The Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) requests proposals from qualified consultants to conduct a regional housing study. This housing study will help to address our regional housing needs by identifying potential development and redevelopment sites well suited for housing that are located within community centers and are served by municipal water and sewer. Please see the Request for Proposals documentation for additional information. Questions received about the RFP and responses provided by MARC can be found here.

The MARC seeks bids from qualified earthwork contractors for construction of stormwater drainage improvements at the Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor, VT. Please see the Request for Bids documentation and final engineering drawings and specifications for additional information. Please also see Addendum #1 to the Request for Bids.

The Mt. Ascutney Regional Commission (hereinafter “MARC”) invites qualified firms to submit proposals for the development of a Master Plan for the redevelopment of the former correctional facility property on County Road in Windsor, Vermont.
All proposals must be emailed to:
Mt. Ascutney Regional Commission
Attn: Tom Kennedy
tkennedy@marcvt.org
Proposals must be received no later than the response deadline of July 28 by 3:00 PM EST. Late proposals will not be considered.
Pre-Bid Site Visit June 29, 2023, at 10:00 AM
For more information: Request for proposals
Questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing to Tom Kennedy at tkennedy@marcvt.org no later than July 14, 2023, by 3:00 PM EST.
Answers to all questions received by the deadline will be compiled into a single PDF document which will be posted on MARC’s website.

The Northern Border Regional Commission is accepting letters of interest for the fall 2023 round of the Forest Economy Program! The Commission’s Forest Economy Program (FEP) supports the regional forest-based economy and the industry’s evolution to include new technologies and viable business models across the 4-state NBRC region. Organizations interested in applying for funding are encouraged to attend an information session. Information sessions are scheduled for August 8th and 9th, and letters of Interest will be accepted from all eligible applicants no later than 5:00 p.m. EST September 22, 2023. LOI required information should be submitted as one PDF and sent to fep@nbrc.gov.
Please visit the Forest Economy Program page of the NBRC website for additional information about the program, including info session details, investment priorities, and application requirements.

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) started the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grant program in 2014 with funding from the Department of Environmental Conservation, investing $200,000 on 15 projects in designated downtowns and village centers. More recently, the Multiunit Dwelling Electric Vehicle Charging grant program awarded 13 project proposals from affordable and non-profit multiunit housing providers across 8 counties. In 2022, the legislature appropriated $10,000,000 to continue funding incentive programs for EV charging and, as of July 6, 2023, applications for this funding are being accepted.

Contact: Martha Harrison with questions.

The Town of Springfield, VT is requesting proposals for production of a scoping study to identify alternatives, issues and costs and provide recommendations related to construction of a salt shed facility on Fairground Road, funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration and the Town of Springfield, through the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) Municipal Assistance Section (MAS). For more information: Springfield Salt Shed RFP

Contact: Martha Harrison with questions. All questions related to this request for proposal shall be addressed to this individual no later than 5 business days prior to the Date Due above.

Mount Ascutney Regional Commission currently administers grants related to all aspects of Brownfields.

Contact: Cindy Ingersoll with questions.

This program provides funding to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural communities with extreme unemployment and severe economic depression. An essential community facility is one that provides an essential service to the local community, is needed for the orderly development of the community, serves a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen with questions.

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen with questions.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has a wide variety of programs and funding opportunities available. Please view the following website for links to a number of EDA programs that have at least one Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) currently open. You can also search for all current and past EDA funding opportunities:

https://www.eda.gov/funding/funding-opportunities

Grant program to states and local communities for mitigation activities. The funding available is $1,000,000 for federal share set-aside for Vermont with up to $500,000 available for planning activities. Funding can be used for Project Scoping to project implementation. Up to $50 million is available per sub-application for nationally competitive mitigation projects. The application period and deadline are to be determined.

Contact: Allison Hopkins with questions.

Grant program funds states, local communities, tribes, and territories to reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Up to $900,000 is available per State for Project Scoping to develop community flood mitigation projects that reduce future NFIP flood claims. Up to $70 million can be applied for per sub-applicant for Community Flood Mitigation Projects to address community flood risk to reduce future NFIP flood claims. The application period and deadline are to be determined.

Contact: Allison Hopkins with questions.

