Vt. announces funding awards for downtown projects

Gov. Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development recently announced over $860,000 in tax incentives for rehabilitation and revitalization projects throughout Vermont’s designated downtown and village centers.

These six project awards will help generate over $20 million in building improvements and around the state. In addition to these awards, a new round of funding for later this year will be announced in April, with tax credits available to projects in state-designated Downtowns, Village Centers, and Neighborhood Development Areas.

“These investments are impactful, supporting local businesses, creating new housing, and improving the economic vitality of our community centers,” Scott said. “This kind of targeted investment in our downtowns and village centers, along with the strategic use of federal relief dollars, shows what we can do to make Vermont an even better place to live and visit.”

“Thanks to the support of the Legislature, we are excited to be able to expand the reach of this program in the coming year,” said Josh Hanford, commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development. “Our next round of funding will allow applicants of state-designated Neighborhood Development Areas to also participate in the program, supporting investments in rental housing around our existing commercial centers.”

Projects funded include:

• Bennington, 650 Main Street

• $200,000 for redevelopment of the former Bennington High School into a multi-purpose community center and 37 apartments, including both affordable and market-rate units.

• Brattleboro, 22-26 High Street

• $79,000 for façade improvements and code upgrades to a 5-story downtown block, providing space for a restaurant, maker’s market, offices, and studios.

• Enosburg, 366 Main Street

• $327,500 for conversion of vacant commercial space for mixed retail and office use at the historic Perley Block.

• Jeffersonville, 4968 VT Route 15

• $61,575 for the rehabilitation and adaptive re-use of the Jeffersonville Granary for a food hub supporting four local food businesses.

• Rutland, 56 Merchants Row

• $125,000 to support significant code upgrades to the Gryphon building’s upper floors, creating 10 new 1-2-bedroom apartments.

• White River Junction, 5 South Main Street

• $62,600 for completion of code-mandated improvements to the Briggs Opera House, a local landmark and cultural center in White River Junction.

Here is additional information on the projects, including local contact information. Visit the Department of Housing and Community Development website for information about how the tax credits help boost the vitality of Vermont’s communities.

— Office of Vermont Gov. Phil Scott

Local House member has sights set on Vt. Senate

The U.S. and Vermont flags flying in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

The issues that impact working Vermonters have been important to Becca White, from her childhood and right through to her time in public office. And she’s hoping to continue that work in the Vermont Senate. 

White, 28, a local state representative and a White River Junction resident, is vying for a Windsor County Senate seat on the Democratic ticket. Windsor County has three Senate seats, and incumbent Senators Alison Clarkson, of Woodstock, and Dick McCormack, of Bethel, are seeking reelection, while longtime Sen. Alice Nitka is retiring from the post. Chris Morrow, of Weston, remains on the ballot but has dropped out of the race. Vermont’s primary election is next Tuesday, Aug. 9. 

White, a lifelong Vermonter and UVM graduate who grew up in Hartford, is a current Vermont House member representing the Windsor 4-2 district. Before her four years in the House, she served the same amount of time on the Hartford Select Board.

During her Senate campaign going door to door, an issue impacting many Vermonters comes up time and time again: housing.

“The thing I’m hearing most about is affordable housing, both for people who want to stay here and continue to live here … and then for renters, just the inability to find a place to rent,” White said. Concerns around fuel and utility costs are wrapped up in those housing issues, she added. 

“If it’s not the homeowner, it’s their friend, their co-worker, their family,” White said. “Everyone is impacted by the crisis we’re experiencing now.”

The economy, equity and the environment are also high on her list, and White added they have something in common: “Housing actually cuts through all three of those.” 

In Hartford, White’s mother ran a daycare, and her father was a plumber and electrician. And so, giving young, working people a greater voice in public office has been important for White. 

When she got to the Vermont House, she recalled, “there was a good mix of women, but not a lot of young people, and not a lot of people who were working.” 

White supports a legislative effort Clarkson has led, to review whether Vermont’s citizen Legislature is effectively representing the state. 

At the same time, White feels Vermont offers a unique opportunity to participate meaningfully in democratic institutions. She hopes to keep doing so at the State House.

“This is the place where I can put my skills that I have to the highest and best use,” White said.

Reflecting on her time in public office, White said she’s built a lot of relationships that would remain important as a senator. Those include the ability to work effectively with fellow lawmakers, state administration and also local organizers. 

“All of those relationship skills, and knowing who to talk to about what, are so invaluable,” she said.

— Gareth Henderson

Grants awarded for Vt. housing, community projects

The U.S. and Vermont flags flying side by side in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Local housing and community projects in Vermont are receiving support from a new round of federal grants. 

On Thursday, Gov. Phil Scott announced recipients of $2.22 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). This federal money will support six projects throughout Vermont, including three mixed income housing developments, planning for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility improvements and the revitalization of community facilities.

In this week’s announcement, Scott called the CDBG program an “essential resource for Vermont.” 

“Bringing together public and private partners, the program makes a big difference in our redevelopment and revitalization efforts throughout all corners of the state,” he said.

These funds provide federal funding to help local communities address priority projects that primarily benefit individuals of low or moderate income, according to state officials. Supported projects include planning and implementation of housing, economic development, public infrastructure, and community facilities such as childcare and senior centers. The funding announced this week goes to projects in Randolph, Pittsford, Arlington, South Burlington and Highgate. 

“The program has been a crucial funding source for 40 years in Vermont,” said Josh Hanford, the state’s commissioner of housing and community development, in the state’s announcement. “CDBG funding invests in local community development projects which expand low-income families’ access to opportunity in Vermont."

