Upcoming Events

CVRPC Municipal Sessions: River Corridor Planning & Vermont's Flood Safety Act

Join the Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission (CVRPC), Lake Champlain Sea Grant, and The Nature Conservancy to learn about River Corridor Planning and Vermont's Flood Safety Act.

Background information in italics (provided by The Nature Conservancy and Lake Champlain Sea Grant):

The Flood Safety Act (Act 121) was passed by the VT Legislature in 2024. The Act addresses flooding in multiple ways by limiting new development in river corridors, strategically removing derelict dams, and increasing wetlands to store excess flood water. Most importantly, it is a crucial step toward preventing further loss of life and property in future storms. In anticipation of upcoming changes at the state level regarding river corridor regulations, The Nature Conservancy has partnered with Lake Champlain Sea Grant, in support of the VT Department of Environmental Conservation, to conduct outreach to municipalities about the Flood Safety Act. Our aim is to help towns and community members understand the details and timeline for implementation of statewide river corridor regulations and answer questions related to the Flood Safety Act.

CVRPC is available to help municipalities get ready for the implementation of the Flood Safety Act. Our staff can review municipal bylaws to ensure they meet new state regulations, comply with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) standards, and qualify for the highest levels of disaster relief funding. This planning support is an important step in helping your community prepare for future floods. To learn more, join us at one or both of the upcoming sessions.

CVRPC Board of Commissioner's Meeting

Lake Champlain Sea Grant & The Nature Conservancy: Presentation & Q&A

Date: 14 October 2025 | Time: 6:35 PM - 7:00 PM

In person: CVRPC Office 29 Main Street, Suite 4 Montpelier, VT 05602

Online: via Zoom link on Meeting Agenda

CVRPC Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting

Lake Champlain Sea Grant & The Nature Conservancy: Presentation, Q&A, Municipal Workshop

Date 13 November 2025 | Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

In person: CVRPC Office, 29 Main Street, Suite 4 Montpelier, VT 05602

Online: via Zoom link on Meeting Agenda

Registration required by 10/31/25

Can't make either session or want to learn more?

• Contact the Lake Champlain Sea Grant at Alison.Spasyk@uvm.edu to schedule a presentation in your community
• Schedule an individual municipal consultation with CVRPC staff for technical assistance

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lincoln Frasca at frasca@cvregion.com   

Community News

Job Announcement: Office Manager

CVRPC is looking for a full-time office manager to join our team of dedicated professionals in a public service organization. The strongest candidates will have experience with public entities and business management processes such as employee benefits, insurance, contracts, grants, payables, receivables, record keeping systems, and public meeting coordination. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite and SharePoint required, and QuickBooks preferred. The salary range for this position is $49,000 to $67,000    dependent on qualifications. A review of applications will begin October 27, 2025. Further details and job description available at: https://centralvtplanning.org/news/job-postings/ 

Regional Project Prioritization - Deadline October 15th

Each year, CVEDC compiles a Regional Project Prioritization (RPP) list to highlight the most critical economic development projects in our region. This list is used by federal, state, regional, and local partners to better understand funding needs and to connect projects with potential funding opportunities.

Projects considered for inclusion may:

· Support business retention and expansion

· Encourage job creation and workforce development

· Expand access to high-speed broadband

· Implement innovative economic development practices

From these submissions, the top ten projects in Central Vermont will move forward to a consolidated statewide list.

Click here to learn more about the submission process

If you have any questions or would like help with applications, please reach out to CVRPC at toohey@cvregion.com (Eli Toohey) or CVEDC at hhurlbert@centralvermont.org (Heather Hurlbert) 

CVRPC & Regional Future Land Use Map

CVRPC staff have met with 18 of the 23 towns in the Central Vermont region to discuss the development of a Regional Future Land Use Map. Meetings with Select Boards and Planning Commissions have focused on the new tier-based framework outlined in Act 181, the statewide mapping approach, and opportunities for local input. Larger towns are exploring Tier 1A and 1B designations to support residential and mixed-use growth near existing centers, while smaller, more rural towns have shared concerns about how Tier 3 designations and the road rule may affect them. Staff are continuing to refine the map and expect to release a draft for public comment in late November.

Grants & Funding Opportunities

FY26 Transportation Alternatives Program

VTrans is now accepting applications for the FY26 Transportation Alternatives Program. Applications are due November 7, 2025 and details about the program can be found here: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/local-projects/transport-alt. If you are interested in applying please contact Reuben @ macmartin@cvregion.com 

FY 26 Better Connections Grants Program

VTrans is now accepting applications for the FY26 Better Connections Grant Program. Pre-application interviews are due by October 24, 2025 and applications are due October 31, 2025. Details about the program can be found here: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/projects-programs/better-connections. If you are interested in applying please contact Reuben @ macmartin@cvregion.com 

FY26 Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program

VTrans is now accepting applications for the FY26 Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program. Applications are due November 7, 2025 and details about the program can be found here: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/Municipal-Highway-and-Stormwater-Mitigation-Program. If you are interested in applying please contact VTrans is now accepting applications for the FY26 Municipal Highway and Stormwater Mitigation Program. Applications are due November 7, 2025 and details about the program can be found here: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/highway/Municipal-Highway-and-Stormwater-Mitigation-Program. If you are interested in applying please contact Reuben @ macmartin@cvregion.com

Building Communities Grants

Applications are now open for the Building Communities' Grants Program, administered by the Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS). These grants of up to $25,000 support construction and capital improvements to strengthen Vermont towns and regions.

This year's application deadline is November 10, 2025, and grants will be awarded in December. For more information on these and other grant opportunities, please visit the website at thttps://bgs.vermont.gov/commissioner/building-communities-grants

Municipal Planning Grants

Municipal Planning Grants are here to help Vermont’s cities, towns, and villages adapt to change and shape their future!

This flexible state funding supports planning and resilience projects of all kinds, from capital plans for climate-ready infrastructure to bylaw updates that welcome new homes and neighbors.

📅 Apply by November 3, 2025

👉https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/municipal-planning-grant

This 2026 Program Description provides an overview of the grant program including the purpose, available funding, competitive criteria, and this year's grant priorities. 

Funding Opportunities

• Vermont Arts Council is accepting applications for Creative Aging Grants. Deadline: Friday, October 17, 2025.

• Vermont Community Foundation is accepting applications for its Nonprofit Capacity Building grant program. Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025.

• Vermont Community Foundation is accepting applications for its Special and Urgent Needs grant program. Deadline: Friday, November 14, 2025.

• Efficiency Vermont is offering Enhanced Rebates for Nonprofits. Deadline: Rolling, through Wednesday, December 30, 2026.

• Vermont Historical Society and the Lost Mural Project are offering Community Immigration History Grants. Deadline: Rolling, through Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

• Ben and Jerry's Foundation is accepting applications for its Vermont Community Action Team grant program. Deadline: Rolling.

• Vermont Humanities is offering Rapid Response Grants. Deadline: Rolling.