Guard outlines $130M construction pipeline, emphasizes LEED standards and net‑zero goals

Colonel Jacob Roy, construction and facility management officer for the Vermont Army National Guard, outlined the Guard’s multi‑year construction pipeline, saying the Guard intends to bring more than $130,000,000 in military construction to Vermont over the next seven to ten years.

Roy identified near‑term projects: a Linden Readiness Center on the Vermont State College campus in Linden (about $19,000,000), a Family Service Center to support soldiers, families and veterans (about $4,500,000), and design funds anticipated for the Greenmount armory. He said many projects are currently in design and that the Guard is working with the congressional delegation to secure additional funds.

On the Air Guard side, Roy said local sustainment projects continue while two congressional‑directed projects — an indoor firing range and a cyber operations facility for the 229th cyber mission — are in or entering design, and he estimated about $51,000,000 in major Air Guard construction spending for the base.

Sustainability measures: Roy said the Army requires LEED certification for buildings (targeting at least LEED Silver) and that the cyber operations building is intended to be a carbon‑free, net‑zero facility. He also described the Newport armory renovation as a pilot that converted heating to all‑electric operation (with a propane backup) and is operating after two to three months.

Financing and asset disposition: Roy said some vacated armories will be sold after units relocate and that proceeds can be applied toward new projects. He estimated typical construction timelines at roughly two years from start to unit move‑in.

Next steps: Projects are at varying stages — some in design, some pending design funds — and the Guard described continued coordination with the National Guard Bureau and Congressional delegations to advance work.