Better Connections is an ongoing partnership between the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) that seeks to align state and local investments to increase transportation options, build resilience, and strengthen economic vitality in Vermont’s Community Centers through planning grants.
Donor Name: Vermont Agency of Transportation
State: Vermont
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The program provides municipalities the opportunity to engage in master planning efforts that evaluate multi-modal transportation options, future land use, and water quality improvements. The program provides technical assistance through the duration of the grant to local communities to help achieve their goals and plan for the future. The interagency program provides targeted municipal assistance to:
- help communities identify and prioritize their goals and projects;
- develop an action-oriented plan to achieve the goals and move projects directly to implementation; and
- link the communities to a growing network of public and philanthropic partners to help them implement their priority projects.
Funding Information
For the 2026 grant cycle, $200,000 is available for Vermont cities and towns to support more connected, vibrant communities. The grant program serves municipalities located outside of Chittenden County.
Grant Period
March 2026 to February 2027.
Eligible Projects
Eligible projects under the program are master plans focusing on: improved multimodal connectivity; active transportation and complete streets; access management; traffic calming; parking; wayfinding; rehabilitation of buildings; redevelopment of sites; housing; land use planning; stormwater management. In addition to development of the master plan, the program can fund corresponding economic and marketing plans to ensure the market viability of the proposed improvements and inform the municipality’s capital planning.
For more information, visit Vermont Agency of Transportation.
