HARDWICK – Town officials have their eye on a portion of the $68 million in federal recovery
funding applications Vermont officials are now accepting. Pre-applications for one mitigation project and one planning project were being prepared by town officials to be submitted yesterday.
After learning that the application window was opening, Hardwick coordinated with the state last week, said Kristen Leahy in her role as the town’s resilience and adaptation coordinator.
“Last week, we met with state representatives to confirm alignment and support for our intended applications ahead of the submission deadline. This meeting served as a final coordination step,” she said.
In parallel, Tracy Martin, Hardwick community development coordinator, identified funding and secured a grant writer to assist with preparation of the materials.
More information will be available after the applications have been submitted,” she said.
The applications being submitted by Hardwick will be for a share of the $13.6 million allocated to all Vermont towns outside Washington and Lamoille counties.
Despite millions of dollars of 2023 and 2024 losses following flood events, and the need for funding to meet recommended needs to prepare Hardwick for future weather events, the town has not been classified as “most impacted,” and won’t qualify for the bulk of the new funding directed to Washington and Lamoille Counties.
Hardwick has been actively coordinating with state officials for several months in preparation for this opportunity, said Leahy.
“We’ve participated in four public meetings, reviewed each version of the three program drafts and compiled extensive documentation of our flood-related needs.. As a result of this sustained engagement, Hardwick was designated as a state-Identified Most Impacted Community, a significant recognition given our exclusion from HUD’s formal ‘most impacted’ list,” she said.
Leahy said Hardwick remains committed to pursuing all available pathways to support long-term recovery and future resilience in the town.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
