructure projects like street and sidewalk improvements, library renovations, and high school gymnasium repairs across Acushnet, Fairhaven, and Mattapoisett. The budget also allocates $1.6 million to offset winter storm response costs and $20 million for MassDOT to distribute to communities with extraordinary weather-related expenses.

  • The supplemental budget was passed by the Massachusetts legislature in April 2026.
  • The Dartmouth High School Orchestra is scheduled to travel to Carnegie Hall next year.
  • Initial fiscal year 2027 budget proposals have New Bedford's state education funding increasing by $17 million.

The players

Senator Montigny

A Massachusetts state senator who wrote and secured amendments for the supplemental funding in the state budget.

New Bedford Public Schools

The school district in New Bedford, Massachusetts that will receive significant state aid for educational resources and a new school bus.

Dartmouth Public Schools

The school district in Dartmouth, Massachusetts that will receive state funding for a new school bus and educational resources.

Acushnet

A town in Massachusetts that will receive state funding for infrastructure improvements.

Fairhaven

A town in Massachusetts that will receive state funding for infrastructure improvements, including sidewalk upgrades and library renovations.

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What’s next

The Commonwealth is also seeking a Major Disaster Declaration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to access the Public Assistance Program funding for winter storm response and cleanup costs.

The takeaway

This state funding boost will provide critical relief to local governments and taxpayers in the South Coast region, allowing them to invest in schools, infrastructure, and community resources that will improve quality of life and educational opportunities for residents.