In a joint statement, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I), and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D) spoke about the funding’s broad impact over the decades: 

“Vermont has long benefited from Community Development Block Grant awards, which transform communities by creating opportunities for Vermonters and helping to drive our local economies.”

This year, recipients include the City of South Burlington and Ascend Housing Allies, who were jointly awarded $1 million to develop 94 units of new mixed-income apartments in two separate 47-unit buildings. 

“The Community Development Block Grant award from VCDP will allow Summit Properties, in partnership with subgrantee Ascend Housing, to move forward with one of the State of Vermont’s most ambitious affordable housing projects to date,” said Tom Getz, chief executive officer of Summit Properties, in a statement. “Especially in today’s construction environment, affordable housing requires leadership and support from the State of Vermont, its partner agencies, and local municipalities. VCDP’s and the City of South Burlington’s support for this project puts that leadership on full display and will make an impact on more than 100 people seeking an affordable housing option to live and work in Chittenden County.”

The following six Vermont projects are supported by the program’s funds for fiscal year 2022: 

• Town of Arlington for community revitalization and gathering space.

• Town of Highgate to explore development of a mixed-use property and library.

• Town of Pittsford to explore development of community programming space.

• Town of Randolph for affordable rental housing.

• City of South Burlington for mixed income housing.

• City of Vergennes to plan for ADA renovations of the Vergennes Opera House.

For details on these CDBG awardees and projects, click here.

Editor’s Note: The information in this post is from a news release by the Office of Vermont Governor Phil Scott.

Woodstock’s Tesha Buss running for state representative

The U.S. and Vermont flags in Bridgewater, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Local entrepreneur Tesha Buss has announced her candidacy for the Vermont House. 

Buss, a Woodstock-based Democrat, is seeking the Windsor County-5 seat for state representative, serving Woodstock, Plymouth and Reading. She’s holding an official campaign announcement in Woodstock this Saturday.

“My Vermont businesses have been all about creating vibrant community,” Buss said in a campaign statement released this week. “I rise up to challenges. My experience has prepared me to step up to what we face now as Vermonters. I grew up in the service industry and now I am ready to serve Vermont.”

Charlie Kimbell, the incumbent state representative for Windsor County-5 and a fellow Democrat, is running for lieutenant governor. 

“Tesha has first hand experience of what it is like to run a business in Vermont, a perspective that is very important to have in the Statehouse when shaping policies,” Kimbell said in a statement. “And she has worked to solve local child care needs, a real priority for working people and the entire state.”

Buss opened two businesses in Plymouth during the 2008 recession — Good Commons, a retreat home; and The Good Bus. Using resources from Vermont’s Small Development Center and a grassroots marketing approach, Buss grew both businesses. She continues to welcome guests to Good Commons.

Buss is experienced at renovating and permitting businesses at the state and local level, according to this week’s statement. She led the Rainbow Playschool Renovation Project and has seen firsthand how much money can be saved in energy efficient building. Through her efforts, Buss enabled the creation of many new childcare spots for infants and toddlers serving the towns in the Windsor County-5 district, Woodstock, Plymouth and Reading. She was also instrumental in opening The Community Campus to serve K-6 students in the hybrid schooling days of the pandemic and as a summer and after-school program.

Buss entered public service in 2009, serving as an Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce board member and as the president of the Ludlow Rotary Club. She learned her business skills growing up on her family farm in Illinois. Her family’s other business, a tavern called The Buss Stop, is now employee-owned 38 years later. Following her passion for dance, she earned a BFA from Illinois Wesleyan University, moved to New York City, and performed for 15 years including in the Broadway production of Cats. Seven seasons at The Weston Playhouse brought her to Vermont. 

“I want to see Vermont grow into a state where our next generation can make a living wage and small businesses can thrive,” said Buss, a single mother to an 8-year old. “I think of my own daughter and if she chooses a path of entrepreneurship when she’s older, I want Vermont to be a place of opportunity.”

— Gareth Henderson

Further campaign information can be found at www.teshabuss.com or by calling 802-245-4746.

Welch: Allies standing strong for Ukraine; aid continues to be crucial

(Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Even amid the most treacherous and dangerous situations, acts of kindness and compassion shine through. 

A great many people have stepped in to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Neighboring Poland has given refuge to nearly 3 million Ukrainian refugees as of Wednesday, according to data from the United Nations. 

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., saw this in action when he recently went to Eastern Europe, visiting Latvia, Poland and Slovakia. He traveled with U.S. Reps. Sean Patrick Maloney, D-N.Y., Mike Quigley, D-Ill, and Jason Crow, D-Colo., with whom he serves on the House Intelligence Committee. Welch said the trip was meant to inspect how the U.S. policy of arming the Ukrainians and the coordination with humanitarian aid, is proceeding.

In a Tuesday interview, Welch reported that the coordination between European allies — both NATO, and non-NATO — is impressive.

For the Ukrainians who have fled their war-torn country, their neighbors in Poland have been answering the call to help from the beginning. 

“There are no camps. They're all sheltering in the homes of Polish families who have welcomed them and are willing to house them for as long as it takes,” Welch said.  

Working in partnership with U.S. aid efforts, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia have played important roles in bolstering Ukraine’s strong military operations against Russia, Welch noted.

“Even though they’re small countries, they've been sending an immense amount of military aid,” he said. “They're enormously grateful the U.S. is all in. They feel the U.S. is a full partner with them in their efforts to resist Russian aggression.”