Funding is opening for the major disaster declared for the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden has authorized FEMA to provide the State of Vermont funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) with a contribution of $13.4 million. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a likely application deadline in the summer of 2022, more information coming soon.

Contact: Allison Hopkins with questions.

VCF is dedicated to supporting COVID-19 response and recovery through their new VT COVID-19 Response Fund and through their existing competitive grant programs. Generally, the Foundation's grant rounds are oriented towards place-based and community level work. They have many grants that are specific to a topic and a region.
Learn more at: https://vermontcf.org/nonprofits-and-grantseekers/available-grants/

Contact: Allison Hopkins with questions.

Support may include assistance with equity services, stakeholder engagement, work plan development, community outreach and engagement, communications and marketing, capacity building, grant-writing support, and project design and development.
Learn more at: https://healthycommunitiesvt.com/technical-assistance-opportunities/

Contact: Allison Hopkins with questions.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), aka Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021. There are several funding programs available for improving roads, bridges, transportation services, and safety.
For more info go to: IIJA Notice of Funding Opportunity Tracker
This playbook is intended to help rural communities understand the available funding for infrastructure provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other sources – offering information on the “what, where, and how” to apply for federal infrastructure dollars: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rural Playbook; A Roadmap for delivery opportunity and Investment in Rural America

Contact: Jason Rasmussen to learn more or inquire about homeowner support programs or with any additional questions.

Vermont’s communities face tough challenges responding to and recovering from COVID-19, and the State’s flexible Municipal Planning Grants are ready to support projects for long-term recovery. Now is a great time to consider proposals that boost resilience in your community. Municipal Planning Grants have helped communities just like yours implement town plan recommendations and jump start initiatives like zoning updates to welcome new homes, plans for a state designated area, or economic recovery strategies.
A quarter of the funding has been approved to date, and a total of approximately $450,000 will be awarded to municipalities to promote planning, revitalization, and development activities if the legislature level funds. Towns may apply for up to $22,000 and joint applications from several municipalities (a consortium) may apply for up to $35,000. A wide range of municipal planning and implementation activities are eligible for funding. Strong grant applications demonstrate a clear need and community partnership. I encourage you to reach out to stakeholders now and discuss local needs, opportunities, and strategies for change. Please review the Program Description for eligibility requirements and use the new Application Guide and the criteria for successful applications. Even the smallest Vermont towns can write a winning application and open doors to new opportunities. We look forward to helping you develop creative solutions to improve your community.

• Application Schedule for the 2023 Grants:
• Award Decisions: To be determined
• Contact: Jennifer Lavoie or 802-828-1948.

Supplementing Municipal Planning Grant funds, Act 74 of 2021 makes an additional $500,000 available specifically for zoning/subdivision bylaw modernization projects. This one-time State funding will be available to support municipal bylaw amendments in FY22 that implement “Neighborhoods, “expand choice and opportunity for homes in pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods. The Department recommends that municipalities with bylaw amendment projects that meet this special program’s requirements apply for these funds instead of a Municipal Planning Grant; however, a municipality may apply for both Municipal Planning Grant and Bylaw Modernization Grant funds in FY22.

There are upcoming and ongoing opportunities with Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Department of Public Service, and Utility providers. These programs can help renters and homeowners, make weatherization and energy efficient improvements to their homes.

Contact: Martha Harrison to learn more or inquire about homeowner support programs or with any additional questions.

Municipal Energy Resilience Program Act 172 (2022) allocated $45 million to the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) a program administered by the VT Department of Buildings & General Services to increase energy resilience, reduce energy use and operating costs, and curb greenhouse gas emissions by promoting weatherization, thermal improvements, fuel switching, renewable energy, battery storage, electric vehicle charging, and enhanced comfort in municipal buildings. MERP has three components: • Capacity Building grants (AKA mini grants) of $4,000 for each VT municipality • Free Energy Assessments of municipally owned buildings • Implementation grants of up to $500,000 to do the work identified in the assessments

Please click on the link above for more information and contact Martha Harrison with any questions you may have.

