Governor Shumlin announces $4.3 million in Community Development grants
Wed, 03/11/2015 – 12:07pm —
Thirteen Vermont cities and towns will receive more than $4 million in grants to make them more resilient, affordable, and accessible, Governor Peter Shumlin announced today in Montpelier. The municipalities will use the funds to build and improve affordable housing, complete disaster repairs, make public spaces accessible to all residents, and revitalize community centers.
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“Spring is coming and soon these grants will lead to construction projects across state that will help improve communities, grow jobs, and spur economic growth,” Gov. Shumlin said. “From Lyndon to Wilmington, these projects will help our small towns complete disaster recovery projects, create more affordable housing, and further develop their communities.”
The governor was joined by Patricia Moulton, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, who made the awards from the agency’s Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). Representatives of the municipalities receiving grants attended the Statehouse ceremony to accept the awards. They were accompanied by the public, private, and nonprofit organizations that serve as project partners, a hallmark of the VCDP.
“While targeted to the needs of lower income Vermonters, these projects will benefit their towns in many ways and for years to come.” added Sec. Moulton. “Each will make their community stronger from building new affordable homes in the heart of Hinesburg and ensuring all residents can access the public library in Washington to repairing Brandon’s historic town office building.”
Also at the ceremony were representatives of Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch. Each member of the congressional delegation has played a key role in securing the funding that makes the program possible. The grants are funded through the federal Community Development Block Grant Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program helps Vermonters by developing affordable housing, creating jobs, making town halls and community centers accessible by those with disabilities and providing services for people in need. It has also been the source of approximately $40 million to help the state recovery from Tropical Storm Irene and other major floods.
Vermont’s congressional delegation issued this joint statement:
“These grants are timely investments in communities across Vermont. Cities and towns are finding diverse and resourceful ways to use these grants to sustain our sense of community and drive their local economies. Last year we marked the 40th year of the Community Development Block Grant program and it is important that Congress sustains funding for this program that helps fund common sense Vermont projects. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to ensure continued funding for CDBG and the good work this program is supporting in Vermont.”
The state awards the competitive grants through ACCD’s Department of Housing and Community Development based on the recommendations of the Vermont Community Development Board and final approval by Secretary Moulton.
| Awardee | Grant Amount | Project Description |
| Town of Athens | $412,620 | Disaster Recovery Grant to replace and upsize three culverts that have been repeatedly washed out and were damaged again by Tropical Storm Irene. Denied by FEMA, this recovery project is the Town’s last and will make its roads more resilient to future flooding. |
| City of Barre | $19,830 | Planning Grant to help the Granite City Coop, a member-owned cooperative, determine the feasibility of establishing a grocery store in downtown Barre. |
| Town of Brandon | $500,000 | Disaster Recover Grant to repair and rehabilitate the historic town office building which was severely damaged by Tropical Storm Irene. |
| Town of Brattleboro | $425,000 | Deferred loan to Windham & Windsor Housing Trust for the rehabilitation of 29 units of affordable housing in five rental properties throughout Brattleboro. |
| Town of Chester | $108,000 | Disaster Recovery Grant to replace an undersized culvert on Cavendish Road damaged during Tropical Storm Irene. |
| Town of Hinesburg | $675,000 | Deferred Loan to the Champlain Housing Trust and Housing Vermont, in partnership with Snyder Homes, to build 24 new affordable apartments in Hinesburg. |
| Town of Lyndon | $500,000 | Deferred loan to Rural Edge Housing to complete the major rehabilitation of 28 units of low-income senior housing and the area’s senior meals site located in the Historic Darling Inn on Main Street. |
| Town of Rochester | $30,000 | Subgrant to Rochester Community Care Home, Inc. to develop plans that will bring 15 units of affordable senior housing into compliance with ADA and make life & safety and energy efficiency improvements. |
| Town of Warren | $275,000 | Disaster Recovery Grant for improvements to Main Street in Warren which will improve safety and accessibility as part of the Village’s revitalization and recovery from Tropical Storm Irene. |
| Town of Washington | $75,000 | Grant for improvements to the Calef Memorial Library which will bring it into full compliance with state and federal requirements and enable all citizens to access the facility. |
| Town of West Rutland | $850,000 | Subgrant to NeighborWorks of Western Vermont to continue their affordable housing revolving loan fund for home repairs and energy improvements, and financial counseling to income eligible households. |
| Westgate Housing, Inc. | $141,550 | Disaster Recovery Grant to prevent water intrusion in twenty units of affordable housing and ameliorate the mold and mildew resulting from an elevated water table caused by Tropical Storm Irene. |
| Town of Wilmington | $300,000 | Disaster Recovery Grant to construct 520 feet of accessible sidewalk in downtown Wilmington increasing safety and walkability and the furthering the Town’s revitalization after severe damage by Tropical Storm Irene. |
| Total Grant Awards | $4,287,000 |
For information about the Vermont Community Development Program, please see the Agency of Commerce and Community Development website at:
http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities/opportunities/funding/vcdp
Source: Governor’s office. 3.11.2015.
