A storm water management effort encompassing 31 Central Mass. communities—including Northborough—is sharing in $2.25 million in state Community Innovation Challenge grant funds awarded today.

The Regionalizing Municipal Storm Water Management in Central Massachusetts grant application received $115,000, Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor said in a press release.

Besides Westborough, the storm water management program will includes these communities: Spencer (lead), Auburn, Charlton, Dudley, Holden, Leicester, Millbury, Oxford, Paxton, Shrewsbury, Spencer, Sturbridge, Webster, West Boylston, Boylston, Grafton, Hardwick, Monson, New Braintree, Northbridge, Northborough, North Brookfield, Palmer, Princeton, Rutland, Southbridge, Sterling, Upton, Ware and Wilbraham.

Overall, 27 grants were funded, encompassing 162 municipalities, according to the press release.

"These programs will change the way local governments do business to maintain service delivery and stretch every tax payer dollar as far as possible," the release notes.