Guard official: federal MILCON funding for Swanton readiness center pulled; state match timing unclear

The House Corrections and Institutions Committee received an update March 20 on the Northwest Regional Readiness Center in Swanton, where the Vermont Army National Guard has acquired property and is beginning environmental review but faces federal funding uncertainty.

"The project is now recompeting for the 28 to 32 MILCON cycle," Colonel Jacob Roy, speaking for the Vermont Army National Guard, told the committee. He said the MILCON funding that once looked promising was removed from the FY26 appropriation and the project must re-compete; federal design funds could arrive as early as fiscal 2028 or as late as fiscal 2030.

Roy outlined how the federal appropriations process affects timing and explained that, while it is not strictly required to have the state match in hand before federal funds arrive, having state funds committed improves the state's justification when seeking congressional support. He described the Guard’s plan to meet with the congressional delegation this summer to discuss options, including seeking congressional-directed spending or the regular MILCON cycle.

Committee members agreed to keep a $1.3 million placeholder for the readiness-center match in the bill for now and asked military and staff to follow up during final markup.

The Guard said environmental clearance and design work are the immediate next steps, and that obligation of federal funds will require a cooperative agreement and, typically, a 25% state match when federal funds begin to be obligated.