Vermont officials have announced that $3.6 million is available in grants for municipalities to upgrade their wastewater pretreatment facilities and capacity management.
The state is providing the grants through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Any municipality in the state can by July 21, 2023.
“Investing in municipal wastewater infrastructure opens up opportunities for future community development and encourages industry innovation,” said Vermont Governor Phil Scott. “ARPA funding continues to have significant impacts throughout Vermont, for residents, municipalities, and businesses.”
The funding can help municipalities with the following projects:
- Create and conduct a survey of industrial users,
- Develop local pollution limits for industries and businesses,
- Improve a sewer use ordinance, and/or
- Partner with a private entity in Vermont to improve wastewater pretreatment facilities.
A private entity, to qualify, must partner with their local municipality. A private entity can be a business, non-profit organization, or other industrial wastewater producer.
“We received applications for a wide variety of projects in the first round of ARPA funding,” said DEC Environmental Analyst Ashley Hellman. “This funding provides an exciting opportunity for many different types of private entities, including breweries, metal finishers, and dairies.”
The Department has already allocated $2.8 million to five businesses and two municipalities throughout the state. DEC expects to contact selected applicants for this second round of funding by September 29, 2023.
More information about the funding is available online here. Interested organizations can also contact Ashley Hellman at 802-522-9721 or [email protected]. If Ashley Hellman is not available, contact Nick Giannetti at 802-490-6186 or [email protected].
