We are pleased to announce the release of the ECOS Plan 2014 Annual Report and online ECOS Scorecard.

For the second year since the adoption of the ECOS Plan, the ECOS Partnership has released the Annual Report, a summary that highlights a number of regional accomplishments, trends and high priority actions. 

New this year, the ECOS Scorecard is an online data platform that monitors how Chittenden County is doing with regard to achieving our ECOS goals relating to the economy, land use, transportation, housing, energy, environment, health, education, public safety, and more. The online Scorecard entirely replaces the PDF used last year to compile all the indicators, and is a dynamic and efficient system for updating, monitoring, and sharing data. 

For more information, see our press release.

Best regards,

Charlie Baker

Executive Director

CCRPC's Regina Mahony has been promoted to Planning Program Manager, overseeing the organization's planning (non-transportation) efforts. Regina joined the CCRPC in November of 2011. Prior to the CCRPC, Regina worked for the Town of Milton for 8 years; first as the Town Planner, then as the Planning Director from August 2006 to October 2011. Regina began her new role on February 2.

The CCRPC is currently accepting applications for two positions: Transportation Program Manager, and Regional Planner/Engineer. Application deadlines are 3/4 and 2/27, respectively. [Learn More]

The Local Investment Advisory Committee, chaired by the State Treasurer, will receive proposals for local investment financing from interested parties until March 2, 2015. Proposals will be considered in the following areas: Housing and Energy; Transportation; Municipal Infrastructure; and Financing Post-Secondary Education. [Learn More]

Learn about state assessment tools and a case study - Class 4 road projects in the White River watershed. [Learn More]

VTrans and Stantec Consulting are sponsoring a public meeting on Thursday, February 26 at St. Michael's College. The purpose of this meeting is to inform the public about the shared-use path project from Lime Kiln Road in Colchester to Susie Wilson Road in Essex. [Learn More]

The Vermont Transportation Board released its 2014 Annual Report, which documents the comments the Board collected during a recent series of public forums that focused on the transportation needs and wants of young adults. [Learn More]

VTrans announced the recipients of $2.1 million in federal funds for municipal grant projects under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). The TAP provides funding for programs and projects defined as transportation alternatives, including on- and off-road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, infrastructure projects for improving non-driver access to daily needs, community improvement activities, and environmental mitigation; safe routes to school projects; and projects for planning, designing, or constructing boulevards and other roadways. Congratulations to these Chittenden County recipients:

 

Town of Jericho: $48,000

Construct 1,620 feet of sidewalk on the west side of Browns Trace north of Jericho Center Green.

City of Burlington: $220,316

Construct five new pedestrian crossings.

Town of Williston: $300,000

Meadow Run shared use path connector project. 

Town of Essex: $286,216

Construct concrete sidewalk with curbing.

Town of Colchester: $300,000

Construct 4,435 feet of 10' wide separated multi-use path along West Lakeshore Drive.

This Plan represents a unified Town/Village bicycle-pedestrian plan that connects the entire community. It assesses the existing network, and identifies and prioritizes future needs so the Town and Village can pursue implementation opportunities as they arise. [View the Plan here]

This study presents a conceptual alignment analysis for a pedestrian and bicycle path between Richmond Village and the I-89 Exit 11 park and ride. This study also considers other alternatives, such as on-road improvements, that would improve conditions for walking and biking. [View the Report here]

University of Vermont trustees unanimously approved a $78 million bond resolution for the school's largest ever capital project. The project known as the STEM Complex is central to the university's commitment to deepening its academic programming for the physical sciences and engineering. [Learn More]

The 20,000 sq. ft. manufacturing plant in Essex will help Twincraft reach its growth goals, which include hiring new employees in Vermont over the next five years. [Learn More]

Vermont Smoke and Cure is expanding its manufacturing and office space in Hinesburg. This capacity expansion will generate at least 15 new jobs in the coming year as well as increase capacity to purchase from local farmers. [Learn More]

The New England Stormwater Collaborative Stormy Award recognizes simple, imaginative, and inventive ways that New England communities are increasing staff capacity, funding, or political support for stormwater management programs. Together, the Regional Stormwater Education Program, the Chittenden County Stream Team, and the CCRPC received a New England Stormy Award in 2014. [Learn More]

The Lintilhac Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that are making sustainable, positive change for Vermont's environment and people. The Foundation's areas of interest include: clean water economy, with a special focus on monitoring and stream corridor management; renewable energy economy, including nuclear-free awareness and promotion of renewable energy; and land use and environmental equity, especially recreational access to lands and integrative land use planning. Grants range between $5,000 and $30,000. The application deadlines are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, annually. [Learn More]

Encore Redevelopment of Burlington has announced the recent installation and commissioning of the PSEG Essex Solar Energy Center in Essex Junction. This array is the largest solar project in Vermont and is estimated to produce approximately 4,500,000 kWh of electricity annually, sufficient to power roughly 700 Vermont homes. [Learn More]

A draft of the new Winooski form-based code was presented on February 11th. Based on community input from the Public Design Workshops in June, this draft code lays out future zoning regulations for the 'Gateway Corridors' of E. Allen St, Main St. and Malletts Bay Ave. The draft code and a survey to provide feedback can be found at: www.winooskigateways.com. Comments will be accepted until March 20th.

