Berlin, Vt – Governor Phil Scott today announced $468,552 in Municipal Planning Grant awards at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. Of the 51 municipalities that applied, 31 towns and cities will receive planning grants to develop solutions that address local community issues.
The Governor highlighted three planning grants awarded within in Washington County: Berlin, Middlesex and Waitsfield. Berlin is working to create a new, mixed-use and walkable town center in the area encompassing the Berlin Mall and the Central Vermont Medical Center. Middlesex and Waitsfield are also pursuing projects to create lively, walkable and economically vibrant town centers.
“Reinforcing town and village centers is critical to growing our economy. Like so many towns in Vermont, Berlin, Middlesex and Waitsfield rely on the work of planning commissioners, select board members and other volunteers to strengthen their communities for future generations,” said Governor Scott. “I’m pleased we can support their efforts through these grants.”
“These funds will help towns focus on building, enhancing and making connections in the community to develop the town centers of the future where both businesses and residents can thrive,” said Bonnie Waninger, executive director of the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission. “In Berlin, the grant will help make progress towards creating a new town center in the mall area with a wide range of uses including new housing and a childcare center.”
Other municipal grants awarded will fund a wide range of projects in municipalities large and small throughout Vermont, including a study to resolve the childcare shortage in Randolph, evaluating the potential for inter-town firefighting in and around St. Johnsbury, and recovering from the loss of Green Mountain College in Poultney. Several towns will use grants to revise zoning regulations and take other steps to improve local housing opportunities.
The Municipal Planning Grant Program is administered by the Community Planning and Revitalization Division in the Department of Housing and Community Development and has been funding local initiatives since 1988. More information about the program is available at: https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/munic….
Summaries of the all 2020 grants are available here: https://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accdnew/files/documents/CD/CPR/MPG/CPR-M….
The State also prepared a short annual report with case studies of completed Municipal Planning Grant projects.
About the Department of Housing and Community Development
The Department of Housing and Community Development works to support vibrant and resilient communities, promote safe and affordable housing for all, protect the state’s historic resources, and improve the quality of life for Vermonters.
About the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s (ACCD) mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on ACCD please visit: accd.vermont.gov.