Thompson EDC says state grant delays are stalling Main Street work and cleanup at 630 Riverside

Town economic development staff told the Thompson Economic Development Commission that state-level delays are blocking key projects, including Main Street reconstruction work under a Small Improvement Fund award and remediation planning tied to a brownfield grant for 630 Riverside.

Commission members heard that an executed assistance agreement and a payment request for the $4 million SIF grant were submitted but routed to the wrong DECD contact, delaying disbursement. The grant administrator said the last invoice for Main Street design has been on hold and contractors are withholding final bid documents until arrears are paid.

That same administrator described a longer-running problem with the brownfield award for 630 Riverside. The project, which is also involved in an ongoing court matter, requires an environmental abatement scope and bid documents; staff reported the circular problem that DECD will not release funds until the scope is firmed, but the scope cannot be completed until contractors are paid and perform the work. "Every time they say jump, I not only do I say how high, I clear the hurdle," the presenter said, describing repeated administrative hurdles at the agency.

Town staff laid out an escalation plan if routine follow-ups fail: additional calls to DECD attorneys, the state comptroller, and, if necessary, the governor's office. They stressed that local staff and contractors — not state administrators — bear the immediate cost and schedule risk while reimbursements are pending.

The commissioners reiterated the practical impact: without cleared reimbursements the town cannot finalize bid documents, contractors pause work, and grant-funded design and remediation stalls, delaying construction and site cleanup. The presenter said SIF issues should be resolved imminently; the brownfield grant will require a continued series of escalation calls.

The meeting closed the grant discussion noting next steps: staff will continue outreach to DECD contacts, follow the escalation ladder if payments remain withheld, and report back to the commission at the next meeting. No formal vote or directive was recorded.