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Upcoming Events
FEBRUARY
2/20, 7pm: North Ave. Corridor Study Public Workshop [Learn More]
MARCH
3/5, 5:30pm: CCRPC Executive Committee Meeting
3/20, 6pm: Prospect / Pearl / Colchester Ave. Steering Committee Meeting [Learn More]
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Traffic Alert Program
Our Traffic Alert e-mails are your source for roadway and construction work in Chittenden County.
Sign up today:
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Vermont Arts Council Announces Cultural Facilities Grant Deadline
The Vermont Arts Council will award grants of up to $30,000 to assist Vermont non-profit organizations and municipalities to enhance existing buildings. The deadline for grant applications is Thursday, May 1, 2014. [Learn More] |
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Burlington Named One of Techie.com's Most Promising Tech Hubs to Watch in 2014
Techie.com's editorial staff researched some of the most exciting and innovative up-and-coming hubs for 2014. Burlington, Vermont, was one of the 10 it selected.[Learn More]
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Economic Development Assistance Programs Federal Funding Opportunity
Under the Economic Development Assistance Programs (EDAP) Federal Funding Opportunity announcement, EDA will make construction, non-construction and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs. Grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Application due: March 14, 2014. [Learn More]
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How an Obese Town Lost a Million Pounds
Oklahoma City is a mid-sized town that has a big problem: It was among the most obese towns in America. Mayor Mike Cornett realized that, to make his city a great place to work and live, it had to become healthier, too. In this charming Ted Talk, he walks us through the interlocking changes that helped OKC drop a collective million pounds. [Learn More]
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Portland's Food Truck Heaven: How a New Kind of Fast Food Brings Jobs, Flavor & Walkability
The food cart scene has taken off in Portland, OR in a way it hasn't in other cities -- transforming vacant lots into community spaces and making neighborhoods more pedestrian-friendly and livable. [Learn More]
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February Incentive for Giving Blood
Give blood during the month of February and get a buy one, get one ski pass to Smuggs, Mad River or Jay Peak.
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm; Saturday, 7:30am-1pm
Call or go online to schedule an appointment today. [Learn More] |
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Greetings!
As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead, we're excited to announce the release of the 2013 ECOS Annual Report: The State of Chittenden County. At the end of January, the ECOS Partnership gathered to release the first edition of this report, which highlights notable accomplishments and provides over 80 indicators that track the progress of Chittenden County against the ECOS Plan goals related to the Economy, Environment, Quality of Place, and Community.
The full 90-page report contains a wealth of information about how Chittenden County is performing; for a more condensed version, we've also prepared a summary report, which highlights some of the significant trends and issues, notable accomplishments and actions needed to improve Chittenden County.
We invite you to check out the full or summary report, and welcome any suggestions for improvement you may have.
Enjoy the last full month of winter!
Best Regards,
Charlie Baker
Executive Director
Chittenden County RPC |
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Of Note
Applying Collective Impact in our Communities
There is increasing interest in the design and execution of Collective Impact collaborations due to the success they have achieved in addressing a range of complex social issues including: educational attainment; poverty reduction; lowering obesity rates in children and communities; and, environmental restoration. The Chittenden County ECOS Partnership uses Collective Impact in its collaborative ongoing efforts to meet the ECOS Plan goals. So, what exactly is Collective Impact, and how does it benefit our communities? [Learn More]
Chittenden County Community Leaders Come Together to Release
 2013 ECOS Annual Report: The State of Chittenden CountyThe first edition of the ECOS Annual Report was released on January 31, 2014, at a press conference held by the ECOS Partnership.