Readers will learn why FBCs are important, how they differ from conventional zoning, and how they can help communities bring to life their visions for the future. Popular misconceptions about form-based codes are explained and corrected. [Learn More]

The prospective re-development of the Burlington Town Center property represents an historic opportunity to grow a healthier, more walkable and prosperous downtown aligned with the vision of the planBTV: Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan. In order to help turn this vision into reality, public input is needed. Get involved by participating in a series of public workshops Feb. 18-21. [View the Schedule]

People of color considering a move to Vermont can now access a website to learn about the experiences of others who have moved to the Champlain Valley Region. The website, www.iamavermonter.org, is funded by KeyBank and features testimonials from individuals who have moved to Vermont over the past 20 years. Testimonials describe personal experiences before and after a move, and tips for making the transition work for spouses and family. [Learn More]

Communities that can't differentiate themselves have no competitive advantage in today's economy, says economic development and land use policy expert Ed McMahon. Ed gave a TEDx talk in Jacksonville, Florida, recently about the economic and social value of preserving the character of cities and towns across the country. [Learn More]

Building Bright Futures (BBF) will publish a series of analyses that will address essential early childhood questions of child, family and community well-being. BBF will keep this information in an e-data catalogue as part of its publicly accessible early childhood data reporting system. This data catalogue is a dynamic and constantly evolving public resource. [Learn More]

The reauthorization of federal child nutrition programs by Congress every five years provides an opportunity to change the way these programs are structured by law, and the way the law is administered by the USDA and by state agencies under USDA oversight. The Coalition's recommendations seek to make these essential and valuable federal programs work more efficiently and effectively in small, rural states like Vermont. [Learn More]

Employers throughout Vermont are invited to attend the Vermont Worksite Wellness Conference on March 25th at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in South Burlington. Vermont business leaders, human resources professionals, and wellness specialists will share ideas for inspiring employees to make healthy choices on and off the job. [Learn More]

The checklist provides local government officials, community organizations, and nonprofits with a new tool to assess a community's readiness to prepare and recover from future floods. To learn more, read the report on Planning for Flood Recovery and Long Term Resilience in Vermont.

The Connecticut River Watershed Council has released six short videos to help communities prepare for flooding. The videos highlight steps that communities can take to reduce exposure to damage from flooding. [Learn More]

For questions regarding emergency preparedness, including LEPC 1, please contact Lee Krohn in the CCRPC office.

Beginning March 19, ECHO will inspire multi-organizational, regional teams to produce or further develop specific projects, programs, and plans that engage an enthusiastic community to address social and structural resiliency for flooding and stormwater issues related to climate change. [Learn More]

Focused on the unique and varied roles and responsibilities of Vermont selectboards, the Spring Selectboard Institute provides indispensible training for newly elected members. More seasoned selectboard members and staff members who report to a selectboard will benefit from attending as well. [Learn More]

Vermontivate! is a game that brings fun and creativity to the vital work of addressing climate change and building sustainable communities. [Learn More]

Two Burlington Neighborhood Planning Assemblies will host a one-day workshop that addresses the ABCs of roundabout design, examines its many benefits, and analyzes a Burlington intersection for roundabout conversion. The event will be held at UVM and is co-sponsored by AARP Vermont, UVM Center on Aging, Addison County RPC, Chittenden County RPC, Northwest RPC, Vermont Local Roads and VTrans. [Learn More]

VTrans is developing an On-Road Bicycle Plan in support of enhancing on-road bicycle improvements on state highways. The plan will assist VTrans in understanding where to focus limited resources toward bicycle improvements and allow better integration into Agency projects. [Learn More]

Burlington will host the 2015 Downtown and Historic Preservation Conference on Friday, June 5th at Main Street Landing. The conference offers walking tours and education sessions packed with practical ideas and information you can use to help your community thrive. Registration coming soon. For more information, contact Gary Holloway.

Save the date for the Vermont League of Cities & Towns' Planning & Zoning Forum. [Learn More]