These allies are spurred on in large part by their memories of World War II, and wanting to help their neighbors and prevent the tragedies of war from spreading.

“It’s like it was yesterday,” Welch said, of how they remember WWII. “It's just embedded in their psyche.”

Looking toward the long-term, Welch said there will be a vast amount of work for years to come, to rebuild the damage Russia has inflicted on Ukraine, with cities like Mariupol reduced to rubble. 

There will be a need for aid on many fronts, and Welch said there are ways Vermonters can play a role. 

“Governor (Phil) Scott has expressed an openness to accepting Ukrainian refugees in Vermont,” Welch said. He added that the Biden administration is facilitating those opportunities for Ukrainians to relocate to the U.S.

Also, Vermonters and many Americans have contributed to the humanitarian relief effort by donating to organizations involved, and Welch encouraged that generosity to continue. Vermont recently approved a legislative bill to send more than $640,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

In a recent statement, Scott spoke of those displaced by the war and Vermont’s “moral obligation” to help.

“We are ready, willing and able to accept refugees from Ukraine if need be,” the governor said.

— Gareth Henderson

Woodstock Village to vote on cannabis ballot item

On March 24, voters will decide whether to allow cannabis retailers to do business in Woodstock Village. 

A total of nine items will be on the village ballot, and, unlike past years, all items on the village warning will be decided by Australian ballot. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 24 at Woodstock Town Hall. 

A public informational meeting will be held this Tuesday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall and on Zoom. Read the Village Report by clicking here.

By state law, cities and towns have to vote whether to allow cannabis sales in their communities. If communities approve it, businesses can start applying for a state license on April 1. A state board will review the license requests.

Woodstock's town and village are separate governing bodies, and, earlier this month at town meeting, town voters decided to "opt in" for allowing cannabis retail establishments. That means cannabis retailers who apply for a state license and meet the requirements, will be able to do business in the town.

However, the village — like any municipality — must hold its own vote to opt in or out, and that happens on March 24. Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn wanted village voters to understand that the town's vote does not impact the village, and village voters on March 24 still get to decide whether or not to authorize cannabis retail sales within the village limits.  

"I think there's been quite a bit of confusion (on that point)," Kahn said.

In response to recent questions from voters, Kahn added that, if the village votes to opt in for cannabis retail sales, the village will not see any new tax money as a result. All additional tax money from those sales will go to the state, and the same is true for the town.

In other business for March 24 village voting: Two candidates are running unopposed for seats on the Village Trustees board. Incumbent Brenda Blakeman is seeking reelection for a three-year term, and Gabe DeLeon is running for a two-year term. Incumbent Daphne Lowe, who has served for two years as a trustee, is not seeking reelection.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. looks to strengthen career and technical education

A winter scene by the Ottauquechee River Trail in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As Career and Technical Education Month continues nationwide, the state of Vermont is focusing on ways to enhance career and technical education opportunities and grow the state’s workforce, in the face of recent workforce declines.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a proclamation establishing that same month-long recognition for February in the Green Mountains. Scott’s recent state budget address emphasized career education, and the Legislature is also exploring ways to support these programs. The governor said the state “desperately needs to grow its workforce,” especially in the trades, and he looks forward to working with lawmakers on that goal.

“Whether it’s plumbers, electricians, line workers, fiber splicers, or mechanics, Vermont has thousands of these jobs that need to be filled,” Scott said at a Tuesday press conference. 

In his Tuesday remarks, the governor noted his budget plan has $10 million for reducing education costs for those working toward careers in the trades, which includes $3 million to the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation for those enrolling in training or certification programs. Scott also said the state is launching a $1.4 million recruitment campaign for career and technical education enrollment, which includes engaging with students and parents at the middle and high school levels. 

He also said Vermont has to work to reduce the stigma around career and technical education.

“It’s time we recognize that going into the trades is just as impressive, and in fact can be just as lucrative, as a four-year degree,” Scott said. 

Additionally, with a $90 million surplus projected for the education fund, Scott is proposing putting $45 million of that money toward upgrades for career and technical education centers in Vermont. There are 17 such educational centers across the state. 

“As we spend billions in ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding, in addition to all the money from the bipartisan infrastructure bill, we’re going to need more people who have the skills to weatherize homes, build bridges, install and connect fiber optic cables, and so much more,” Scott said. “We can’t let this moment pass, because the time to invest is now.”

— Gareth Henderson

New program to help with overdue housing payments

A view of Wyman Lane in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

A new statewide program is offering grants of up to $30,000 towards a variety of overdue housing payments.

Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP), which will help Vermont homeowners facing pandemic hardships, is now accepting applications. The program, funded by $50 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will provide grants of up to $30,000 per household to cover overdue mortgage payments, utility bills, property taxes, and property association charges.

The HAP is being managed through the Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) and is expected to run for multiple years to help reduce the long-term risk of foreclosure and home loss.

“As we move forward in our recovery, my administration is making housing a top priority,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a Monday announcement. “In addition to supporting those experiencing homelessness and building new housing stock, we must also work to keep Vermonters in their homes, to stabilize neighborhoods and preserve the health of our communities. This program offers another tool to help accomplish this.”

Passed as a part of ARPA, this program was supported by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.). In a joint statement, the Vermont Delegation said: “As foreclosure moratoriums and forbearance agreements end, many Vermonters are facing an uncertain future. These funds will help homeowners harmed by the pandemic get caught up on their bills and move forward.”

