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Upcoming Events
MARCH
APRIL
4/1, 7pm: Public Work Session: Route 2 Pedestrian & Bicycle Conceptual Alignment Analysis (Richmond) [Learn More]
4/10, 6pm: Railyard Enterprise Project Steering Committee Meeting [Learn More]
4/16, 6pm: CCRPC Commission Meeting
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Traffic Alert Program
Our Traffic Alert emails are your source for roadway and construction work in Chittenden County.
Sign up today:
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Use of Public Transit in US Reaches Highest Level Since 1956
More Americans used buses, trains and subways in 2013 than in any year since 1956 as service improved, local economies grew and travelers increasingly sought alternatives to the automobile trips within metropolitan areas, the American Public Transportation Association said in a report released on Monday, March 10. [Learn More] |
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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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Downtown & Village Tax Credit
Federal and State rehabilitation tax credits stimulate private investment, create jobs, restore historic buildings and jump start the revitalization seen in communities around the state. This year, legislation is proposed to expand the amount of credits available and the type of work that is eligible. Be one of the first to learn about the proposed updates that can save building owners and leaseholders between 10-50% on qualified building improvements. For more information, or to schedule a workshop for property owners, investors, and business owners in your region, please contact Caitlin Corkins at the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development. [Learn More] |
March is National Red Cross Month
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!
With the promise of spring weather on the horizon, and with Vermont Energy Independence Day today, we're focused on positive change over here at the CCRPC -- and we have an exciting invitation to extend to you.
Starting now, we invite you to sign up to play Vermontivate!, an award-winning community sustainability game that brings fun and competition to the serious work of tackling global climate change. Vermontivate! provides opportunities for participants to reduce energy consumption and air pollution emissions, increase their travel options and support our local economy -- all key objectives of the CCRPC ECOS Plan.
Officially beginning today, March 21, and open to players of all ages and experience levels (think: individuals, schools, families, public or elected officials), Vermontivate! is an inter-town, on and offline competition. The game seeks to facilitate positive change in a setting that encourages fun and realistic commitment to confronting real sustainability concerns. For public officials who want to stand out as leaders in their community on issues of sustainability, a special badge feature is available to highlight the challenges they take on. Please encourage the leaders in your community to be part of your Vermontivate! team.
In its first two years, Vermontivate! partnered with a number of statewide organizations to launch a series of small- and large-scale challenges to help individuals, schools and towns raise awareness and make real changes that positively impact their communities. We are excited to sponsor Vermontivate! in its third year, with a focus on advancing local and regional sustainability action and outreach efforts. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts players have in Vermont and beyond! Sign up today at Vermontivate.com. The winning town receives a Ben & Jerry's ice cream social.
Best regards,
Michele Boomhower
Assistant/MPO Director
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Of Note
 The Vermont Walk/Bike Summit is Next Saturday -- Register Now!
There's a lot being done statewide to make walking and biking in Vermont safer, more visible, respected and fun. Join your friends and colleagues in Burlington on Saturday, March 29th for the 2014 Vermont Walk/Bike Summit! Registration includes access to over 10 dynamic presentations, interactive workshops, a plated luncheon with an excellent keynote, and much more. [Learn More & Register]
 Let's Make Vermont a Better Place! Sign Up Today for Way to Go! Week (May 12-16)
Way To Go! week is a chance for you or your business to go toe-to-toe against carbon pollution. Bike, walk, carpool or ride the bus to victory! Win prizes, have fun-and help us reach our goal of reducing 300,000 lbs of carbon pollution in Vermont. [Learn More & Sign Up] |
Transportation News
Implementing ECOS Strategy 2
 I-89 Lamoille River Bridges Construction Continues
Construction continues 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.