The VT Public Service Department, with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, through a congressionally directed spending award originating with VT Senator Bernie Sanders, has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity with information about support for the installation or repair of clean energy technologies to lower costs and decrease emissions. Public schools and municipal buildings in underserved and disadvantaged Vermont communities are eligible for this opportunity. Eligible clean energy technologies are limited to solar photovoltaics (PV) systems (up to 15kW AC); advanced wood-fueled heating systems; and cold climate air- or ground-source heat pumps. Please click on the above link for more information.

Contact: Martha Harrison with questions.

Funds are available for the acquisition of land for parks and public outdoor recreation, or development of new facilities and/or renovation of existing facilities for outdoor recreation. LWCF grants provide up to 50% matching assistance to the state and local governments.

• Application deadline: 2022-2023 upcoming
• For More Details: https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreationaltrails-program

• Historic Preservation: If your municipality or non-profit organization owns a historic building, you may be eligible to apply for a Historic Preservation Grant to assist with the cost of repairing and maintaining the structure.
• Barn Preservation: If you own a historic agricultural building, you may be eligible to apply for a Barn Grant to assist with the cost of repairing and maintaining the structure.
• Downtown & Village Center Tax Credits: State income tax credits are available to business and property owners with buildings constructed prior to 1983 and located within a State designated downtown or village center. Credits can help defray the cost of historic rehabilitation, façade and code improvements and technology upgrades.
• Application deadline: Varies
• Contact: Caitlin Corkins (Caitlin.Corkins@vermont.gov) at 802-828-3047 to be added to mailing list for grant notifications
• More info: https://accd.vermont.gov/historic-preservation/funding/historic-preservation-grants

https://agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/calendar

Provides funding for projects defined as transportation alternatives (click here for additional FHWA guidance), including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to public transportation and enhancing mobility, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation, trails that serve a transportation purpose, and safe routes to school projects.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen or Logan Nicoll with any questions.

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) started the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) grant program in 2014 with funding from the Department of Environmental Conservation, investing $200,000 on 15 projects in designated downtowns and village centers. The Multiunit Dwelling Electric Vehicle Charging grant program recently awarded 13 project proposals from affordable and non-profit multiunit housing providers across 8 counties. These projects will result in 84 new Level 2 charging ports at 37 locations, reducing the home charging access barrier to EV ownership for 6,230 homes in affordable multifamily buildings. In 2022, the legislature appropriated $10,000,000 to continue funding incentive programs for EV charging. At least 30% of these funds will be used to continue and expand the Multiunit Dwelling Electric Vehicle Charging grant program piloted in early 2022. Additional programs for workplace charging and community and destination charging will also be designed and supported by these funds.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen or Logan Nicoll with any questions.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Program provides funding for projects that provide safe and convenient facilities for those Vermonters who desire alternative transportation opportunities. Past projects in the MARC region have included shared-use paths, sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, and bicycle lanes.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen or Logan Nicoll with any questions.

The Vermont Better Roads Program provides technical support and grant funding to municipalities to promote the use of erosion control and maintenance techniques that save money while protecting and enhancing water quality around the State. Common projects include Municipal Roads General Permit (MRGP)-compliance and large culvert replacements.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen or Logan Nicoll with any questions.

The Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program funds water quality projects and planning with a transportation link.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen or Logan Nicoll with any questions.

USDOT has released a calendar of anticipated dates that Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for major 2023 funding programs will be released. To help potential applicants prepare for these opportunities, DOT also developed a Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist. The White House has shared the Inflation Reduction Act Guidebook addressing clean energy, climate mitigation and resilience, agriculture, and conservation-related tax incentives and investment programs included in the law. The White House also regularly updates a list of open funding opportunities from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law across all federal agencies.

Contact: Jason Rasmussen or Logan Nicoll with any questions.

Was established by the Vermont Legislature under Act 74 with the intent of improving landscape and community resilience and reducing the future public safety and water quality impacts of flood hazards in Vermont, focusing on buyouts of flood-vulnerable properties. This program will prioritize projects that are not eligible for FEMA funding. Available funding is $4.6 million in fiscal year 2022. Round one of applications will be due October 29, 2021 and round two January 31, 2022.

Contact: Allison Hopkins or Chris Yurek with questions.

Support for statewide partner(s) to administer a program that will support the completion of “construction-ready” clean water improvement projects identified on the DEC Watershed Projects Database.

For more information: Visit our Clean Water Design & Implementation Block Grant Webpage