Vermont Governor Phil Scott resumes weekly briefings, requests $3 million for rural infrastructure.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott has resumed holding weekly briefings to discuss a proposal to help rural communities. The proposal, a $3 million Rural Infrastructure Assistance Program, is being included in a Budget Adjustment bill. This program would help small communities access and manage grants and funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA. The Agency of Administration Deputy Secretary Douglas Farnham said the program has been proposed in the Budget Adjustment because there is a “high degree of urgency” and they cannot wait for the general budget bill to be passed at the end of the session.
The program is designed to provide technical assistance to communities that need it the most. Eligible projects include water quality infrastructure, housing development, community recovery, workforce development and business supports, and climate change mitigation. Governor Scott also expressed support for legalization of sports betting this session.
At the briefing, Governor Scott was asked a number of questions about activity in the legislature, including a proposed law to shield abortion providers and patients from out-of-state litigation. Scott said he isn’t familiar with the specifics but supports the concept. He also expressed support for the legalization of sports betting this session.
The Rural Infrastructure Assistance Program is an important step in helping Vermont’s rural communities access and manage grants and funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA. This program will provide technical assistance to communities that need it the most, and will help them access funding for projects such as water quality infrastructure, housing development, community recovery, workforce development and business supports, and climate change mitigation. Governor Scott has also expressed his support for the proposal and other initiatives such as the legalization of sports betting. This is an important step in helping Vermont’s rural communities access the resources they need to thrive.
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