Videos of Complete Streets Workshop Now Available
The Vermont Local Roads Program, in partnership with AARP Vermont, sponsored workshops statewide to provide education regarding Vermont's Complete Streets Law and how to implement the concept in the transportation system. This particular training session took place at the AARP Office in Burlington on February 5. Topics covered: Making the most of the law and its effect on towns, 7 steps to building complete streets, and a case study exercise. Watch the videos: [Part 1] [Part 2]
Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013 Released
Cities and towns across the country are making roads safer and more convenient for everyone through Complete Streets policies. A total of 83 communities adopted Complete Streets policies in 2013. These laws, resolutions and planning and design documents encourage and provide for the safe access to destinations for everyone, regardless of age, ability, income or ethnicity, and no matter how they travel. The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2013, released by Smart Growth America's National Complete Streets Coalition, highlights 15 communities that led the nation in creating comprehensive Complete Streets policies last year. [Learn More]
New Report: Chittenden County High Use Truck Routes Study
The Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission initiated this study to more fully understand trucking activity in the County and enhance our ability to plan more effectively to manage and support this activity. [Learn More]
Transportation Project News
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Economy
Implementing ECOS Strategy 1
First small BIZ VT summit to be Held on March 26
The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the first year of the small BIZ VT summit, being held on Wednesday, March 26th, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center. This day will be focused on opportunities for small business owners, and future owners, to learn about how to start a small business or grow their current business, and learn about products and services that are pertinent to small business. [Learn More]
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Energy & Natural Resources
Implementing ECOS Strategy 4
Raising the Bar: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Planning and Design Workshop - April 22-23
Stormwater runoff, caused by precipitation running off impervious surfaces and developed lands, is a leading cause of surface water pollution. Managing the quality and quantity of this runoff is of utmost importance for the health and sustainability of our communities and natural resources. This two-day workshop will focus on the use of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) systems and practices to achieve stormwater management goals. [Learn More & Register] Jericho and Underhill Win Vermont Home Energy Challenge
Congratulations to Jericho and Underhill for winning the Vermont Home Energy Challenge! The Home Energy Challenge was a town by town competition to weatherize 3% of homes in each participating town. Underhill and Jericho completed the highest percenta ge of home weatherization projects in Chittenden County, Franklin County, and Grand Isle County. This challenge, as well as other work energy committees do, supports the statewide goal of 25% energy savings in our homes by 2020. Thanks to Underhill, Jericho, and all the towns for their great work on reducing energy use in the state! [Learn More]
 31st Annual Winooski NRCD Conservation Tree Sale
For the past 30 years, the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD) has hosted a tree and shrub sale as a service to residents of the District, offering a wide selection of species at reasonable prices. Consider purchasing locally-sourced native plants this year (such as balsam fir, red osier dogwood and more) to support the local economy and the local environment. [Learn More]
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]
Vermontivate! 2014 Launches its Third Year
Starting March 21, sign up to play Vermontivate!, an award-winning community sustainability game that brings fun and competition to the serious work of tackling global climate change. Vermontivate! is open to players of all ages and abilities. [Learn More]
 CCRPC featured as CarShare VT's First Business Member
Michele Boomhower, CCRPC's MPO Director, says that a business membership with CarShare Vermont was a natural fit. The nature of the CCRPC's work, which includes frequent work-related travel, made having options outside of having employees rely on their personal cars a big perk for staff. [Learn More]
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions 2014 Tiny Grants Program
The objective of this grants program is to provide seed money and/or matching funds for specific conservation projects at the local level. Individual grants are available from $250-$600. Applications are due April 15 and awards will be announced May 1st. [Learn More]
Regional Energy Round Table: Wednesday, March 26, 6-8pm
Calling all Energy Committees! Join the Chittenden County Regional Energy Round Table on Wednesday, March 26 for legislative updates, an introduction to the Chittenden County Climate Action Guide, electric vehicle information, and a detailed look at the just-launched community sustainability game Vermontivate!. For more information and to RSVP, contact Melanie Needle.
Earth Hour 2014: Saturday, March 29, 8:30pm Local Time
Join millions of people across the world who switch lights off for an hour to raise awareness for the planet. Lights will be switched off from 8:30 to 9:30pm on Church Street in Burlington. [Learn More]
Contact
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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 Dan Albrecht at the CCRPC with any questions.
Additional 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
State Government Municipal Day: March 31
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]
Show me the $! Workshop (Locations Vary): March 26, April 2 & 9 
This course will familiarize decision-makers with grant funding available from the Federal and State levels of government to aid in addressing local transportation needs. With tight and competitive budgets, this course will educate municipalities on available road money. The session will cover when applications are made available and will include a handbook with strong/weak applications and do's/dont's. The VTrans Orange Book will be used as the base for this course. [Learn More & Register]
69th Annual Town Officers Education Conference (Burlington): April 9
A full day of informative workshops for town clerks, treasurers, listers, selectboard members, and citizen volunteers. Other dates/locations include Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee (April 2) and Grand Hotel, Killington (April 23). Registration is now open. [Learn More]
 Incident Command System 101 Workshop (Williston): April 16
This workshop will act as an introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS) and what public works departments should consider in emergency planning and inter-departmental coordination in a municipality during an emergency event like Tropical Storm Irene. This course was designed as a hybrid course for public works and town officials. [Learn More & Register]
Raising the Bar: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Planning & Design Workshop: April 22-23
Stormwater runoff, caused by precipitation running off impervious surfaces and developed lands, is a leading cause of surface water pollution. Managing the quality and quantity of this runoff is of utmost importance for the health and sustainability of our communities and natural resources. This two-day workshop will focus on the use of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) systems and practices to achieve stormwater management goals. [Learn More & Register]
Local Motion's Classic Vermontréal Tour: May 29-June 1 
This one of a kind bike trip begins in Burlington, Vermont and concludes in Montréal, Québec with a festive thirtieth anniversary ride in the famed Tour de L'Île - a festive recreational ride through Montréal on streets closed to traffic specifically for this event. [Learn More]
2014 TRB Tools of the Trade Conference: July 21-23
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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