VCDA 2025 Winter Conference
Navigating Funding in the Post-Pandemic World
Wednesday, January 15th | 9:00 AM – 3:45 PM | St Albans City Hall
Funding Resources
Vermont Community Loan Fund
White & Burke Resources
ACCD Funding & Incentives
Vermont Community Loan Fund
Vermont Council on Rural Development
Vermont League of Cities & Towns Funding Directory
Certified Local Government Program
City of St. Albans Website
VCDP Handout
Vermont Bondbank Flyer
“Funding and the Secret to Crossing the Finish Line” Panel Handout
White & Burke Resources
ACCD Funding & Incentives
Vermont Community Loan Fund
Vermont Council on Rural Development
Vermont League of Cities & Towns Funding Directory
Certified Local Government Program
City of St. Albans Website
VCDP Handout
Vermont Bondbank Flyer
“Funding and the Secret to Crossing the Finish Line” Panel Handout
Over the last four years, new funding sources have emerged to support countless projects and communities around the state. In addition to those new funding sources, we have also seen complexities, like higher than expected costs and capacity constraints.
Come and learn about how communities are finding success and creative solutions to fund their projects. Hear from compliance and technical assistance experts on how to navigate requirements and unearth new ways and resources for you and your community to tap into.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow community champions, gain valuable insights, and contribute to the collective work of building a brighter future for Vermont.
Morning snacks & lunch will be provided. Coffee, tea and water will be available throughout the day.
Location
We are holding this event at the St Albans City Hall located at 100 N Main St, St Albans, Vermont.
Parking
Parking instructions will be sent to those registered prior to the event. Please see the parking map below.
Click here to arrange a carpool.
Email Christine at [email protected] to discuss any special accessibility needs.
Come and learn about how communities are finding success and creative solutions to fund their projects. Hear from compliance and technical assistance experts on how to navigate requirements and unearth new ways and resources for you and your community to tap into.
Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow community champions, gain valuable insights, and contribute to the collective work of building a brighter future for Vermont.
Morning snacks & lunch will be provided. Coffee, tea and water will be available throughout the day.
Location
We are holding this event at the St Albans City Hall located at 100 N Main St, St Albans, Vermont.
Parking
Parking instructions will be sent to those registered prior to the event. Please see the parking map below.
Click here to arrange a carpool.
Email Christine at [email protected] to discuss any special accessibility needs.
Agenda
9:00 Welcome
9:10 Keynote "Working Together to Meet our Economic Growth Objectives"
9:30 Presentation/Discussion How Municipalities Can Fund Projects: Sources of Local Revenue
10:20 Break
10:35 Panel Funding and the Secret to Crossing the Finish Line
11:50 Lunch
1:00 Panel Compliance & Technical Assistance Resources
2:00 Break/Networking
2:30 Breakout Discussion Groups & St Albans Walking Tour
3:35 Closing
3:45 Adjourn
9:10 Keynote "Working Together to Meet our Economic Growth Objectives"
9:30 Presentation/Discussion How Municipalities Can Fund Projects: Sources of Local Revenue
10:20 Break
10:35 Panel Funding and the Secret to Crossing the Finish Line
11:50 Lunch
1:00 Panel Compliance & Technical Assistance Resources
2:00 Break/Networking
2:30 Breakout Discussion Groups & St Albans Walking Tour
3:35 Closing
3:45 Adjourn
Keynote
"Working Together to Meet our Economic Growth Objectives"
Secretary Lindsay H. Kurrle, Vermont ACCD
Lindsay Kurrle was appointed Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development by Governor Phil Scott, on September 2, 2019. ACCD encompasses the Departments of Economic Development, Housing and Community Development, and Tourism and Marketing. These departments include many programs that serve the Vermont public by enhancing the Vermont business climate, marketing Vermont to tourists and others, and strengthening Vermont communities in a wide variety of ways.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kurrle led the Governor’s Economic Mitigation and Recovery Leadership team and Task Force responsible for among many things the distribution of more than $300 million in economic relief funds to Vermont Businesses. She also served on the Governor’s Restart Leadership team helping to shape policy decisions around how the state would safely reopen in the wake of the crisis.
