Four area towns receive planning grants 

Ludlow, Brandon, Cavendish and Hartford awarded planning grants 

Four municipalities in Rutland and Windsor Counties were among 29 towns awarded planning projects totaling $598,997, Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development announced, March 24. 

The money will fund a range of projects around the state intended to stimulate economic development, grow housing opportunities, and ensure adequate public infrastructure.

 “Municipal Planning Grants help communities connect the dots by funding the tools and resources they use to plan ahead,” Gov. Phil Scott said in the news release. “From data gathering to outreach and design, planning is an essential component for infrastructure investments we need to make.

Ludlow

Ludlow was awarded $18,571 to create a housing action plan by collecting and analyzing data, identifying needs, researching implementation tools, and listing priority actions to address the area’s severe housing needs and gaps. The total project cost is $20,635. 

Brandon

Brandon was awarded $23,760 to partner with the Rutland Regional Planning Commission on a project to expand an interactive map of the region’s cultural, historical, and recreational assets to facilitate local tourism and support connected communities. The total project is estimated to cost $26,400. 

Cavendish

Cavendish was awarded $15,552 to update its capital budget and program to include new 2020 town plan goals, recognize changes in existing conditions, and ensure that budgets reflect capital improvement priorities. The total project cost is estimated to be $17,280.

Hartford

Hartford received $18,000 to update the town plan’s economic development chapter, conduct extensive public process to develop a vision, goals, strategies and actions for a strong local economy. That total project cost is about $20,000.

Since 1998, the Municipal Planning Grant program has provided over $14 million to 237 cities and towns. For information on all 29 projects, visit:
accd.vermont.gov.