Governor Shumlin announces Disaster Recovery Grants

$1.5 million will help communities and businesses rebuild

Montpelier, Vermont - Flood-impacted communities throughout the state will take the next steps on the road to recovery with the help of awards announced today by Gov. Peter Shumlin.

“While Vermonters provide support and assistance to our neighbors reeling from Hurricane Sandy, recovery work in our own state continues,” said the Governor.  “This funding will make housing safer, businesses stronger and help restore critical community infrastructure impacted by Tropical Storm Irene or the flooding earlier in 2011. We greatly appreciate the work of our congressional delegation, led by Senator Patrick Leahy, to bring these recovery resources to Vermont.”

The awards will assist the Town of Johnson bring a grocery store back to the community, the Brattleboro Housing Authority identify safer locations for housing flooded by Irene, and the Town of Waterbury site and design a new municipal office complex.  In addition, The Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation, Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation and Central Vermont Community Action Council have joined forces to use $1 million for grants and loans targeted to businesses still struggling to pay for damages or losses.


Today’s announcement represents the first round of funding made available from $21.7 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds allocated to the state from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development following Tropical Storm Irene.  The awards are based on funding recommendations made by the Vermont Community Development Board and approval of Secretary of Commerce and Community Development Lawrence Miller.

“These awards result from the work of many hands,” said Secretary Miller.  “They would not be possible without the tireless efforts of applicants to bring needed resources to their communities, the commitment of our agency staff to implement the program efficiently and effectively and the thoughtful deliberations of the members of the VCDP board.  With their help, we look forward to making additional awards in the months ahead and putting this funding to work helping Vermonters.”

More information on the CDBG Disaster Recovery is available at http://accd.vermont.gov/strong_communities