Earlier in the pandemic, VHFA organized the Mortgage Assistance Program, which assisted nearly 900 households with a total of $10 million in mortgage and property tax assistance. The additional federal ARPA funding allows the HAP to offer expanded criteria to support homeowners who do not have a mortgage or who have a reverse mortgage, state officials said, and it will also cover utility bills and homeowner and condominium association fees, to help even more households facing financial challenges.

The program is available to any Vermont homeowner who meets the eligibility criteria, and is not just for VHFA mortgage borrowers. The program is available to Vermont homeowners for expenses related to their primary home, who meet income limits, and who are behind on their bills due to a financial hardship associated with the coronavirus pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020.

“Since the HAP funding is provided as a one-time-only grant, we highly encourage homeowners to talk with a local HUD-approved housing counselor prior to applying,” remarked Eric Hoffman, VHFA’s manager of homeownership business development. “Their free counseling services can help applicants make sure they are taking advantage of all the loss-mitigation tools that may be available to them.”

More information and application materials are available at vermonthap.vhfa.org. The website is available in several languages and includes information about how applicants can access additional translation and application assistance. A Homeowner Assistance Program information hotline is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 833-221-4208.

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale running for Congress

The U.S. and Vermont flags flying in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

A Vermont senator from Chittenden County has announced her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, joining a race that has grown quickly in recent weeks. 

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, a Shelburne resident who also served seven years in the Vermont House, will face Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray in this year’s Democratic primary. Vermont has never sent a woman to Congress, and if elected, Ram Hinsdale would also become the first person of color to join the Vermont Congressional Delegation. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, is running for the Senate after U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy announced he would not seek reelection. 

Advocacy for Vermont’s working families and for action on climate change are prominent issues for Ram Hinsdale, as expressed in a campaign statement Thursday. 

“I’m running for Congress to be Vermont’s fighter for working families, our democracy, and our climate,” Ram Hinsdale said in the statement. “Now is the time to dream and deliver, to advance a bold vision for our multicultural democracy while building a responsive government that meets the everyday needs of Vermonters.”

She told Vermont Public Radio that her commitment to progressive environmental policies began years ago. 

“I was fighting for the Green New Deal before it had a name — that’s how I got into politics in Vermont,” she told VPR. “I introduced Vermont’s first environmental justice bill in 2007 as a senior in college.”

She also mentioned the impact of her upbringing in a multicultural, working class family, noting she felt the economic insecurity when the family’s restaurant failed. 

“And I think my lived experience has propelled me to be someone who’s on the steps of the Statehouse with teachers fighting for their pensions, to be alongside working Vermonters fighting to create more access to housing and homeownership, and to recognize that the fight for our climate is also one that matters deeply to people who are mobile home park residents or migrant farmers,” she told VPR.

Ram Hinsdale moved from Los Angeles to the Green Mountains to attend the University of Vermont, and she graduated from UVM in 2008. She served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016. Ram Hinsdale lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 2016, but returned to the Legislature when she was elected in 2020, becoming the first woman of color to serve in the Vermont Senate. She is a member of the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.

— Gareth Henderson

In run for Congress, Balint focuses on unity, working families

The U.S. and Vermont flags flying in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

In a time of division, Vermont Sen. Becca Balint is looking to bring people together — and now she hopes to do that in Washington as Vermont’s next representative to Congress. 

She announced her candidacy for the U.S. House on Monday, a week after fellow Democrat Lt. Gov. Molly Gray did the same. They'll square off in the Democratic primary next year for the opportunity to become the first woman to serve Vermont in Congress. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), is running for Senate for the seat that will be vacated when longtime U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) retires next year.

Balint is no stranger to breaking barriers. In January, she became the first woman and the first openly gay Vermonter to serve as the state Senate’s president pro tempore. For the first time, the top four leadership roles in Vermont’s General Assembly are all held by women.

In Balint’s U.S. House campaign, the needs of working families are front and center. She often hears from Vermonters who are exhausted from dealing with the pandemic and its many impacts.

“Many folks are at their wits’ end dealing with childcare center closures, COVID infections at their kids’ schools, and having to miss work due to quarantining,” Balint said in an email Wednesday. “Our businesses, our schools, and even our medical centers are struggling. I’m going to DC to fight for Vermont working families. We need a progressive agenda that lifts up working people.”

Balint, who was first elected to the Senate in 2014, said we need to be dedicated to working together to succeed. 

“We can’t tackle these challenges if we remain divided,” Balint said. “We have deep — sometimes dangerous — divisions in our country, our state, and sometimes even with our neighbors and families. But despite all the darkness around us, I know we can still get to a better place.”

She expressed a perseverance in working with others, even with those who disagree. 

“As a leader, I know that the way to make change and to bring people together is to keep showing up. To never turn away from one another,” Balint said. “Growing up I knew I was gay, and I felt like I didn’t belong. I learned that even with people who said hateful things, if I had the courage to keep showing up and engaging, change was possible.”

In her prior role as Senate majority leader, she worked intensively on paid family leave legislation, which ran into a veto from Gov. Phil Scott, but the issue remains a top priority for Balint. She was also a key part of the effort to pass a minimum wage increase. Additionally, Balint was involved in passing the state’s largest-ever investment in affordable housing. As pro tem, she worked to make a huge $150 million investment in broadband access for rural Vermonters. 

“These were all tough fights,” Balint said. “But I never turned away from those who disagreed, and I stayed in the fight. That’s who I am. That’s everyday courage. If there was ever a place that needed everyday courage right now it’s Washington.”

