Local aid provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to municipalities is a significant source of budget revenue. While much of this aid provides funding for the local school system, it also funds veterans benefits, public libraries and general community programming. Municipalities track their funding on ‘Cherry Sheets’ which are maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Total non-school local aid increased 6.9% in the Pioneer Valley between FY2016-FY2017. Increases occurred across all three counties in the region, with Hampden County experiencing the largest increase of 8.7%, which was drive largely by an 11.6% increase in local aid to Springfield. Hampshire and Franklin experienced slightly more modest increases, of 4.1% and 1.3%, respectively.