From January 2017 to September 2019, Lindsay served as Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Labor where she led over 300 employees, and administered Vermont’s workforce development, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, employment services programs, and Vermont’s occupational safety and health program. Prior to becoming the state’s Labor Commissioner, Lindsay was a business owner for 15 years, and an Auditor for the international accounting firm KPMG. Kurrle is an outspoken and strong advocate for growing Vermont’s economy and strengthening communities. Secretary Kurrle lives in Middlesex, Vermont with her husband and three children.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Kurrle led the Governor’s Economic Mitigation and Recovery Leadership team and Task Force responsible for among many things the distribution of more than $300 million in economic relief funds to Vermont Businesses. She also served on the Governor’s Restart Leadership team helping to shape policy decisions around how the state would safely reopen in the wake of the crisis.
From January 2017 to September 2019, Lindsay served as Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Labor where she led over 300 employees, and administered Vermont’s workforce development, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, employment services programs, and Vermont’s occupational safety and health program. Prior to becoming the state’s Labor Commissioner, Lindsay was a business owner for 15 years, and an Auditor for the international accounting firm KPMG. Kurrle is an outspoken and strong advocate for growing Vermont’s economy and strengthening communities. Secretary Kurrle lives in Middlesex, Vermont with her husband and three children.
Presentation
How Municipalities Can Fund Projects: Sources of Local Revenue
Dominic Cloud, St Albans City Manager
Over the last fifteen years Dominic Cloud has directed the comprehensive redevelopment of St. Albans from his position as City Manager. Under his tenure, the City has demonstrated the transformational power of forming public / private partnerships to advance economic development projects. Mr. Cloud previously served as Director of the Vermont League of Cities and Towns Municipal Assistance Center and as a lobbyist in the Statehouse. He received an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a B.A. in Government from St. John’s University. He lives in Essex, Vermont with his family.
Panel
Funding and the Secret to Crossing the Finish Line
View Handout
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Commissioner Alex Farrell, Department of Housing and Community Development
Alex Farrell is the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development; previously, he served the Department of Housing & Community Development as Deputy Commissioner. Alex also serves as Chair of the Board for the Vermont State Housing Authority, and is on the Board of Housing Foundation, Inc. In the past, Alex has volunteered on several Boards and Commissions, including the Vermont Real Estate Commission on which he served as chair for several years; Alex also served the city of Burlington on the Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Commission, the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board, and the Board for Registration of Voters. Alex is a Vermont native who was raised in Shelburne and attended the University of Vermont for his undergraduate degree, and Clarkson University for his master’s degree; he and his wife are currently residents of South Burlington.
David White, President and Founder, White + BurkeDavid is founder and president of White + Burke Real Estate Advisors, Vermont’s foremost firm working on public-private partnerships to foster economic development. Among countless other achievements, White + Burke has set up seven of the last eight Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts in Vermont.
Municipal clients have included St. Albans, Rutland, Montpelier, Killington, Newport, Barre, St. Johnsbury, Springfield, Dorset, Manchester, Bennington, Hartford, Rockingham, Windsor, Williston, Milton, Plattsburgh, and Winooski. David’s career in economic development started over 40 years ago as the founding Executive Director of a non-profit downtown revitalization organization in Montpelier. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Community Economic Development, and to take a stint as Director of Community Development for the City of Montpelier. He was a founder and is past President of the Vermont Community Loan Fund and is past President of the Vermont Community Development Association. In addition to his master’s degree, David has extensive training and certifications in real estate and business finance. He is certified by Grow America (formerly the National Development Council) as an Economic Development Finance Professional. He earned the CCIM designation, which is commercial real estate’s most coveted credential, representing proven expertise in investment analysis. Jenna Lapachinski, Field Services Representative, Preservation Trust of VermontJenna Lapachinski is a Field Service Representative for the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Before joining PTV’s staff in 2017, she worked as the Historic Resource Specialist for the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) in New Hampshire and the Preservation & Education Coordinator for the Historic Macon Foundation in Macon, Georgia. Jenna is a graduate of the University of Vermont Historic Preservation Program and lives in the hills of Tunbridge with her family.