Balint, 53, lives in Brattleboro with her wife and two children and represents Windham County in the Senate. Balint has earned degrees from Smith College, the School of Education at Harvard University, and, after teaching social studies for several years, a master’s degree in history from the University of Massachusetts.

— Gareth Henderson

New Vt. program aims to expand housing stock

The winter landscape as seen from River Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Vermont has launched a new program meant to increase housing units throughout the state. This effort comes amid an ongoing housing shortage in Vermont — an issue which has been emphasized by local and state officials during the pandemic. 

Announced this week, the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP) is designed to bring housing units back online by investing in existing, but under-utilized structures, the announcement said. VHIP builds upon past rental rehabilitation pilot programs that used modest public investment to revitalize housing in Vermont’s downtown areas, while helping renters and property owners who are most in need of assistance, according to the state.

The program, funded using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, will invest a total of $5 million into the state’s aging housing stock. VHIP will provide grants of up to $30,000 per unit with a 20% funding match required to bring code non-compliant units back into habitability. This round of grants is dedicated to units serving renters who are exiting homelessness, officials said.

“In addition to building new housing, VHIP will be critical for bringing housing that has fallen into disrepair back online, helping to provide more housing for the workforce, lifting people out of homelessness, and aiding in the transformational change we are seeking to create stronger communities,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a Wednesday statement.

Scott joined the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development and other statewide partners in launching the program. 

“Throughout the course of the pandemic many businesses received financial assistance, but one of the populations that has been overlooked is the mom-and-pop landlords across the state,” said Josh Hanford, the state’s commissioner of housing and community development. “We designed this program for the long run with the success of the landlord and the tenant in mind. With this program, you are creating permanent housing and improving neighborhoods.”

Shaun Gilpin, director of the state government’s housing division, said a major goal is to address the needs of the most vulnerable Vermonters.

“We have been working with Vermont’s five homeownership centers to create a new program that is based on successful models and improves upon past efforts to bring more housing on-line,” Gilpin said. 

VHIP partners include Champlain Housing Trust, Rural Edge, Downstreet Housing and Community Development, Windham and Windsor Housing Trust, and Neighborworks of Western Vermont.

For more information, click here.

— Gareth Henderson

Lt. Gov. Molly Gray running for U.S. House

The U.S. and Vermont flags flying in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson File Photo)

Vermont’s lieutenant governor has kicked off her campaign for the U.S. House. 

Lt. Gov. Molly Gray (D) announced her candidacy on Monday, about a week after U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) confirmed that he was running for the Senate seat to be vacated by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), who is not seeking reelection next year. If elected to the U.S. House, Gray would become the first woman to represent Vermont in Congress.

Gray, a native Vermonter, was sworn in as Vermont’s 82nd lieutenant governor in January 2020. In an interview with WCAX this week, Gray said she understands the issues facing Vermonters, which include a lack of affordable housing and the need for affordable health care and child care.

“I have the experience not only to be ready on day-one, to get an office open and off the ground and to get to work for Vermonters, but I have a deep understanding of the needs of our state, and I’ve served as lieutenant governor and I’ll continue to serve throughout the rest of my term,” Gray told WCAX on Monday. 

Gray, 37, is a former assistant attorney general for the state, and she grew up on her family’s farm in Newbury, Vermont. She attended college at the University of Vermont. After graduating from UVM, she helped elect Welch to Congress and worked for him as a Congressional aide in Washington, D.C. Gray would later spend three years working for the Red Cross engaging the U.S. on humanitarian issues. 

Her strong interest in human rights followed Gray back to her home state, where she attended Vermont Law School. She later helped launch the International Code of Conduct Association, the first global initiative mandated to oversee the human rights compliance of private security contractors.

Mike Smith to retire from agency leadership role

Following a long career in state government, Secretary Mike Smith will retire from the top job at the Vermont Agency of Human Services at the end of the year. 

This will cap Smith’s second stint leading the state’s largest agency. Over the past two years, Smith has been a central figure in the state’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic — including overseeing the state’s vaccination efforts. He was appointed to the agency’s secretary role in late 2019, coming out of retirement to take the familiar job. 

“I don’t think he knew what he was getting himself into, because within a month the pandemic began,” Gov. Phil Scott said at his regular Tuesday press conference. “I think back on how fortunate we were that his wife, Mary, allowed him to come back, because without him, I’m not sure we would have led the nation in so many categories, from testing, to vaccination and beyond.” 

At Tuesday’s briefing, Smith thanked the governor, his voice breaking with emotion as he offered the following words:

“As a former Navy SEAL, the height of compliment in leadership is when you say that you would go into battle with someone, and I would go into battle any day with the governor,” Smith said. 

In a Monday announcement from Scott’s office, Smith said though the pandemic kept him in his current role longer than expected, it was still tough to leave the job. 

“There will never be a good time to leave. When I told the Governor of my intention to retire this summer, I thought we would be well on our way toward the endemic phase of this public health crisis,” Smith said in the statement. “The Delta variant has made our jobs a bit more difficult, but nonetheless, we have testing and vaccination programs that are the envy of the rest of the country and we have protected many Vermonters from the more serious outcomes of this virus. … I am very proud of the work that the Agency has accomplished over the last two years, and I am confident the Agency will continue to thrive.”

Smith, who grew up in Woodstock, Vermont, served in the U.S. Navy, first with the Underwater Demolition Team 21 and then as a member of SEAL Team Two. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1977-78 and as deputy state treasurer from 1995-99. Smith also served as the secretary of the Agency of Administration and secretary of the Agency of Human Services in the administration of Gov. Jim Douglas.

