Growth centers aim to align public infrastructure and private building investments with a local framework of policies and regulations to ensure that 20 years of future development will enhance the vitality of the designated commercial center, while protecting farms, forest, and natural areas outside the growth center.
Effective July 1, 2024, Act 181 of 2024 ended the program's intake of new applications and the requirement for existing designated communities to undergo five-year reviews. Municipalities may continue to apply for the Neighborhood Development Area Designation, an add-on designation with similar benefits, until December 31, 2025.
Municipalities with an existing growth center may continue to apply for boundary amendments to the Community Investment Board, and all growth centers will transfer into the reformed 'community investment program' upon approval of the regional plan's future land use map b the State Land Use Review Board. The existing growth center designations will lose no benefits during this transition period.
Annual Report
Designated Growth Center Records
For the six existing growth centers, designation remains in effect for 20 years after growth center approval.
- Williston - October 2007 approval decision (pdf), November 2012 Five-Year Review (pdf), November 2017 Five-Year Report, November 2017 Condition Follow-Up, November 2022 Five-Year Review.
- Bennington - October 2008 approval decision (pdf), October 2013 Five-Year Review (pdf), October 2018 Five-Year Review, November 2023 Five-Year Review
- Colchester - April 2009 approval decision (pdf), May 2014 Five-Year Review (pdf), June 2019 Five-Year Report, and September 2024 Five-Year Report
- Montpelier - September 2009 approval decision (pdf), September 2014 Five-Year Review (pdf), Updated Boundary Map - 2016, September 2019 Five-Year Review & Boundary Amendment, September 2024 Boundary Amendment
- Hartford - March 2010 approval decision (pdf), May 2015 Five-Year Review (pdf), and March 2020 Five-Year Review.
- St. Albans City - July 2010 approval decision (pdf), September 2015 Five-Year Review (pdf), and July 2020 10-Year Review.