Bonnie Waninger, Project and Funding Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
Bonnie Waninger, Project and Funding Specialist, Vermont League of Cities and Towns
As a member of VLCT’s new Municipal Operations Support team, Bonnie provides expertise, guidance, training, and support to Vermont’s municipalities as they advance their priority projects. She has culled from the more than 500 funding opportunities available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) those opportunities that are most applicable to Vermont’s local governments. She uses her broad knowledge and experience to help local officials identify, prepare for, and access all types of funding from traditional grants to complex tax incentives. Through VLCT’s Ask a Project Pro service, she provides one-on-one project development coaching to build and strengthen project readiness. Prior to joining VLCT, Bonnie served in Vermont Regional Planning Commissions (RPC) for 25 years, most recently as Executive Director in Central Vermont. She has raised millions in grant funds for RPC and municipal projects and programs. Bonnie is a graduate of Ball State University and the Snelling Center for Government’s Vermont Leadership Institute. Cooper Babbitt, Operations Director, Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland RegionCooper Babbitt serves as the Operations Director for the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), primarily focusing on connecting businesses, municipalities, and community groups with available funding from Local, State, and Federal sources. CEDRR focuses on a wide range of economic development projects, including infrastructure development and expansion, development of coworking facilities and business incubators, including the StartUp Rutland accelerator, and assisting private developers in navigating public partnerships with local and state governments to effectively move projects forward. Cooper has supported businesses in diverse industries to access funding through CEDRR’s Revolving Loan Fund, the Regional Economic Development Grants through the Department of Buildings and General Services, the Small Business Technical Assistance Exchange, and EDA/CDS grants in support of technology-based economic development strategies and entrepreneurial support for tech startups. Cooper was born and raised in Rutland, VT and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Middlebury College.
MODERATOR
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Panel
Compliance and Technical Assistance Resources
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Diane Meyerhoff, Principal, Third Sector AssociatesDiane Meyerhoff has raised over $70 million in grant funds for a variety of programs supporting community and economic development, transportation, housing, and social services. She holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Middlebury College.
Greta Brunswick, Senior Planner, Northwest Regional Planning CommissionGreta is a Senior Planner at Northwest Regional Planning Commission and resident of Fairfield. She has 20 years’ experience working with communities in Franklin and Grand Isle County on community development projects, land use planning and brownfields redevelopment. Greta is passionate about supporting towns and organizations in developing and realizing their visions for vibrant and special community places and spaces. She has a Bachelor of Science in Community Development and Applied Economics from the University of Vermont. At home, Greta enjoys supporting her 2 children in their many activities and pursuits, outdoor adventures, family trips and cooking!
Mariah Noth, Manager, Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) and VHCB Vermont Farm & Forest Viability ProgramMariah manages VHCB’s Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), which supports small towns, nonprofits, and working lands entrepreneurs with securing funding for community-based economic development projects. Previously, she worked in municipal planning in the Mad River Valley and has a background in grant writing and management. She was also a founding member of On the Fly, an organization that helped Vermont hospitality businesses navigate pandemic response and recovery. Mariah holds a degree in Community & International Development and Food Systems from the University of Vermont and has experience in sustainable viniculture in both New Zealand and Vermont. A native of Grand Isle, she now lives in Burlington’s New North End.
Patrick Scheld, Administrative Services Manager, Vermont Department of Housing & Community DevelopmentPatrick is the Administrative Services Manager at the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. In that role he manages VCDP’s Grants Management staff which focuses on the monitoring, evaluation, and compliance of all VCDP grants. VCDP administers the HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) which assists communities on a competitive basis by providing federal financial and technical assistance to identify and address local needs in the areas of housing, economic development, public facilities, public infrastructure, public services, and handicapped accessibility modifications. Patrick has been working with VCDP since 2017 and has worked in his current capacity as manager of the Grants Management team since 2022. He has a Masters’ Degree in Community Development and Applied Economics from the University of Vermont and completed his undergraduate degree at St. Michaels College. He lives in Essex with his wife and two young boys, and when not working you can probably find him playing hockey or skiing.
MODERATOR
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Breakout Discussion Groups
and St Albans Walking Tour
Choose from the following 4 options, all will occur simultaneously:
Project Specific Technical Assistance & Challenges
Led by Julia Connell, Community Development Specialist, VT Dept. of Housing & Community Development
Agency of Commerce & Community Development
Building A Project Budget
Led by Jenna Lapachinski, Field Services Representative, Preservation Trust of Vermont
and Gretchen Havreluk, Ingram & May
Keeping Momentum Post Funding Award
Led by Bill Moore, Economic Development Director/Recreation Director, Town of Brandon
St Albans Walking Tour
Led by Chip Sawyer, Director of Planning & Development, City of St. Albans
Led by Julia Connell, Community Development Specialist, VT Dept. of Housing & Community Development
Agency of Commerce & Community Development
Building A Project Budget
Led by Jenna Lapachinski, Field Services Representative, Preservation Trust of Vermont
and Gretchen Havreluk, Ingram & May
Keeping Momentum Post Funding Award
Led by Bill Moore, Economic Development Director/Recreation Director, Town of Brandon
St Albans Walking Tour
Led by Chip Sawyer, Director of Planning & Development, City of St. Albans
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