42 municipalities will share funding for planning projects
MONTPELIER, Vt. – The state has awarded $409,532 in Municipal Planning Grants to 42 communities across the state to help them plan for a variety of forward thinking objectives including economic development, village revitalization and future housing needs. These grants of up to $15,000 cover a variety of planning initiatives and projects.
Funded projects include village planning in Peru, Hinesburg and Fairfax, innovative form-based plans and bylaws in St. Albans, Burlington and Newport, a housing assessment in Rutland, public works and capital planning in Cavendish, standards for highway commercial development in Waltham and New Haven, and an economic development plan in Bennington that will involve all the key businesses and organizations. Municipalities have 18 months to complete their planning projects.
“These grants support planning activities that are at the heart of Vermont’s broad community development strategy,” said Noelle Mackay, commissioner of the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development. “Our investments will help promote economic activity and appropriate development in our downtowns and village centers, while protecting Vermont’s working landscape.”
“Many of these grants will support towns and cities around the state in planning for economic development,” added Mackay. “Incorporating an economic development element with other land use elements, such as housing and infrastructure, is now a requirement of municipal plans.” She said a number of flood affected towns such as Waterbury, Rochester and Wilmington will receive funds to address long-term planning needs.
The Municipal and Regional Planning Fund was first established in 1988 as a way to support municipal planning and development. The program offers grants of up to $15,000 through a competitive process. Municipalities were funded to support updating town plans, zoning bylaws and planning for necessary public infrastructure related to downtown and village revitalization.
Please visit the State of Vermont Municipal Planning Grant website for more information.