Deputy Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson, who has played a key role in the state’s COVID-19 response, will serve as interim secretary following Smith’s departure.

In addition to its role in the pandemic response, the Agency of Human Services oversees six state departments (including the Department of Health), 12 district offices, and a network of community partners and providers.

— Gareth Henderson

Local broadband network gets huge funding boost

Utility lines along the edge of a field off Cox District Road in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

A local organization that’s been growing its broadband network in central Vermont for over a decade is getting a major funding boost to help its expansion.

ECFiber, a municipal organization operating in east-central Vermont, has secured $11.8 million in funding. That number includes $9 million from municipal bonds and $2.8 million in grant money through the Vermont Community Broadband Board. The majority of the bond money will fund construction of lines in Norwich, Woodstock, Wilder, White River Junction and Quechee, according to an ECFiber press release on Wednesday. Funding from the statewide Broadband Board will pay for expanding ECFiber’s network into eight new towns, which are Topsham, Newbury, Washington, Corinth, Bradford, West Fairlee, Fairlee, and Windsor.

Formed in 2008, ECFiber is a Vermont municipality akin to a water district and consists of 31 member towns, according to the funding announcement. Officially known as the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District, it has no taxing powers and has — since its transition to a communications union district in 2016 — been funded mainly by municipal bonds backed by customer payments for service, ECFiber officials said in the statement. 

“We are the model for how to make world-class broadband available to every home and business on the grid in rural Vermont, infrastructure that is essential to social and economic well-being,” said Board Chair F. X. Flinn. “Investors have shown their appreciation for the work we are doing by paying a premium for our existing debt and competing for our new debt. That said, we will continue to pursue the new grant funding aggressively as we go all out to complete the network.”

Federal money coming to help health care sector

Many Vermont health care providers are seeing an influx of federal cash to help weather the pandemic. 

This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began distributing nearly $46 million to 143 of Vermont’s rural medical providers and suppliers serving Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries. 

Awarded under the American Rescue Plan, this funding will provide much-needed relief for Vermont’s rural health care providers, who have struggled under the financial and operational challenges of the pandemic, according to a press release. Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch played a key role in securing this funding for Vermont, the announcement said. 

This money is part of $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan Rural payments being distributed nationwide. For more information about the funding, click here.

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont expanding home weatherization program

A mid-morning scene in Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In a bid to lower energy bills and boost energy efficiency, the state of Vermont is directing $7.9 million in federal relief money to home weatherization efforts. Officials say reducing greenhouse gas emissions is also part of the goal. 

This funding from the American Rescue Plan Act will expand the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, run by the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF). This program usually weatherizes between 800 to 1,000 homes each year, according to Vermont Gov. Phil Scott, who announced the news Wednesday. 

“This investment will allow more than 550 additional homes to be weatherized, helping create good weatherization jobs, reduce costs for Vermonters and help our planet,” Scott said in a statement. 

About $1.6 million of the additional funding will be used to provide “one-stop” comprehensive weatherization and efficiency improvements in multi-family housing, state officials confirmed. 

A household is eligible for no-cost weatherization services if their gross household income is below 80% of the median income in their area. A family of four with an annual income of about $67,000 would be eligible in most Vermont communities.

“Weatherization saves the Vermonters we serve about 35%, on average, on their home energy use,” said Sarah Phillips, director for the DCF Office of Economic Opportunity, in the Wednesday announcement. “That helps lower their energy bills, keeping money in their pockets for other necessities like food, clothing and medications.”

Priority for funding is given to households receiving seasonal fuel assistance; high-energy use homes; families with young children; older Vermonters; and people with disabilities.

Free weatherization services include energy audits with methods like blower door testing and infrared scans; energy renovations such as insulation, air sealing and heating system upgrades; health and safety improvements like addressing ventilation, carbon monoxide and unsafe heating issues; efficiency coaching; and referrals to other programs and services.

On average, the program makes about $8,500 worth of improvements per home, adds about 1,500 square feet of insulation and reduces drafts by about 40%, according to the state.

For more information, check out the program page on the DCF website.

— Gareth Henderson

US to lift land border restrictions for vaccinated travelers

The U.S. and Vermont flags in the mid-day sun. Vermont and other northern states have been advocating for the U.S. to allow non-essential travel from Canada for weeks. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

U.S. officials have announced plans to lift land border restrictions in November for fully vaccinated foreign nationals. All U.S.-bound travelers over land borders will have to show proof of vaccination before crossing. 

Current restrictions on non-essential travel have been in place since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Biden administration has come under increasing pressure from governors and other groups to allow non-essential land travel, citing pressure on commerce, citizens and the economy. 

In an announcement, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the administration next month "will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, including to visit friends and family or for tourism, via land and ferry border crossings."

In early January, as part of a two-phase approach to ease land border restrictions, proof of vaccination will also be required for all travelers entering the U.S. for essential reasons. “This approach will provide ample time for essential travelers such as truckers, students, and healthcare workers to get vaccinated,” Mayorkas explained.

For weeks, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has added his voice to the pressure from state officials, during a scheduled Tuesday call between governors and the White House. This week, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington State raised the question again during that Tuesday call. The White House started putting the word out about the announcement late Tuesday, though no precise November date was given for the change. 

In a statement, Scott said the border announcement was good news for many Vermont residents and communities. 

