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House Commerce Committee backs $500,000 bridge for regional technical assistance, flags several targeted funding increases
Summary
The Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development agreed Feb. 24 to recommend a $500,000 "bridge" for regional technical assistance (MTAP) and to support targeted increases for micro-business supports, financial coaching and tax-preparation (VITA) programs in its budget letter, while urging use of available reversion dollars and further specification of program delivery.
The Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on Feb. 24 recommended that its budget letter support a $500,000 “bridge” to sustain regional technical-assistance services for small towns and to preserve momentum for the MTAP pilot program.
Denise Smith, executive director (testifying about MTAP), told the committee the program helped communities access grants and technical services and that funding would be used to convene providers and distribute flexible grants to municipalities. “What we're asking for is $500,000 this year for the continued momentum of MTAP,” Smith said, adding that most of the money would go directly to communities through a grant program administered by DHCD or a state agency.
Why it matters: Committee members described MTAP as a stopgap that preserves capacity for small communities while the Legislature considers a longer-term, integrated approach to regional technical assistance. The committee asked that any bridge funding include clear language directing collaboration with regional planning…
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