Municipal Planning Grants announced – applications due September 30

Communities all around Vermont are using Municipal Planning Grants (MPGs) to help revitalize downtowns, become more resilient to flooding, and to address a variety of local challenges. This year the legislature made $476,544 available for MPGs. The increase from last year’s funding recognizes the impressive accomplishments of the towns and cities that received these grants.

Up to $20,000 will be awarded to eligible municipalities chosen through a competitive selection process. See the FY15 MPG Program Description for details on eligibility, funding and the competitive criteria. Grant applications are due September 30, 2014.

A wide range of municipal planning activities are eligible for funding but projects that fit into one of the following priorities will have a higher likelihood of receiving grants.

a. Municipal Plan updates for the purpose of:

  • Addressing inconsistencies with statewide planning goals or the Regional Plan
  • Flood resilience planning

b. Bylaw updates for the purpose of:

  • Correcting clear conflicts with the Municipal Plan
  • Implementing the flood resilience recommendations of the Municipal Plan

c. Special Projects for Designated Areas (Downtowns, Village Centers, New Town Centers, Neighborhood Development Areas or Growth Centers)

All applications must be submitted through our online grants management system, but you are strongly urged to develop the application off-line first. Please use the page-by-page Application Instructions and the Sample Application, both located on our MPG webpage to work out the details of your project and the narratives for your application. Note that starting this year, grant funds can no longer be used for municipal staff time or grant administration.

Training for the online application system and preparing a good MPG application will be offered through GoToMeeting on Thursday, August 7th from Noon – 12:45. Contact DHCD staff here for more information and to register. Space is limited.

DHCD staff looks forward to helping to fund your community planning efforts. Please don’t hesitate to contact Annina Seiler if you have questions or need assistance with your MPG application.

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