GREENFIELD — Rural communities throughout the state will soon have their own ombudsman, part of a pledge by the Healey administration to ensure that these cities and towns are better represented in state government.

In a swing through Franklin County on Friday to discuss several developments proposed in her budget that will have an impact on this region, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announced the creation of a new director of rural affairs position. A first for Massachusetts, the position will cultivate rural economic development and ensure the state’s rural communities aren’t forgotten.

“That’s how committed we are to making sure we’re paying attention and providing support to our rural communities,” Healey said in an interview after her tour at Just Roots Community Farm on Glenbrook Avenue in Greenfield. “And that extends beyond just farming ... It goes to things like transportation, housing and all sorts of economic development.”

The yet-to-be filled director of rural affairs position would be would be housed in the Executive Office of Economic Development, and would be responsible for “coordinating with secretariats and state agencies to ensure that state government is attuned to the unique needs of rural communities,” according to a press release from the governor’s office.

Driscoll said in an interview that the director of rural affairs position will be charged with ensuring the state is “more intentional” with how grant dollars are distributed.

“We’ve got policies and funding cycles that don’t always take into account the different needs of rural communities,” she said. “Part of the role of this position will be making sure we’re more intentional about how we put dollars out, (how we) think about policy implementation in a way that can benefit our small rural communities, and how we can advance an economic agenda in places that sometimes feel forgotten.”

Food security grants

Healey’s visit, which comes just over two months into her tenure, included a tour of Williams Farm Sugarhouse in Deerfield. During the visits, Healey touted the $25 million proposed in her budget for food security infrastructure grants. For the first time, this would create a permanent funding source for these grants — a prospect that is welcomed by the farming community. In addition to farmers, the grants would go to fisherman, schools and nonprofits.

“Having it be temporary — every round, we never knew if it was going to be the last round,” Just Roots Operations Director Meryl LaTronica said. “Making it permanent allows farmers to relax … to figure out what we need and to know the state cares about our farms becoming more efficient and resilient. It’s a joy and a relief knowing that funding was part of (the proposed budget).”

Healey and Driscoll’s visit to the county began with a tour at Just Roots, where they learned more about the history of the 61-acre farm and the purpose it serves today.

“We have this awesome relationship with the town of Greenfield, where we were able to secure a 30-year lease,” LaTronica said to gathering of Just Roots staff, city officials and state lawmakers. “Having this kind of land tenure and security when we’re looking at things like food security infrastructure grants ... is a way of securing funding; it’s a way of securing partnerships.”

LaTronica said the nonprofit serves 800 families across the state.

“We’re really doing this work that’s not just about the land, but really the people,” she said.

The start of the organization was made possible with the help of state and federal grants.

“We have gone really hard into state funding, and felt the reciprocation and love from (Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources), for sure,” she said.

Before heading to Deerfield, Healey said she was “struck” by the extent of wrap-around services provided by Just Roots and the number of people from here to eastern Massachusetts who rely on programs just like it.

“It just bears underscoring that while we are a state where a lot of people are doing well, there are a lot of people in our state who are dealing with real food insecurity,” she said.

LaTronica shared that the organization, which was successful in the last grant cycle, has applied for about $500,000 in funding to repair a “broken down” barn. In an interview, LaTronica said she’s hopeful for the support of the new administration.

“I feel like the fact they’re here today shows a lot,” she said.

In addition to the new director of rural affairs position and the food security infrastructure grants, the governor’s fiscal 2024 budget includes a number of other provisions to support rural communities, including:

■$7.5 million for rural school aid, a $2 million, or 36%, increase over the current fiscal year. This program provides rural districts with additional funding for the fixed costs of running a school district and exploring strategies to improve longer-term operational efficiencies, the press release states.

■Increased payments in lieu of taxes for state-owned land to ensure full and equitable reimbursement. The governor is proposing $51.5 million for these PILOTs next year, a $6.5 million, or 14%, increase over the current fiscal year.

■Expanding the dairy tax credit cap from $6 million to $8 million to better protect dairy farmers from fluctuations in wholesale milk prices.

■Expanding base funding for regional transit authorities by nearly $9 million, as well as adding $19 million for new grant opportunities for transit providers, including RTAs. At least 25% would go toward providers serving rural communities.

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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