“Vermont and Canada are not just neighbors, our communities are linked by family, friends, social and cultural connections, natural resources, commerce and more,” Scott said. “Reopening the land border will allow our communities to reunite, after being separated for nearly two years.”

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, of Washington, echoed that sentiment, saying the change “will provide great relief to those waiting to see friends and loved ones from Canada,” according to Reuters.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, added, “Since the beginning of the pandemic, members of our shared cross-border community have felt the pain and economic hardship of the land border closures,” as quoted in The Buffalo News. “That pain is about to end.”

The exact date in early November for this major change in land travel restrictions will be coming “very soon”, Reuters reported, quoting a Biden administration official. Unvaccinated visitors will still be barred from crossing the U.S. land borders with Canada and Mexico. 

As for Canada-bound travelers, restrictions remain in place there as well. All travelers going into Canada must submit proof of vaccination and be tested for COVID-19 up to 72 hours before arrival. More information on Canada’s border-crossing restrictions, including the required testing, are at this link.

— Gareth Henderson

Vt. governor remembers WWII veteran Sidney Walton

An American flag in Woodstock Village on July 4, 2020. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In public remarks on Tuesday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott took some time to remember World War II veteran Sidney Walton, who famously embarked on his “No Regrets” tour in 2018 to raise awareness on veterans’ issues. 

Walton passed away on Saturday at age 102 in Santa Monica, California. A native of New York City, Walton was an Army infantryman who joined the military nine months before the attack on Pearl Harbor. In his nationwide tour, Walton’s goal was to visit all 50 governors in all 50 U.S. states, and it was two years ago that he traveled up to Vermont to meet Scott.

“I was the 24th governor he met back in November of 2019, and he met his 40th, Gov. (Kevin) Stitt in Oklahoma, just one week ago today,” Scott said at a Tuesday press conference. “As you know, while I have a great deal of respect for anyone who served our country, World War II veterans hold a special place for me, with my dad serving in the Third Army in France as a tanker under General Patton.” 

Scott said Walton’s passing shows how important it is to thank World War II veterans of the Greatest Generation “whenever you have the chance.” 

“Unfortunately, there aren’t many of them left, and they did more than we’ll ever fully know or appreciate. They literally saved the world and were the best of the best,” the governor said. “So again, whenever you’ve got the opportunity to thank someone who served, take it.” 

Seeing Walton’s dedication to his fellow veterans, he exemplified a lifetime of service, as so many veterans have. His tour drew national attention and gained more exposure for issues impacting those who have served in the armed forces. On his 99th birthday, Walton readily accepted when his son, Paul, came up with the idea for the tour. For years, Walton had told his children about one regret: how he passed up an opportunity in 1939 to meet a group of aging Civil War veterans who gathered at the World’s Fair in New York City, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

“I said, ‘How would you like to go on tour across the country, meet every governor in every state and meet people along the way and give each and every one of them an opportunity to meet a World War II veteran before it’s too late?’” Paul recalled in his interview with the Times. “He said, ‘Son, I’m up for that.’”

Paul Walton called his father’s tour “a symbol of unity” for the U.S., according to the Los Angeles Times. 

“This is not a Republican campaign, it’s not a Democrat campaign, it’s not an independent campaign,” he told the newspaper. “It’s an American campaign.”

— Gareth Henderson

Vermont seeking input on wildlife management

A Vermont buck observes its surroundings. (VF&W Photo by John Hall)

What do peregrine falcons, deer and bear have in common? They all share a natural habitat that’s at the center of a wildlife management effort in southern Vermont.

The state is developing a new long-range management plan for the Castleton Management Unit, which encompasses over 4,200 acres of land in the Birdseye and Blueberry Hill Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). This long-range plan serves as a guide for management of Agency of Natural Resources land, and typically lasts for 20 years. Currently, the state’s focus is hearing from Vermonters. 

“Soliciting input from the public is an important part of the management planning process, and it is a chance for us to hear from the public early in the process about how they use and what they value about these lands,” said Travis Hart, a state wildlife biologist involved with developing the plan, in a statement. 

Part of this early stage is an upcoming public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 29, to explain the proposal and gather input from Vermonters. The in-person meeting is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton, and the public can also share comments online. 

The Birdseye and Blueberry Hill WMAs are iconic in Vermont, forming a uniquely rugged set of mountains and valleys in a part of Vermont popular with outdoor enthusiasts.  In total, these WMAs span 4,285 acres of important wildlife habitat, including the geologically remarkable Birdseye WMA cliffs where peregrine falcons nest each spring.  These WMAs are popular destinations for deer, bear and upland bird hunters during the fall hunting seasons and turkey hunters in the spring.  Given the large size of these WMAs, people can also enjoy backcountry experiences with wildlife. 

The online survey will be open until Dec. 3. The same information to be presented at the Sept. 29 meeting is on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website, www.vtfishandwildlife.com.

The public will get another chance to weigh in after the first draft of the long-range plan is complete, officials said. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is administering the long-range planning process through the Fish and Wildlife Department, and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

— Gareth Henderson

Federal aid going out to Vt. towns and villages

A view from North Bridgewater Road in Bridgewater, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermont’s cities, towns and villages are receiving a new round of federal pandemic relief funds over the next several days, and some payments have already come through.

The money comes from the local fiscal recovery funds tied to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). From this funding, the state on Thursday disbursed another payment of $60.6 million to 276 eligible local governments, according to state officials. 

