Regional planning group outlines grant help; West Swanzey water/sewer raised as a funding priority

Todd Corner of the Southwest Regional Planning Commission and Cody Morrison, executive director of the Economic Development Corporation, briefed the board on regional grant and technical assistance services and discussed how the town’s infrastructure projects could fit funding programs.

Todd told the board the SWRPC provides services to member municipalities using contracts with funders and highlighted on‑call engineering for conceptual work, culvert inventories and lake management plans as past examples. “We work with 33 member municipalities in Cheshire County, ... on transportation, brownfields, economic development, natural resources, and more,” Todd said.

Cody described his organization’s role in development financing, brownfields and affordable housing projects and noted previous cooperation on the North Winchester and California Street federal grant project. He and Todd identified Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Northern Border/MBRC catalyst and Timber for Transit programs as funding sources towns commonly use; they explained cost‑share structures and program mechanics.

Board members raised the West Swanzey water and sewer project as a substantial infrastructure need. Cody said the project may qualify for a range of funds and sometimes requires an earmark or congressional assistance to progress; he recommended maintaining relationships with federal delegation staff and pursuing engineering readiness so the project is shovel‑ready when funds become available.

The presenters also noted other funding opportunities — including clean‑fleets funds supported by the Volkswagen settlement for DPW fleet replacement — and offered to provide follow‑up information to help town staff prepare competitive applications.