Greetings,
As you can see from the newsletter, there are many grant opportunities available to towns and non-profits to address a myriad of issues from land use, culvert replacement to improving water quality. We realize that the alphabet soups of grant programs can be very confusing, but don't despair! The staff at the SWCRPC is here to assist, please don't hesitate to give us a call and we'll try to help you out with the program that is best suited for your needs.
It is the beginning of budget season for many towns, please don't forget to look into the many grant programs that are being offered by the Agency of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Conservation. These programs can financially assist a town with erosion problems, road and culvert improvements, and stormwater infrastructure. The majority of these programs require a 20% match but they can also provide funding in excess of $500,000.00 for certain improvements. If you have any questions, give us a call or
email
me.
Good luck this budget season,
Tom Kennedy
Executive Director
|
Hazard Mitigation Funding Opportunities Available
Following the damages across the State in late June-early July, Vermont received a Federal Disaster Declaration to assist in our recovery from the disaster. With this declaration, a new Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding period is open. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) and Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grant Programs are currently in the application period NOW. For eligibility requirements and to discuss potential projects please contact Allison.
|
Big Demand for Planning this Year
Three Municipal Planning Grant applications requesting more than $52,000 were submitted this year from this region. This is more than double the usual amount of funds available to this region each round. The applications this year include a comprehensive re-write of Ludlow's Municipal Plan, a comprehensive update to Chester's Unified Bylaws, and a multi-jurisdictional outdoor recreation plan for Weathersfield, West Windsor and Windsor. The towns should be notified by the end of November if they received an award.
|
$1 Million Awarded for Pedestrian Improvements in the Region
Congratulations to Chester, Cavendish and Springfield for their successful grant applications to the Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Program. Cavendish was awarded $4,000 to install Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at the VT 131 crosswalk near the elementary school. Chester will receive $800,000 to upgrade the sidewalk and install lighting along Depot Street to help connect the Chester Depot to the Village Green, a project that is identified in their Village Master Plan. Springfield was awarded about $156,000 of additional funds needed to complete the South Street sidewalk improvement project. Springfield Main Street pedestrian improvements between Summer Street and Valley Street, as identified in the Main Street Master Plan, will also be completed with an approximately $48,000 award under this program.
|
December 4th Property Parcel Mapping Information Meeting
The Vermont Agency of Transportation is funding a project to create and update of parcel data over 3 years to create a statewide, consistent, and up-to-date GIS database of parcel boundaries.
Please join other towns from the region as we find out about this program and how it will affect your work. All Towns are eligible and expected to participate. Bring your questions!
Monday, December 4, 2017
12:00 - 1:30pm
Chester Town Hall, 556 Elm St, Chester, VT
|
Better Connections Grants announced
VTrans has just announced another grant round of their Better Connections Program. Annually, the program awards approximately $200,000 in planning funds to help cities and towns (outside of Chittenden County) build more livable,
walk-able
and strong communities. Chester, Springfield and Windsor have all recently funded projects under this program. All applicants are required to participate in a pre-application meeting with Better Connections program managers before December 31, 2017. Grant applications are due by January 31, 2018. For more information, visit the
website.
|
Value of the Connecticut River Exceeds $6 Billion
There is no question that the Connecticut River is a significant asset for this area. At the request of the Connecticut River Joint Commissions, the Rockefeller Center at Dartmouth College completed a study to analyze the combined economic value of the river for both Vermont and New Hampshire. The report includes a summary of the value assessment in Table 8 on page 22.
|
Clean Water Block Grant Funding is Now Available
Project submissions for the statewide Clean Water Block Grant are underway. The VT DEC is expected to award over $1 million by mid-2018 for eligible projects submitted through the local Regional Planning Commissions. We have accepted the role as the lead RPC and grant administrator. Contact Cindy for more information.
|
Ecosystem Restoration Grant Opportunity
The next round for Ecosystem Restoration Grant applications are due by December 15, 2017. This program provides funding support for design and construction projects that reduce pollution and improve water quality. Interested applicants can contact Chris Yurek or visit this
website
for more information.
|
Municipal Roads
Grants-In-Aid Improvements
The Municipal Roads Grants-In-Aid Pilot Program was in full swing this past season. There are 186 participating municipalities, including 7 in our region, that are working to bring close to 30 miles of hydrologically-connected roadway up to full compliance with draft Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP) standards by early next spring. For more information about this pilot program, contact Cindy or visit this
website
. See this VT DEC
website
for more information about the draft MRGP standards.
|
|
|
Please refer to our
Grants Website
for up to date information about existing grants relevant for our towns and region.
|
|
Southern Windsor Windham Counties Solid Waste Management District
|
Battery Recycling
Every town in the District has a place to recycle batteries - the transfer stations. And now Windsor residents can now bring their alkaline and rechargeable household batteries to the Town Offices; there's a bucket for used batteries just inside the front door. The statewide goal for 2017 is to collect 80,000 pounds. We can achieve that with a greater level of participation. Bring those batteries in!
|
Don't forget about us!
When there are personnel changes on your boards or in the office, please help us by sending your updates to us promptly. We use your contact information for a variety of purposes including:
grant opportunities;
upcoming road construction projects (including road and bridge closures);
trainings and events
and many other things!
If you have any updates for town staff or volunteers, please send them to
Chris Titus
.
|
|
Are you on Front Porch Forum?
|
The towns of Cavendish, Reading, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor have all joined. The mission of Front Porch Forum is to help neighbors connect and build community. It does that by hosting regional networks of online neighborhood forums. Common sense and a growing body of research tell us that well-connected neighborhoods are friendlier places to live, with less crime, healthier residents, higher property values, and better service from local government and public utilities.
|
|
 |
|
