Before a CHIP project can advance into formal application and approval, municipalities need a clear roadmap for the early-stage work that sets up a project for success. This webinar will walk you through the full pre-development workflow – what needs to happen, when, and why – and highlight the tools, templates, and technical assistance available to help your community navigate this phase with confidence.
This session will describe:
- What pre-development is and why it matters
- How to identify and screen potential CHIP eligible projects
- Key roles and responsibilities for the municipality’s project team
- What data, analyses, and documentation are needed in early stages
- How to evaluate financial feasibility and understand the project’s funding gap
- Requirements for defining a project area and ensuring statutory compliance
- Early community engagement and stakeholder alignment
Pre-development is when municipalities can reduce risk, strengthen project feasibility, and ensure alignment with local goals and CHIP program requirements. This session will help you build a strong foundation before moving into the formal CHIP application process.
Presenters:
Katie Buckley, Director of Municipal Operations Support, VLCT
Bonnie Waninger, Project & Funding Specialist, VLCT
Alex Armani-Munn, Executive Director, Addison County Economic Development Corporation
Samantha Dunn, Founder and Principal, All at Once, LLC
Shannon Barsotti, Assistant Town Manager and Community Development Director, Town of Bennington
Recording & Session Materials
PowerPoint Presentation Slides
If you haven’t heard of “CHIP,” now is the time to learn about the new Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP). It is the largest investment in municipal infrastructure in the state’s history - $2 billion over the next 10 years – and it is available to all municipalities! In this kickoff session, you will learn the high-level basics of what CHIP is and discover how you might use this new financing tool to build the infrastructure to support the creation of new housing in your community. This session will provide a clear overview of CHIP, including:
- How the program works and what makes it different from traditional funding tools
- Eligibility requirements and key guardrails to ensure responsible implementation
- The timeline and expectations for program launch
- VLCT’s upcoming 3-year CHIP technical assistance program - “CHIP IN VT” (CHIP Invest in Vermont”)
Whether you’re a town manager or administrator, selectboard member, lister, assessor, treasurer, or local or regional planning or development staff, this session will help you understand what CHIP is and how it can be a game-changer for communities of all sizes. Following the presentation, you’ll have the chance to ask questions and learn from others across Vermont.
Presenters:
Katie Buckley, Director Municipal Operations Support Team, VLCT
Bonnie Waninger, Project & Funding Specialist, VLCT
Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, VLCT
Jessica Hartleben, Executive Director, Vermont Economic Progress Council