$814K in grants offered for projects after nuclear plant closes

Five Windham County projects have been selected to receive $814,000 in grants after the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant shuts down.

Last year after the plant's owner, Entergy Nuclear, announced it was closing the plant, it agreed to contribute $10 million over five years for economic development in the county.

But Gov. Peter Shumlin said when he reviewed the 24 proposals, he found most didn't offer the "transformational new jobs and economic opportunity we were hoping for."

He said he's asked Commerce Secretary Paul Moulton to revamp the application process to encourage creative partnerships and attract new capital and ideas.

Grants are going to the Bellows Falls Area Development Corp.; the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.; the Sustainable Timber Investment Exchange; the Strolling of the Heifers; and United Way Windham County.