Projects will bring affordable housing, jobs and flood protection to nine communities
New jobs in Brattleboro, and new, energy-efficient affordable housing in White River Junction and Addison County are among the nine projects receiving more than $2.4 million in grants from the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP), announced Friday, Nov. 20.
“From Brattleboro to Barre, communities across Vermont will use these grants to create jobs, build affordable housing, expand services to their residents, restore historic buildings, and make their communities more resilient,” said Gov.Peter Shumlin.
“We are excited to be partnering with the private and nonprofit sectors to help carry out the visions of these communities,” commented Patricia Moulton, secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
“While targeted to the needs of lower income Vermonters, Community Development Block Grants address the needs of communities and represent a true partnership between the federal, state and local government,” said U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development (HUD) deputy commissioner Josh Hanford. The projects include expanding childcare and pre-K opportunities in Barre and Vergennes, creating new affordable housing located near jobs and services in Hartford and Waltham, assisting the towns of Cambridge and Waterbury with flood mitigation, and supporting the growth of a major employer in Brattleboro. A full list of projects is below.
The state awards approximately $7 million annually in competitive grants through the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development. The grants are funded through the HUD Community Development Block Grant Program. Vermont’s congressional delegation has been steadfast in supporting the funding that makes the program possible.
In a joint statement, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said, “High-quality and sound infrastructure are essential as we work to improve life in Vermont for job-creating businesses and for hardworking families. Each of these projects serves an instrumental role in their communities, from improving flood mitigation to ensuring that children have a safe place to learn and prosper. This federal investment will empower Vermonters to offer much-needed helping hands to community members who need it most, and we congratulate each of the recipients.”
Town of Brattleboro, $1,000,000
To assist with the acquisition and expansion of buildings and infrastructure at the Exit One Industrial Park to support the expansion of GS Precision, resulting in the creation of at least 31 new jobs over the next two years and 100 new jobs over the next five years in Brattleboro.
Town of Waltham, $498,000
To redevelop a blighted mobile home park with 14 duplex-style VerMod rental homes, all of which will be affordable housing. (VerMod homes are high energy-efficiency modular homes manufactured in Vermont.)
Town of Hartford, $360,000
For the construction of a mixed use building, which will include 17 units of housing, 16 of which will be affordable, on a vacant lot at 27 North Main Street in downtown White River Junction.
Town of Cambridge, $329,192
To implement two important flood mitigation measures–replacing the Cambridge Greenway/Railroad Bridge with an adequately sized bridge and also enlarging two culverts under Route 15.
Town of Barre, $150,000
To the Montessori School of Central Vermont, Inc. (MSCVT) to assist in the acquisition and retrofit of the former Knights of Columbus building to serve as apermanent home.
Town of Waterbury, $53,300
To assist with its home elevation pilot project to elevate eight historic homes on Randall, Elm and Union Streets. Seven of the homes are located in the historic district.
Town of Brattleboro, $30,000
To complete a feasibility study to determine if a building site will be financially feasible for the organization to consolidate and expand services to homeless and at risk populations.
City of Vergennes, $30,000
To the Mary Johnson Children’s Center, Inc. for predevelopment activities including preliminary design and engineering, development consulting, an environmental site assessment, and an appraisal.
Town of Salisbury, $20,000
To undertake a feasibility study and financing plan to preserve and better utilize the historic Salisbury Town Hall by creating a community center.
