NRPC Publishes Regional Data Scorecards
Regional data for Franklin and Grand Isle Counties is now available in one place- through online scorecards produced by Northwest Regional Planning Commission. In partnership with the United Way of Northwest Vermont and Clear Impact, NRPC has created data scorecards in the following categories: Regional Context/Demographics, Economic Infrastructure, Energy, Health, Transportation, Natural Systems, Physical & Built Environment, Public Safety, and lastly the Regional Plan Indictors Report that reflects the measures NRPC reviews annually in the successful implementation of the Northwest Regional Plan.
There are six guiding principles NRPC utilizes when planning for the future of the region.
- Coordinate and leverage state, local and federal policies and investments
- Provide more transportation choices
- Promote equitable, affordable housing
- Enhance economic competitiveness
- Support existing communities
- Value communities and neighborhoods.
The Data Scorecards will be vital in more efficient measurement and tracking of these six principles. The Scorecards will also serve as a resource to other local governments, community organizations, and community members in making data specific to Franklin and Grand Isle Counties readily available and accessible.
NRPC recognizes that the indicators represented on the scorecards are only telling part of the story, as data is a means to an end and not the end itself. The goal of these scorecards is to aid in conversations around challenges and opportunities facing communities. If you or your organization would like to submit suggestions for the "Story behind the Curve" on a specific indicator, please contact Shannon Turgeon at [email protected].
Go online to nrpcvt.com/scorecards to start interacting with the data tool. We hope you find this a great resource. We will update the scorecards quarterly or when new data becomes available.
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VTrans Seeking Input from Public Transportation Users
If you ride the bus, carpool, or Uber, VTrans wants your input!
VTrans will be holding regional forums throughout the state this fall to gather input on existing services, service gaps and challenges, and potential solutions from stakeholders and transit riders.
Date:
Wednesday,October 24
Time: 9 AM
Location:
Northwestern Counseling & Support Services-Mable Room
130 Fisher Pond Road, Saint Albans, VT
Why:
To share experiences and help VTrans shape the future of public transportation in your region.
VTrans is updating the Vermont Public Transit Policy Plan (PTPP). The PTPP will quantify Vermont's transit needs, as well as recommend programmatic and policy initiatives to strengthen the statewide transit system- outlining a 10-year vision for transit service in Vermont.
The State of Vermont views public transportation as "an important matter of State concern, essential to the economic growth of the State and to the public health, safety, and welfare and present and future generations of Vermonters." Come share your experiences and help shape the future of public transportation in your region.
More information can be found on the project webpage.
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Need a guide to the new clean water funding opportunities?
Come to the next
Clean Water Advisory Committee Meeting and find out about opportunities currently available and ways to move your project forward with partners.
Date: Thursday, October 25th
Time: 5:00-6:30 PM
Location: St. Albans City Hall, 100 N. Main St
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State Government Municipal Day Workshops Being Offered Across the State
The 6th Annual State Government Municipal Day workshops will be happening this fall at locations across the state.
The workshops are being offered by The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Agency of Transportation and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
Dates and Locations:
Thursday, October 25-Springfield
Friday, October 26- Montpelier
Thursday, November- Rutland
Friday, November 2- Essex Junction
Cost: $10 for half day events, $25 for full day events
Who should attend?
- Select Board Members
- Town Managers
- Municipal Legal Staff
- Regional Planners
- Planning Commission Members
- Development Review Board Members
- Zoning Officials
- Conservation Commission Members
- Superintendents of Public Works
- Economic Development Officials
- Solid Waste Staff
- Town Clerks
Agendas will cover a diverse array of topics. Registration closes 48 hours before each workshop, so don't delay!
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Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to offer Caring for Natural Resources workshop
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is offering a two-part workshop on Caring for Natural Resources this fall.
The Lamoille County Planning Commission, Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources designed the series to help local officials (planning commissioners, conservation commissioners, selectboards, etc.) better understand why it's important to plan for natural resources and how to take action.
Dates: October 29 & November 5
Time:
6:00-8:00 PM
Location: Hyde Park Municipal Offices (Oct. 29) &
Cambridge Fire Station (Nov. 5)
Cost:
Suggested donation of $25 to benefit the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions.
