Program Overview
In 2022, the Vermont Legislature appropriated $40,000,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) for the Community Recovery and Revitalization Program (CRRP).
The CRRP will provide recovery funding for projects that spur economic recovery and revitalization to mitigate the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 in communities across the state. Eligible uses for these funds include the development of affordable housing, improvements to or new construction of childcare facilities, projects for nonprofits and small businesses in impacted industries*, and municipal water supply and wastewater projects. These recovery funds are intended to retain and expand existing businesses and nonprofit organizations with a preference for projects located in regions and communities with declining or stagnant grand list values. More details about project eligibility can be found at the links at the bottom of this page.
*Impacted Industries are for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the following sectors:
- Agriculture
- Educational Services
- Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation
- Accommodation & Food Services
Application Priority Process
For the first 30 days, as part of the State of Vermont's commitment to build on local, state, and national efforts to advance equity, and increase meaningful inclusion representation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities, ACCD will prioritize applications from BIPOC organizations and organizations that primarily serve BIPOC populations.
ACCD will also prioritize the review of applications from non-metropolitan statistical areas (non-MSAs) in the first 30 days. Non-MSA communities are located in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties.
Project Eligibility
A number of projects are eligible for funding within the CRRP. These include:
- Projects located in Qualified Census Tracts (QCT).
- To determine whether a project is located in a QCT:
- Enter the project address into this QCT eligibility tool and locate the QCT number; OR
- If you already know it, reference your QCT number on this QCT list.
- To determine whether a project is located in a QCT:
- Projects related to reopening assistance or business expansion within an Impacted Industry.
- Development of affordable housing projects that serve low to moderate income families.
- Childcare projects that expand or create new opportunities to serve low to moderate income families.
- Municipal wastewater and water supply projects.
The Summary Table below broadly details the eligible applicants and their proposed uses of CRRP funds.
Summary Table of Eligible Uses
Affordable Housing | Impacted Industries* | Childcare | Qualified Census Tracts | Municipalities |
---|---|---|---|---|
Affordable housing development | Aid for safe reopening | Improvements to or new construction of childcare, daycare, and early learning facilities | Small businesses can rehabilitate commercial properties as well as undertake storefront & façade improvements | Wastewater |
Aid for planned expansion delayed due to pandemic | Small business expansion costs | Water Supply |
Please note: Applications from the following entities are ineligible for CRRP:
- Any for-profit business, that together with any affiliated business, owns or operates more than 20 locations, regardless of whether those locations do business under the same name or within the same industry;
- A publicly traded company
Award Calculation
- Awards will not exceed the lesser of $1,000,000 or 20% of total project cost and will be calculated based on the merit of the application.
- The merit of the application will be determined based on the following considerations:
- Project readiness (i.e., needs the funds now to complete the project)
- Other sources of funding (including availability and eligibility of other sources of funding)
- Statement of need for project and impact (e.g., number of childcare slots, housing units, business development, etc.)
- Review of applicant need: balance sheet, tax returns, sources and uses statement
- Evidence of good standing with the Vermont Secretary of State
- Community and regional support for the project
- Creation and retention of workforce activities
- Applicants that have received a Capital Investment Program (CIP) award must also factor CIP into their total CRRP award calculation. The combined CIP and CRRP award cannot exceed the lesser of 20% of total project cost or $1,000,000 (i.e. the award limit takes into account both CIP and CRRP programs).
- Applicants will be asked to disclose prior accepted Federal or State recovery assistance (i.e. Paycheck Protection Program loans, or State Emergency Recovery Grants) in an effort to avoid duplication of benefits uses.
APPLICATION OPENING SOON
For support please email: ACCD.CRRP@vermont.gov
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Additional project eligibility and application details for for-profit, nonprofit, and municipal applicants are outlined at the links below and should be reviewed closely prior to starting the application.