Municipal Planning Grants Available FY 2011

Municipal Planning Grants (MPGs) will be available once again this year with applications due on November 30, 2010. MPG funds provide assistance for town planning and implementation. Information about the program is available online at: http://www.dhca.state.vt.us/Planning/GMS/OnlineApplication2011.htm
MPG funding for fiscal year 2011 (FY11) was allocated approximately at the same $400,000 level as in FY10, which is about half of the annual allocation received earlier in the past decade. Because of the reduced funding, the Community Planning and Revitalization Division conducted user surveys, meetings and interviews to determine how best to support the planning needs of Vermont municipalities at this time.

Based on responses to this outreach, two notable changes have been made in the program for FY11:

1. The emphasis of the statewide priorities is now more focused on implementation of the municipal plan.
2. A cash match will be required for grant requests between $8,000 - $15,000. Matching funds will not be required for grant requests of $8,000 or less.
Please review the online Program Description for details.
Online applications will be required. We encourage you to begin working on your application well before the online application website becomes available later this fall. You can start now by meeting with appropriate boards and consultants and developing your work plan and budget using the Sample Application as a reference. See instructions for getting started on the FY11 MPG Webpage.
Application dates:

End of September/early October, 2010 – Opening of online application website will be announced
November 30 – Application due date
December 31 – Grant decisions announced

For any questions about the MPG program please email Wendy.Tudor@state.vt.us or call: 802-828-5249 (direct line) or (800)622-4553 (toll free).