The full report provides over 80 indicators that track the progress of Chittenden County against the ECOS goals related to the Economy, Environment, Quality of Place and Community. The summary report provides highlights relating to key issues/trends, accomplishments and action items. How are we doing? [View the Report]
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Transportation News
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Transportation Board Releases 2013 Annual Report
The Vermont Transportation Board held six public hearings during the fall of 2013 to gather information about various transportation topics. The Board during the months of October and November also took public comment via its website. The results of this process have been published in the Board's 2013 Annual Report, available now. [View the Report]
 I-89 Lamoille River Bridges Construction Has Begun
Construction has begun on the I-89 Lamoille River bridges replacement project in Milton. The work will result in lane closures, but the schedule is designed to avoid peak commuter flows. Information about the project, construction schedule and potential traffic impacts can be found on the project website.
Williston Receives $203k Transportation Alternatives Grant
On February 5, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Transportation Secretary Brian Searles announced the recipients of $2.2 million in federal funds for municipal grant projects under the Transportation Alternatives Program. Williston received a $203,000 grant to construct 1,325 feet of sidewalk along Harvest Lane. [Learn More]
Transportation Project News
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Quality of Place
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
Municipal Planning Grants Awarded
The Department of Housing & Community Development recently announced the recipients of approximately $450,000 in Municipal Planning Grants that will assist 42 Vermont communities to plan for future growth and development, and revitalize cities and towns. The funded projects propose innovative ways to shape the future of their communities through planning, land use regulations and public facilities programs. Chittenden County recipients include Burlington and South Burlington. [Learn More]
 High Resolution Imagery of Chittenden County Now Available
In the spring of 2013, the Vermont Center for Graphic Information's Imagery Program kicked off the third year of digital orthophotos for the State. [What is an orthophoto?] By the end of 2015, there will be state-wide coverage of half-meter pixel orthophotos. In addition, areas were given the option to buy-up to a higher resolution. The CCRPC, member municipalities and various partners all contributed to buy .15cm pixel imagery for the County. After extensive quality control, the final product has finally been delivered to the CCRPC. For more information, please contact Pam Brangan.
New Healthy Community Design Toolkit
Produced by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Planning Association, this toolkit can help planners, public health professionals, and the general public include health in the community planning process. The toolkit is composed of four elements that work together to achieve this goal. [Learn More]
Census Bureau Introduces New Interactive Mapping Tool
The U.S. Census Bureau released Census Explorer, a new interactive mapping tool that gives users easier access to neighborhood level statistics. The mapping tool uses updated statistics from the 2008-2012 American Community Survey. The new application allows users to map out different social, economic and housing characteristics of their state, county or census tract, and to see how these areas have changed since the 1990 and 2000 censuses. [Learn More]
New Report: Walkable Shopping Areas are Good for Business
A new report from the Robert Wood Johnson's Active Living Research initiative examines the economic benefits of walkable communities. [Learn More]
 Burlington and CCRPC Selected to Participate in 2014 Leadership STAR Community ProgramThe Leadership STAR (Sustainable Tools for Assessing & Rating communities) Community Program supports a community as they get organized around the Rating System. The Rating System helps communities identify, validate and support implementation of best practices to improve sustainability. A STAR certified Community Rating is a third-party certification of sustainability that can be leveraged to align agencies, implement plans, and motivate people to make progress. In Chittenden County, the STAR Rating System is intended to enhance the ECOS Plan and better benchmark progress with sustainability objectives and move forward with supportive actions. [Learn More]
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Energy & Natural Resources
Implementing ECOS Strategy 4
Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program Announces $40,000 in Communities Caring for Tree Canopy Grants
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation's Urban & Community Forestry Program, in partnership with the University of Vermont Extension, is pleased to announce $40,000 in grants to support urban and community forestry programs at the local level. Application deadline: April 11, 2014. [Learn More]
