The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) has launched CHIP – Invest in Vermont (CHIP IN VT), a three-year initiative designed to help municipalities use Vermont’s new Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP).
CHIP is an innovative financing program that has potential to help communities fund the infrastructure improvements they need to support new housing — without raising broad based property taxes. While CHIP creates new opportunities, implementing it will require more staff hours and technical expertise than many of Vermont’s towns, cities, and villages have. VLCT has designed CHIP IN VT to help close this capacity gap by providing local governments with practical training, tools, and ongoing technical assistance.
“Communities across Vermont are ready to address housing needs, but infrastructure costs and limited local capacity often stand in the way,” said Ted Brady, Executive Director of VLCT. “CHIP IN VT will give local leaders the knowledge, resources, and confidence they need to make good use of the funding opportunities that the legislature made possible with CHIP.”
CHIP IN VT offers learning pathways tailored to meet the specific situations of interested municipalities. Local officials will have access to educational sessions, cohort-based learning opportunities, and technical assistance in addition to a growing library of tools, templates, and guidance. Over time, participants will build the skills and relationships needed to evaluate project feasibility, prepare strong CHIP applications, and manage the long-term responsibilities that CHIP requires.
“Local officials are juggling many priorities, and complex financing programs can feel overwhelming,” said Katie Buckley, Director of Municipal Operations Support at VLCT. “CHIP IN VT is designed to make CHIP easier for communities of all sizes to use – so they can take advantage of this historic opportunity to grow their housing supply.”
By strengthening municipal workforce capacity, CHIP IN VT aims to accelerate infrastructure investments that not only make housing development possible but also support economic growth and help communities plan for long-term sustainability.
Learn more about CHIP IN VT at vlct.org/CHIP. Learn more about Vermont’s Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) at accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/vepc/chip.
CHIP IN VT is an effort funded by a $500,000 (70%) grant from the Northern Borders Regional Commission, a $200,000 (28%) grant from the State of Vermont Agency of Administration and a $10,000 (2%) contribution from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns.
Without this funding VLCT would not be able to offer this assistance to its membership which consists of towns, cities, villages, counties, housing authorities, solid waste districts, fire districts, regional planning agencies, communications union districts, and other political subdivisions of the State of Vermont.