Regional planners seek Johnson priorities for $1M+ disaster-recovery block grant targeting flood resilience

Representatives from the regional planning commission (LCPC) told the Johnson Select Board on Sept. 8 that the agency has a substantial Community Development Block Grant (disaster recovery) award to allocate across planning, infrastructure, housing assistance and critical facilities for flood mitigation and recovery. "LCPC was awarded a fairly large grant through the development block ... specifically the disaster to upgrade ground that ground this time last year," the presenter summarized.

LCPC asked the board to identify priority projects for funding and to indicate whether the town wants help pursuing a downtown Tier 1b designation, floodplain-bylaw amendments, buyout reuse planning, 30% design for restoration projects, or critical-facility studies. Board members pressed on realistic outcomes and affordability, asking for benefit–cost analysis for major mitigation projects, clearer estimates of local allocations from the countywide pot, and examples of projects that typically get funded. LCPC said it will gather information on likely impact, equity, and project readiness and return with a prioritized list for the board to refine.