One of the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission's (CVRPC) lesser known, but most important duties is the administration of Vermont Community Development Program grants on behalf of our member communities. In fact, over the past decade nearly $5,000,000 of this Federal community development money has passed through our office en route to nearly every municipality in the Region.

Community Development grants take two forms. Planning grants are used to develop plans, conduct research, develop organizational capacity, and propose strategies. Implementation grants are awarded for actual site work, construction and rehabilitation. Maximum awards for these programs are $40,000 and $750,000 respectively. Both require a local match which varies depending upon the type and amount of the grant.

Community Development money is well travelled, originating with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, then passing to the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs where awards are made, and finally to cities and towns. HUD money has a number of stringent compliance and reporting requirements. These grants are often administered by regional commissions because commission staff has the expertise and experience to interpret and ensure conformance with these complex requirements.

Community development grants may be awarded to projects which "strengthen local long-term community development planning, action, and responsibility for the benefit of all residents." Emphasis is placed on proposals designed to benefit low and moderate income populations. Consequently, most of the projects funded in this region and elsewhere are for housing, economic development infrastructure, or the rehabilitation of various types of public buildings.

Some of the more significant community development projects in which CVRPC has played a major role in recent years include:

• Renovation of the former Beck & Beck building in Barre to house TransEd expansion;
• Construction of a new 25,000 sq. foot facility in Barre Town for the Vermont Foodbank to expands its services;
• Renovation of the Brook Street School in Barre City to house HeadStart and other programs;
• Acquisition and improvements to the Verdmont Mobile Home Park in Waitsfield and Evergreen Place Senior Center;
• Improvements in East Montpelier to the Fairmont Farm;
• The rehabilitation of Plainfield's historic town hall;
• The development of business incubator sites at the "Old School House" in Marshfield;
• The development of a plan for the future use of the State Farm in Duxbury;
• The completion of a feasibility study for restoration of the White School in Worcester;
• The completion of a Statewide study on revolving loan funds; and
• The acquisition of the Limehurst Trailer Park in Williamstown.

Since 1983, Central Vermont has received over 14% of the almost 400 Community Development grants awarded in Vermont, despite comprising less than 10% of the State's population. CVRPC has administered almost a quarter of these grants by number and nearly half by monetary value.

Call Laurie Emery at 229-0389 or e-mail her at [email protected] if you would like to learn more about what we can do for you.

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