Implementing ECOS Strategy 1

Governor Shumlin Proposes New Economic Tools

On April 14, Governor Shumlin and legislative leaders unveiled two proposals to attract, grow and retain high-tech companies that provide well-paying, skilled jobs for Vermonters. The proposals, if approved in the economic development bills moving through the State House, would create flexibility for the state to respond to exigent circumstances with significant effect on jobs, and would support additional VEDA lending for tech start-ups with a bright future in Vermont. [Learn More]

 Implementing ECOS Strategy 2

Chittenden County Earns A+ on Compactness

A recent study by Smart Growth America compared American cities on their tendencies toward sprawl. Researchers used four primary factors -- residential and employment density; neighborhood mix of homes, jobs and services; strength of activity centers and downtowns; and accessibility of the street network -- to assign a score to each area studied. In Vermont, Burlington and South Burlington were ranked 14th most compact and connected among small metro areas. Chittenden County received a total score of 120.78, among the highest of the counties included in this study. [Learn More]

CCRPC to Host Advanced Urban Design Webinar: Saturday, April 26

CCRPC will host an Advanced Urban Design: Theory and Practice webinar live from the National APA Conference this Saturday, April 26th from 8am to 5pm for FREE at our offices. Explore various ways of seeing and documenting issues, places, and communities. Learn from experienced urban designers as they discuss methods of analyzing environments and recommending changes. Look into the means of implementing recommended urban design policies through programs, projects, and people. Contact Regina Mahony to RSVP at rmahony@ccrpcvt.org.

 Implementing ECOS Strategy 4

Working Lands Enterprise Grant Recipients Announced

New Enterprise Investment grants have been awarded to agriculture and forest products businesses across the state. Approximately $300,000 was awarded to 19 recipients, who are located in 11 counties. Chittenden County recipients include: Jericho Settlers Farm ($18,200 for heated tunnels with biomass furnace to expand winter vegetable production) and the North Williston Cattle Company in Essex Junction ($10,000 for equipment to reclaim prime agricultural land). [Learn More]

Green Up Day: Saturday, May 3 

Green Up Day, the first Saturday in May each year, is a volunteer-based effort focused on removing litter from the 15,793 miles of Vermont's local town roads. VTrans also picks up litter from Vermont's 2,707 miles of State Highway. To take part in Green Up Day, visit the Green Up Vermont website.

International Compost Awareness Week: May 5-11

The ICAW was started in 1999 by the U.S. Composting Council and is held annually during the first full week of May. The purpose of this event is to educate the public on home composting and encourage the support of larger scale composting operations through participation in community programs and the purchase of compost from locally owned businesses. [Learn More]

Workshop on Lake Champlain Water Quality: Monday, May 12

Municipal officials are invited and encouraged to attend the next 'mediated modeling' workshop facilitated by the Research on Adaptation to Climate Change team: Developing Climate Change Adaptive Intervention Scenarios to Preserve Lake Champlain Water Quality. Monday, May 12, 8:30am - 4:30pm at the Sheraton Hotel in Burlington. Register by May 7. [Learn More & Register]

Draft Phase One Plan: Lake Champlain Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Submitted to EPA

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a draft Phase One Plan describing a proposal for addressing pollution into Lake Champlain. This submission met the deadline set by the EPA and will provide an opportunity for Vermont to get comments on its proposal before Governor Shumlin submits the state's final plan later this spring. [View the Draft Plan]

Northeast Climate Change Preparedness Conference: May 19-21

Antioch University New England and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Regions 1 and 2 are hosting a regional conference for local planners, decision-makers and educators to understand how to create healthy, resilient communities that are better prepared to handle severe weather and climate impacts. [Learn More]

Chittenden County Stream Team Teaches Vermonters to Build DIY Rain Barrels

Pollution from storm water runoff is a challenge that has long faced the state of Vermont. Waterways like Lake Champlain can be damaged by storm water that has picked up chemicals and other harmful material. There are a few measures homeowners can take to reduce their storm water runoff, and building a rain barrel is one. [Read the VPR Article]

Interested in how to build your own rain barrel? The next workshop is Saturday, June 14 in Essex Junction. [Learn More]

Contact 

Regional Events

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 30th 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]