 Working Lands Enterprise Fund Included in Governor's Budget for the First Time
In his budget address to the Vermont Legislature, Governor Shumlin showed a renewed commitment to the Working Lands Enterprise Fund. He stated that the funding line is included in the base budget, and he is recommending a 5% increase over last year's funding, which totaled $1,425,000. [Learn More About the Working Lands Enterprise Fund]
2013 Farm to Plate Annual Report Released 
All over the country, Vermont is now being looked to as the leading example of how to transform our food system. Public and philanthropic investment (grants and loans) in farms and food system enterprises was more than $70 million in 2013. In the 2013 Farm to Plate Annual Report, view three Blue Ribbon Stories that illustrate activities that are emerging across the Network. [Learn More]
Georgetown University Energy Prize: $5 million
The Georgetown University Energy Prize is a competition in which communities will be challenged to work together with their local governments and utilities in order to develop and begin implementing plans for innovative, replicable, scalable, and continual reductions in the per capita energy consumed from local natural gas and electric utilities. Letters of intent due: February, 2014. [Learn More]
 How My EV Changed My Commute: One Vermonter's Experience Getting Off the Beaten TrackLucy Gibson of DuBois & King consulting engineers in Randolph, VT contributed a guest blog post to Drive Electric Vermont about how leasing an electric vehicle changed her commute and overall travel experience. [Learn More]
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Emergency Preparedness
Implementing ECOS Strategy 5
Important Changes Regarding Vermont's Emergency Relief & Assistance Fund (ERAF)
Following the recovery from Tropical Storm Irene, the State of Vermont modified its standard for managing the State's ERAF. The new standard, which will be effective for any disaster after October 23, 2014, is structured to encourage municipalities to take four basic steps to prepare their their communities before the next disaster. [Letter from Jeb Spaulding]
>> NOTE: The CCRPC is tracking progress within Chittenden County in regards to towns meeting these eligibility requirements. Please contact Paul Luciano at the CCRPC with any questions.
Fire Risk Management and Protection Strategies Workshop Announced
Burlington's Certified Local Government invites you to attend a day-long seminar on fire risk management and protection strategies on Thursday, March 6. This seminar is aimed at owners and operators of historic properties, code officials, preservation architects, first responders and firemen, contractors, property managers and caretakers, planners, and anyone else interested in fire safety, safe practices, and effective strategies to mitigate fire risk. [Learn More & Register]
Have you signed up for Vermont Alert?
 Vermonters have a new, free tool at their disposal to stay informed of pending disasters, weather conditions, public health notifications, and countless other alerts that could affect themselves or their loved ones. Vermont Alert allows the public to sign up and receive notifications through a number of delivery systems, including text, e-mail, telephone, or even a game console.
Contact
For questions regarding Emergency Preparedness, including LEPC 1 or 5, please contact Paul Luciano in the CCRPC office.
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Save the Date
Regional Events
8th Annual United Way of Chittenden County Calcutta Night: Friday, March 7, 2014
Enjoy a warm evening of fun & fundraising to benefit United Way of Chittenden County. 100% of the proceeds are designated to United Way of Chittenden County. Essex Resort & Spa, Essex, VT. [Learn More & Register]
2014 Vermont Walk/Bike Summit: Saturday, March 29, 2014
Hosted by the Chittenden County RPC and Local Motion, the 2014 Vermont Walk/Bike Summit will include a keynote address and will feature workshops on innovative road and sidewalk projects, bicycle commuting, local history, effective advocacy tactics and project successes. Registration now open! [Learn More & Register]
State Government Municipal Day: Monday, March 31, 2014
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, invite you to participate in an all-day event that will include poster presentations, workshops, technical assistance and the opportunity to engage with Agency staff members and municipal colleagues from across the state. [Learn More & Register]
2014 TRB Tools of the Trade Conference: July 21-23, 2014 
The CCRPC is the local host for the 2014 Transportation Research Board's conference focusing on small- and medium-sized communities. Join us for 2 ½ days of presentations, interactive sessions, and panel discussions to enhance your transportation planning practice in small and medium sized communities. Room registration now open; conference registration opens on April 1. [Learn More]
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If you have questions, feedback, or suggested content for upcoming issues, we'd love to hear from you! Please contact us. 
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