The state is making roughly $250,000 in grants available to communities across the state for municipal planning and other special projects. Officials at the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development announced the Municipal Planning Grants of up to $15,000, which can be used for a variety of planning projects.
“While the budget crisis has curtailed the amount available, we are committed to funding the most urgent planning projects to maintain our commitment to smart growth,” said Tayt Brooks, Commissioner of the Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development.
Through a competitive process, towns can be awarded grants for such planning activities as updating town plans, maps and zoning bylaws; however, Brooks said priority will be given to the following types of projects this year:
Updating municipal bylaws for the purpose of bringing bylaws into conformance with the municipal plan by 2011 as required by law;
Developing or updating a municipal plan that addresses pressing planning concerns in the community (A recently expired plan or pending expiration of a plan alone will not be considered a priority);
Studies or activities furthering growth center planning that will help meet requirements for designation and;
Studies or activities leading to a Vermont Neighborhoods designation application.
As part of Governor Jim Douglas’ E-State Initiative, these grants will now be applied for, approved, and administered on-line, with training on how to apply on-line available on March 23 and April 16 before the April 30 application deadline.
“This is an excellent example of how we are using technology to be more efficient in state government,” Brooks said. “Eliminating the paper involved in applying for and administering grants makes the process faster, less costly, and less time-consuming for both the applicant and our staff.”
The Municipal and Regional Planning Fund was first established in 1988 and funds technical assistance for town planning; zoning bylaws; implementation of town plans; encouragement of citizen participation and education; and innovative demonstration planning projects.
Municipalities may apply for any amount up to $15,000 or $25,000 for multi-town “consortia” projects. Funds for the municipal planning grants are allocated by the Vermont Legislature from revenue generated by the property transfer tax; last year the program had roughly $438,000 to grant.
With no local matching funds required, this is one of the few state grant programs accessible to even the smallest of Vermont municipalities. Communities have 18 months to complete their planning projects.
The application deadline for this program is April 30, 2010 and awards are expected to be made in May. The Municipal Planning Grant site can be accessed at: www.dhca.state.vt.us/Planning/MPG.htm
Source: Caommerce Agency. 2.26.2010