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Johnson resident urges committee to help restore grocery access, outlines FEMA buyout impacts
Summary
A Johnson, Vt., community leader described repeated flood damage, a recent grocery reopening with limited capacity, and a FEMA buyout of more than a dozen properties as part of a larger local revitalization conversation during the Agriculture Committee hearing.
A guest from Johnson, Vermont, told the House Agriculture, Food Resiliency & Forestry Committee that repeated flooding has eroded the town’s retail and food infrastructure and urged support for community revitalization that includes grocery access and climate‑resilient planning.
“We just had a small general store open up, but it doesn't have square footage to be an actual grocery store,” the guest, Morin, said. She described efforts to re‑establish a viable local food economy, including a newly opened general store offering ready‑to‑eat meals and specialty items.
Morin said Johnson has “been flooded out too many times” and identified several local assets — the Long Trail, a rail trail, the Vermont Studio Center and a nearby college campus — that could support tourism and economic renewal. She asked for investment in a hostel, a grocery store and more restaurants to bring visitors and support local food producers.
On FEMA buyouts, Morin said the town has identified “over 13 properties between Sterling Market and Housing” that will be converted to green space under buyout plans. She described the buyouts and repeated flooding as part of a complex set of challenges facing Johnson and said the community is working on a vision to use the newly available land for parks and public enjoyment while acknowledging limits on permanent development in buyout areas.
Committee members asked clarifying questions; no formal action or committee vote occurred on the community requests recorded in the hearing.
