Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP)
The Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) was created in early 2023 by the Legislature and is intended to provide appropriate technical assistance to communities with a high need for state and federal grants but lower capacity for accessing and applying for those sources. The Vermont Community Index (VCI) was developed to provide a metric of the needs of communities across the state, with any municipalities in or above the 50th percentile of the Vermont Community Index or in the 25-50th percentile and “significantly” impacted by the July flooding being pre-approved for certain elements of the technical assistance.
The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission applied for this funding on behalf of all Regional Planning Commissions (RPCs) and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and will act as grant administrator through the program.
Funding was available to RPCs and the Vermont League of Cities and Towns to work with pre-approved towns and municipalities to assess potential eligible projects (below), find funding, apply to grants, and manage grants. The funding alleviated the cost-burden to towns and municipalities for hiring their RPC to help with eligible projects and activities.
Eligible project types and activities include:
- Water supply and wastewater infrastructure;
- Housing;
- Community recovery, workforce development, and business support;
- Climate change mitigation and resilience; and
- Other community economic development projects identified by a municipality and approved by the State.
Pre-approved status does not guarantee assistance with grant identification and application if the project under consideration is not on the list of eligible project types and activities above.
RPCs initially reached out to each of their pre-approved towns to initiate discussion of the Municipal Technical Assistance Program to determine interest and whether the town may have eligible projects or activities.
MTAP funding has been obligated and no new technical assistance opportunities are being considered. If you represent a town and would like to know what services TRORC may be able provide outside of the Municipal Technical Assistance Program, please reach out to a member of our staff.
More information about RPCs and links to their websites, can be found on the Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies website.
Municipal Technical Assistance Program Links and Documents
State of Vermont Municipal Technical Assistance Program webpage
Pre-approved towns and municipalities
A list of towns and municipalities pre-approved for Municipal Technical Assistance funding.
Vermont Community Index – User Guide
Vermont Communities Index – Technical Documentation
Vermont Communities Index – Results Workbook
The Agency of Administration, in coordination with Guidehouse, created the Vermont Community Index (VCI) to evaluate the technical need of municipalities within the state.
TRORC Staff Contact:
Sydney Steinle, Planner
[email protected] – 802-457-3188 ext. 3006