If you haven’t heard of “CHIP,” now is the time to learn about the new Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP). It is the largest investment in municipal infrastructure in the state’s history - $2 billion over the next 10 years – and it is available to all municipalities!  In this kickoff session, you will learn the high-level basics of what CHIP is and discover how you might use this new financing tool to build the infrastructure to support the creation of new housing in your community. This session will provide a clear overview of CHIP, including:

•  How the program works and what makes it different from traditional funding tools
• Eligibility requirements and key guardrails to ensure responsible implementation
• The timeline and expectations for program launch
• VLCT’s upcoming 3-year CHIP technical assistance program - “CHIP IN VT” (CHIP Invest in Vermont”)

Whether you’re a town manager or administrator, selectboard member, lister, assessor, treasurer, or local or regional planning or development staff, this session will help you understand what CHIP is and how it can be a game-changer for communities of all sizes. Following the presentation, you’ll have the chance to ask questions and learn from others across Vermont.

Presenters: 
Katie Buckley, Director Municipal Operations Support Team, VLCT 
Bonnie Waninger, Project & Funding Specialist, VLCT
Samantha Sheehan, Municipal Policy and Advocacy Specialist, VLCT
Jessica Hartleben, Executive Director, Vermont Economic Progress Council

Building Housing, Building Futures: VLCT’s CHIP Webinar Series

The Vermont Community Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) aims to enhance housing development by allowing municipalities to finance infrastructure improvements using future tax revenue from grand list growth (instead of raising taxes). VLCT’s webinar series will break CHIP down into understandable, bite-size pieces focused on the municipality’s role in the program.  Each session will be topic-oriented and designed to help local government officials and staff navigate the process, if they choose to apply, and manage its requirements if their application is approved. Sessions will begin with a presentation or panel discussion then transition to Q&A. Bring your questions, share your challenges (and successes!), and learn from experts and your peers.