VHCB tells Senate committee capital funds deliver long-term housing and water-quality gains

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board told the Senate Institutions Committee on March 12 that capital-bill investments produce long-lived public benefits by combining housing, conservation and water-quality work.

“For the record, Im Gus Seelig. Im the Executive Director for the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board,” Seelig said, framing VHCBas an agency that aims to deliver multiple public benefits. He highlighted a 150-acre Morristown property where eight former vacation rentals will be converted to permanently affordable year-round homes while the land is conserved to protect the Winooski River.

Liz Gleason, who manages VHCBFarm and Forest Viability Program and the Rural Economic Development Initiative, described how the boardtargets working lands and small businesses. She said the programhas helped businesses grow: 71% of participating firms grew in the year after completing the program, 80% added jobs, and average sales…