“These funds will play an important role for municipalities as we work to build stronger, more resilient communities,” Gov. Phil Scott said in a Thursday announcement. “In addition to the historic investments with state ARPA funds that I’ve proposed for climate change mitigation, housing, broadband, water and sewer infrastructure, and more, this municipal money can help strengthen support in these and other critical areas.”

This is the first of two rounds of funding for municipalities. In Woodstock, the town has received a check for $107,933, and the village is expecting a $44,911 payment, according to Municipal Manager William Kerbin. He said the town and village will receive the same amounts next year. The Village Trustees and Select Board held a recent joint meeting to discuss the funds, but that discussion was preliminary, Kerbin said, and no firm decisions have been reached on how to use the money. He expected another joint meeting in the next couple of months. 

Right now, municipalities are anticipating more guidance from the U.S. Treasury. 

“What we’re really waiting for is the final rule from the Treasury department to determine what we can use the funding for, the specific purposes and activities,” Kerbin said Thursday. 

On Aug. 5, Vermont received 50% of the $121 million of funds that the U.S. Treasury originally designated for distribution to the state’s 14 counties. The Treasury is required to distribute these funds to the states for distribution to local governments in two equal payments; the $60.6 million distributed Thursday represents the first round of payments. The county funds are distributed to eligible local governments based on the proportion of the municipality’s population to the county population, state officials explained. In separate funding, a total of $29 million was distributed to Vermont municipal governments in July.

The Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Vermont’s 11 regional planning commissions continue to assist cities, towns and villages with navigating federal rules related to this funding through webinars and multiple resources, including an ARPA resource webpage. For more information, visit https://finance.vermont.gov/covid-19-guidance.  

— Gareth Henderson

Helping those inside, and outside, our borders

(Gareth Henderson Photo)

It’s been an honor to recognize how Vermonters have helped each other, but today we’d like to highlight how the state has extended a helping hand to those from outside the Green Mountains. 

The state of Vermont is hoping to take in up to 100 refugees from Afghanistan who are fleeing the danger they face back home now that the Taliban are in power. A number of volunteers and businesses have reportedly offered to help refugees who end up settling in Vermont.

The last U.S. soldiers departed Afghanistan on Monday, following the collapse of the Afghan government in August and the Taliban’s rapid takeover. From Aug. 14 to 31, the U.S. evacuated more than 122,000 individuals from Kabul airport, including 6,000 U.S. citizens, according to news reports. Thirteen U.S. service members died in a suicide bombing at the airport on Aug. 26, while the evacuation effort was in its final days.

The U.S. is currently housing 20,000 Afghan evacuees in five states, with another 40,000 overseas. 

On Wednesday, the Vermont office of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants said it submitted a proposal to the State Department, WCAX reported. That came after Vermont Gov. Phil Scott recently told the White House his administration would like to help with the resettlement. 

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) released a statement of support on Wednesday. He noted, as the governor has, that a number of these refugees helped the U.S. during the Afghanistan War over the past two decades. 

“I am gratified that Vermont is volunteering to welcome and resettle one hundred Afghans who have fled their country in recent weeks,” Leahy said. “Many of these Afghans supported the U.S. military and our government over the past two decades, risking their lives and the safety of their families. Vermonters recognize that it is our moral obligation to provide them refuge from retaliation and persecution by the Taliban and other extremist groups in Afghanistan.”

He added, “Vermont has a long history of warmly welcoming refugees who have become an integral part of communities across our state. They have made Vermont stronger. It is fitting that Vermont is stepping up yet again to offer safe haven to vulnerable Afghans in their hour of need.” 

For some here in the Green Mountains, the current situation in Afghanistan is a personal, heartbreaking struggle to help family and friends escape the country. Vermont Public Radio spoke to Wazir, who is working to get his family out of Kabul (his last name was withheld for his family’s protection). Wazir left Afghanistan at age 16, went to college in Vermont and now runs a business in the state. Like others who have settled here and made their home in Vermont, he is part of our community, and now, he faces the challenge of helping his family come here so they, too, can experience a new sense of security and success.

Many are working and praying to help people like Wazir’s family and others who seek refuge and a new life outside Afghanistan. We hope these kind, steadfast efforts help them find a path to safety and fulfillment, despite current obstacles. We hope the love being expressed to them from afar helps build the path to freedom they earnestly seek.

— Gareth Henderson

Permanent increase coming for US food aid program

The setting sun in West Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

As of Oct. 1, low-income Americans relying on monthly food assistance from the federal government will see a permanent increase in the funding.

Officials recently announced a 27% increase in grocery benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), media reports stated. About 42 million people currently receive SNAP benefits, and the change will impact about 70,000 Vermonters, according to Vermont Public Radio.

Anore Horton, the director of Hunger Free Vermont, said an increase has been needed for a long time.

"Advocates across the country have been saying for years and years and years SNAP benefits are inadequate; they have no relationship to the real cost of food," Horton told VPR. "And this is, while not a complete step toward fixing that, a very significant and important one."

This announcement comes as a temporary 15% increase in these benefits is set to expire next month.

The upcoming 27% increase will add, on an average per-person basis, about $36 per month to the pre-pandemic monthly amount of about $121 per person, according to CBS News.

The SNAP benefits were recently recalculated based on a program-wide assessment that Congress requested in 2018. The reassessment found that the benefits were too low, officials said.

Speaking to the media earlier this week, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the adjustments to the program are responding to higher food prices, evolving nutritional guidance, and changes in how Americans cook.

"We need to modernize those assumptions based on what is happening in kitchens and homes across America," Vilsack said.

— Gareth Henderson