Municipal Planning Grant

Municipal Planning Grant is sponsored by Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Supports local municipalities in Vermont with planning and revitalization initiatives that align with statewide goals.

Municipal Planning Grant | Agency of Commerce and Community Development Planning Your Town’s Future Community Investment Program (CIP) Downtown Sales Tax Reallocation Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) CDBG Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Downtown and Village Center Tax Credits Downtown Sales Tax Reallocation Federal Rehabilitation Investment Tax Credits Downtown Transportation Fund Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grant Program Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) Bylaw Modernization Grants Housing Funders Roundtable Events, Training and Workshops Designation 2050: Design the Future of Vermont The Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) program encourages and supports planning and revitalization for local municipalities in Vermont.

Awarded annually and administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, the MPG program works to strengthen Vermont by funding local planning initiatives that support statewide planning goals. Since 1998, the MPG program has provided over $17 million to 243 cities and towns across Vermont to help breathe new life into communities, plan for future growth and development, and improve the quality of life.

See our MPG Program Annual Report (PDF) for more information Accessibility Notice : Documents on this page required to comply with Federal Accessibility Standards are in the process of being updated. Certain documents are exempt from the regulation . To request an accessible version, please contact accd.

cpr@vermont. gov . FY27 Application/Grant - Important Dates Below October 1, 2026 - Application Opens December 2, 2026 at 6 p.

m. - Application Due December - Award Decisions January 1, 2027 - Grant Term Starts December 31, 2028 - Grant Term Ends January 31, 2029 - Grant Closeout Due Information about the most recent grant recipients can be found on our list of FY26 Municipal Planning Grant Recipients . (PDF) For information about all previously funded grants see the complete list of projects funded since 1998 .

(xls) The 2026 Vermont Planning & Community Investment Survey Results (PDF) - T he Division of Community Planning + Revitalization in the Department of Housing & Community Development produces a survey on Vermont planning and development topics every three years, including an evaluation of the Municipal Planning Grant program.

These results report on stakeholders’ planning and development priorities and help the Department of Housing & Community Development evaluate the Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) program for updates. The Department thanks participants for their time as we continuously work to improve policies, programs, and projects that support Vermont.

All the documents, and reference materials needed to successfully apply for a Municipal Planning Grant. 2027 Program Description (PDF) - A helpful guide to understand the Municipal Planning Grant program. 2027 Application Guide (DOC) - An application guide, that allows you to prepare your responses offline, review scoring criteria, and get helpful tips.

Rural Towns List (PDF) - A list of towns eligible to have the Regional Planning Commission serve as an agent of the town for the MPG. Very Small Town List (PDF) - A list of towns with 1,000 residents or fewer, who will have no match requirement for Municipal Plans / Bylaws in towns that do not currently have them.

MPG Map of Awards (PDF) - This map represents all Municipal Planning Grant award distribution throughout the State in the past five years. Accessing and Using GEARS Legacy GEARS - The legacy version of GEARS hosts all Municipal Planning Grants from 2024, and earlier. GEARS-IGX - GEARS-IGX, is the newest version of GEARS, and hosts Municipal Planning Grants from 2025, 2026, 2027 and future rounds.

MPG Roles (PDF) - List of roles used in the GEARS system, and who at the municipality may hold them. We strongly recommend designating two individuals for the Municipal/Authorizing Official (M/AO) role and designating a grant administrator. 2027 GEARS Online Application Instructions (PDF) - A helpful resource to guide you through the screens, steps, and submission process on the GEARS-IGX online grants management system.

2027 Application Training Recording - Coming Soon. Required Additional Application Forms Municipal Resolution - This document must be completed, signed by a majority of the City Council / Selectboard, and submitted with a MPG application. Certificate of Good Standing - A self-certification that the applicant is in Good Standing with the Agency of Natural Resources and the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets.

This is a required part of the application. All the documents, and reference materials needed to successfully administer a Municipal Planning Grant. Grant Administrator Guides 2027 Grant Administrator Guide (PDF) - A short guide to help you administer your 2027 MPG.

This document covers how to accept the grant award, and sign the grant agreement, how to request requisitions, and the closeout process. 2026 Grant Administrator Guide (PDF) - A short guide to help you administer your 2026 MPG. This document covers how to accept the grant award, and sign the grant agreement, how to request requisitions, and the closeout process.

2025 Grant Administrator Guide (PDF) - A short guide to help you administer your 2025 MPG. This document covers how to accept the grant award, and sign the grant agreement, how to request requisitions, and the closeout process. 2024 Grant Administrator Guide(PDF) - A short guide to help you administer your 2024 MPG.

This document covers how to accept the grant award, and sign the grant agreement, how to request requisitions, and the closeout process. Procurement Requirements (PDF) - Rules for for selecting a consultant and obtaining other services using the grant, including provisions for hiring regional planning commissions.

Directory of Consultants (xls) - Provides a list of planning consultants (updated for 2023) that you may want to reach out to for help implementing these grants. Please note that this is simply a list of consultants and does not represent an endorsement from DHCD. Sample RFP(PDF) - Request for Proposals template.

Sample RFP(word) - Request for Proposals template. Sample RFQ(PDF) - Request for Qualifications template. Sample RFQ(word) - Request for Qualifications template.

Sample Consultant Contract(word) - Consultant contract template. Amended Municipal Resolution Form (PDF) - Designate new municipal officials to manage your grant. Sample Press Release (word) - Can be used as a template when reporting your grant funding to local news organizations.

Grant Closeout Information The following information and documents are due when closing the Municipal Planning Grant. All information and documents must be uploaded into GEARS. Final Report - The final report is found in GEARS, and is completed online.

Final Product - Copies of any final products as outlined in Attachment A of the grant agreement, must be uploaded into GEARS. All final products must include evidence that the Municipal Planning Grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, is credited for funding on the product itself. Financial Information - The following financial information is required to be submitted.

Summary Ledger - The summary ledger serves as the cover sheet for all invoices/receipts, and is used to accurately maintain financial records throughout the grant term.

Invoices and Receipts - Copies of invoices and receipts for all project expenditures, including match funds, and one of the following: Copies of all canceled checks; or Detailed transaction report, which includes vendor name, date of payment, amount of payment, check number, and the report must be signed and certified by the treasurer as true and accurate.

Canceled checks, or the detailed transaction report must demonstrate that all invoices have been paid by the municipality. GIS Work - If GIS work was done with grant funds, and if new data layers were created, please confer with the consultant and have them submit the new data layers via the online intake form.