The first course, Vermont's Ecology and Environment (NR1)
provides the scientific concepts behind the natural resources planning issues Vermont communities often face. Participants will be introduced to a full suite of natural resources-forests, wildlife, floodplains, climate change, and much more-through a framework designed to facilitate prioritization and improve understanding of how Vermont's various natural resources work together. Presentations are interspersed with interactive hands-on activities. This workshop will be occurring on November 29 at the Hyde Park Municipal Offices and on November 5 at the Cambridge Fire Station.
The second course, Taking Action in Your Community (NR2) is designed to
help participants choose locally appropriate land use planning strategies for conserving natural resources. It uses case studies and exercises to show how taking action can work in real life. The overall goal is to build understanding of what you can do, how to work with different people in your community, how to choose ways to protect natural resources, and how to make results happen! This course will be offered in the Lamoille region in winter 2019-exact dates have yet to be determined.
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Growing the Working Landscape Conference being offered in Saint Albans
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Emerald Ash Borer Resources Available
The recent arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in the region has many communities worried about this invasive species. However, new resources are now available for municipalities. Vermont Urban and Community Forestry has created a resource page for communities in regards to EAB management, which can be found
here.
The Central Vermont Regional Planning Commission is hosting an EAB workshop at the UVM Extension office in Berlin.
The Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation will be releasing a small grant opportunity for communities to conduct inventories and prepare plans around EAB management.
Date: November 28
Time: 4-6 PM
Location: UVM Extension Office, Berlin
The Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation will be releasing a small grant opportunity for communities to conduct inventories and prepare plans around EAB management.
For more information, please contact [email protected].
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Vermont Launches New Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Program
The Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development announced the launch of Vermont's new Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) program.
In total, $2.4 in funding will be available over multiple years to support the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charge stations at qualified locations in Vermont.
This program is a partnership between Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Housing and Community Development, Agency of Transportation, Department of Health and Public Service Department.
Eligibility:
Eligible applicants include
Governments (Federal, State, municipal, public education institutions, public utilities, and other public institutions), businesses, non-profits, homeowner associations, electric utilities, and EVSE equipment providers.
Locations:
The program prioritizes funding in state designated areas (downtowns, village centers, new town centers, growth centers and neighborhood planning areas), highway corridors, public transit hubs, major tourist destinations, colleges/universities, hospitals, public park and rides, workplaces and multi-unit housing.
Funding:
There will be a total of $400,000 in funding available in the first grant round.
Deadline:
G
rant applications are due November 30th, 2018
.
How to Apply:
Program description and application are available on the EVSE website. The application has several resources available to help guide applicants through the process of applying.
Technical assistance on EV charging equipment, installation and siting is also available through Drive Electric Vermont. They are available to help answer questions, provide guidance, and discuss EV market conditions in Vermont.
For more information, please contact Gary Holloway at
802-828-3220 or
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Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Publishes Green Streets Guide
Vermont Urban and Community Forestry recently published the Vermont Green Streets Guide, a step-by-step publication that builds expertise, facilitates design, and outlines maintenance practices on a new type of urban street.
City streets dominate large expanses of our urban landscape, creating dedicated spaces for vehicular traffic and utilities. This conventional street design is re-imagined and re-engineered in the new
Vermont Green Streets Guide.
Green Street design
takes a complete view of the street, seeing stormwater as a resource, universal mobility as a priority, and plants as co-engineers of a complex built environment. It reimagines a singular street design that efficiently prioritizes multiple uses and recognizes the unique value of shared spaces.
The Vermont Green Streets Guide can be
downloaded here.
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Vermont Community Development Association Holds Fall Conference
The Vermont Community Development Association's Fall Conference will be focused on Workforce Development: Community Based Strategies.
Date: Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Time: 9:30 a.m.-3 PM
Location: Hotel Coolidge, White River Junction, VT
Numerous Vermont businesses, agencies, organizations, and communities are actively exploring strategies at all levels to build and support Vermont's workforce.
For more information, contact Theresa Bachand at 802-229-9111 or at
[email protected].
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