Vermont Brownfields Revitalization Fund

The Brownfields Revitalization Fund - State Program is administered by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development in partnership with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. The program was significantly expanded through the enactment of H.439 as Act 74 on June 8, 2021, which allocated substantial state general fund resources to brownfield assessment and remediation activities throughout Vermont. The legislation represented the largest state-level investment ever made into Vermont's Brownfields Revitalization Fund and was designed to stimulate economic redevelopment, environmental stewardship, housing creation, and business growth through the cleanup of contaminated or underutilized properties. Subsequent legislative appropriations in 2022, 2023, and 2025 further increased available funding because of continued demand and strong statewide redevelopment interest. The program supports the productive reuse of properties impacted by hazardous materials or environmental contamination. Funding is intended primarily for implementation of approved Corrective Action Plans for sites enrolled in the Brownfields Reuse and Environmental Liability Limitation Act program, commonly referred to as BRELLA. Eligible remediation activities may include environmental cleanup and hazardous building material abatement when such work directly supports approved remediation objectives. The funding cannot be used for environmental site assessments, planning activities, or development of Corrective Action Plans. Instead, the program focuses specifically on remediation and implementation activities that advance redevelopment readiness and create measurable economic and community benefits. A major distinction between this state-funded program and the federal brownfields program is that private developers are eligible to receive remediation funding under this initiative. Applicants are not subject to the prior statutory cap of $200,000 per parcel, and awards may support up to 90 percent of approved remediation costs associated with implementation of the Corrective Action Plan. Applicants are generally expected to provide at least a 10 percent match, although the Commissioner of Economic Development may approve a waiver of the match requirement. Funding is distributed primarily on a reimbursement basis after evidence of eligible work completion and proof of payment are submitted, although limited cash advance arrangements may be available under certain conditions. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and municipalities with project sites located within Vermont. Sites owned by the State of Vermont are not eligible at this time. To qualify, the project property must be enrolled in the BRELLA program and must have an approved Corrective Action Plan issued by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. Applicants whose Corrective Action Plans are still pending approval may submit applications; however, no remediation award will be issued until the plan receives formal approval. Out-of-state organizations may apply if the project site itself is located within Vermont. Applicants are also expected to demonstrate organizational capacity, redevelopment readiness, and the ability to complete the proposed remediation project. Applications are submitted through an online application form administered by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Applicants are instructed to review the Notice of Funding Opportunity guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions before beginning the application because the system does not permit users to save progress and return later. The designated applicant representative should be familiar with the redevelopment project, financing structure, remediation scope, and required organizational attestations. In addition to the online form, applicants must email a W-9 form and Certificate of Insurance in PDF format to the program email address. Required application materials include a detailed project budget, remediation cost estimates, information about additional funding sources, descriptions of alignment with regional or state development plans, anticipated economic and community impacts, evidence of organizational capacity, and a project readiness timeline. Applications are evaluated based on project merit, redevelopment readiness, and alignment with statewide economic development priorities. Review criteria include demonstrated project need, population served, measurable outcomes, performance indicators, funding structure, and special considerations that strengthen the project case. Priority is given to projects with approved Corrective Action Plans, demonstrated reuse opportunities with measurable impacts, and projects where remediation funding will close a critical financing gap necessary for redevelopment completion. Potential outcomes may include creation of housing units, job growth, remediation of contaminated acreage, infrastructure reuse, and increases in municipal grand list values. Applicants may also be asked to host site visits and provide additional project information during the review process. Funding determinations are made on a rolling basis, allowing projects to apply continuously while funds remain available. Program support and questions are directed to the Agency of Commerce and Community Development through the brownfields team email inbox.

Projects with approved Corrective Action Plans demonstrated reuse opportunities measurable economic impacts and clearly identified funding gaps appear to receive priority consideration; applicants should emphasize redevelopment readiness community benefits housing or job creation outcomes and detailed measurable performance indicators.