Committee hears overview of preservation grant programs; state grants recommended level‑funded
February 05, 2026 | Institutions, SENATE, Committees, Legislative , Vermont
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Senate Institutions — Feb. 4, 2026: Division for Historic Preservation staff reviewed two grant programs included in the capital budget and recommended level funding for each in the coming year.
Caitlin Horkins, tax‑credit and grants coordinator, told the committee the Historic Preservation Grant Program (established 1986) provides 50/50 matching grants to nonprofits and municipalities for capital repairs and restoration. The program was funded at $300,000 in the current fiscal year and Horkins said the recommendation is to level‑fund at $300,000 again. Since inception the program has awarded grants to over 670 preservation projects, totaling about $7,000,000 in state grant funding.
Why it matters: Horkins said demand exceeds available funds, making the program competitive; she and committee members noted the grants support town halls, meeting houses and churches and have local economic development impacts beyond heritage preservation.
Horkins also presented the Barn/Agricultural (BARDA) grant program (established 1992), which offers 50/50 matching grants up to $20,000 for historic agricultural buildings. She said $300,000 is recommended in the budget for that program as well and observed a slight dip in applications likely tied to contractor shortages and the difficulty applicants have obtaining required estimates.
Examples and outcomes: Horkins highlighted recent projects supported by the programs — window restoration in Brownington’s stone house museum, an addition‑compatible project at Middlebury’s Ilseley Library that required slate‑roof work, masonry work at Ferrisburg’s Union Meeting Hall and the Braintree Hill Meeting House roof replacement supported by a combination of federal, local and state funds. Horkins said the state’s $20,000 grant filled a final funding gap for the Braintree project.
Next steps: Committee members thanked staff and did not take a roll‑call vote at the hearing; the funding recommendations are part of the capital bill language under review.
Caitlin Horkins, tax‑credit and grants coordinator, told the committee the Historic Preservation Grant Program (established 1986) provides 50/50 matching grants to nonprofits and municipalities for capital repairs and restoration. The program was funded at $300,000 in the current fiscal year and Horkins said the recommendation is to level‑fund at $300,000 again. Since inception the program has awarded grants to over 670 preservation projects, totaling about $7,000,000 in state grant funding.
Why it matters: Horkins said demand exceeds available funds, making the program competitive; she and committee members noted the grants support town halls, meeting houses and churches and have local economic development impacts beyond heritage preservation.
Horkins also presented the Barn/Agricultural (BARDA) grant program (established 1992), which offers 50/50 matching grants up to $20,000 for historic agricultural buildings. She said $300,000 is recommended in the budget for that program as well and observed a slight dip in applications likely tied to contractor shortages and the difficulty applicants have obtaining required estimates.
Examples and outcomes: Horkins highlighted recent projects supported by the programs — window restoration in Brownington’s stone house museum, an addition‑compatible project at Middlebury’s Ilseley Library that required slate‑roof work, masonry work at Ferrisburg’s Union Meeting Hall and the Braintree Hill Meeting House roof replacement supported by a combination of federal, local and state funds. Horkins said the state’s $20,000 grant filled a final funding gap for the Braintree project.
Next steps: Committee members thanked staff and did not take a roll‑call vote at the hearing; the funding recommendations are part of the capital bill language under review.
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