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Senate committee hears Act 181 evaluation of rural technical assistance; VCRD seeks $500,000 for a coordinated pilot
Summary
The Senate Committee on Government Operations heard findings from an Act 181 evaluation that found technical assistance for Vermont’s small towns is fragmented and capacity‑constrained. The Vermont Council on Rural Development asked lawmakers to fund a $500,000 FY27 pilot to provide coordinated technical assistance, customized resource teams and direct grants.
The Senate Committee on Government Operations on Friday heard the results of an Act 181 evaluation that found technical assistance for Vermont’s rural municipalities is fragmented, short‑term and difficult for small towns to navigate. Jessica Savage, director of programs and strategic initiatives at the Vermont Council on Rural Development, asked the committee to consider a $500,000 appropriation in FY27 to staff a coordinated technical‑assistance program that would combine backbone administrative support, customized resource teams and predominantly direct funding to towns.
The request and report are the product of a multi‑partner steering committee and statewide outreach that included regional listening sessions, 195 survey responses and comparative interviews with officials in other states, presenters said. Gary Holloway, who identified himself as downtown program manager with the Department of Housing and…
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