Weekly News Roundup

May 5, 2023

Upcoming Events

2023 VPA Awards Reception and Spring Conference

Vermont Planners Association will be hosting an awards reception and spring conference, “Revitalizing Downtowns and Village Centers: How your community can make it happen”, on Friday, June 2^nd at 12 pm at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph. The event will be accessible in person and online via Zoom.

Registration is $30 to attend in person, and $15 to attend online via Zoom. Zoom meeting details will be sent one day before the conference.

The event will begin with a luncheon and an awards reception, followed by two workshop sessions. This year’s conference is focused on how communities have enabled meaningful, long-lasting change. The conference will feature a range of speakers who will speak about how large and small changes have led to community revitalization and sustainable growth for years to come.

Speakers include:

· Juli Beth Hinds, Principal at Birchline Planning, and Staff Research Associate and Instructor at University of California, San Diego

· Gretchen Havreluk, Business Consultant at Ingram & May

· Skye Morse, Vice President and Principal at M&S Development

· Eric Vorwald, Planning and Zoning Manager for City of Winooski

· Mike Miller, Planning Director for City of Montpelier

· Steve Lotspeich, former Planning and Zoning Director for Town of Waterbury

Attendees can earn up to 3 AICP CM credits. Event details are listed on the APA website: 2023 VPA Spring Conference: Revitalizing Downtowns and Village Centers: How your community can make it happen (planning.org).

Click here to register: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=5fbfdn4ab&oeidk=a07ejr5lpyt6acb645a.

Vermont Energy and Climate Network Spring Summit

Community Energy Committee Leader Gathering

Saturday, June 3rd | 9am - 1pm @ Middlebury College

Community leaders! Reconnect, share ideas, strategize, and prepare to collaborate on timely issues and co-create opportunities.

Community News

Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week - May 22 - 28

Don’t Move Firewood!

Moving firewood can transport forest insects and diseases. Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in Vermont. Do you part to help and buy firewood where you burn it! Learn more at VTinvasives.org!

Community Recovery and Revitalization Awards (from CVEDC)

Governor Scott announced the 23 businesses who were awarded funding in the second round of the Community Recovery and Revitalization Program. These awards totaled $9,541,195, which is expected to support $92,206,478 in total project costs.

The 23 projects are expected to support 844 existing jobs and enable the creation of 115 new jobs, 29 new affordable housing units, and 146 new childcare slots for low- to moderate-income families.

In our region, the awards announced thus far have gone to:

Neck of the Woods, Waitsfield

Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Barre

Edward Farrar Utility District, Waterbury

Montessori School of Central Vermont, East Montpelier

Turning Point of Central Vermont, Barre

Vermont Granite Museum of Barre

This program is still accepting applications and a final round of awardees will be announced this summer.

RFPs & Grant Information

Highway Safety Improvement Program Small Scale Grants

The state has rolled out a new Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant-for small scale projects on TOWN roads. Funding for these grants will be 100% from the State and is to cover construction only (from $5,000-$35,000).

Projects may be combinations of any of the following:

• Signage

• Striping

• Clearing

• Breakaway devices

The link for more information is 2023 Small Scale HSIP Grant Guide.pdf (vermont.gov). There is a webinar that is scheduled for May 16, 2023 1:00 to 2:00 PM. The above link has the webinar information and were to find the recording of it if you are unable to attend on that date. If you need any assistance in this process, please contact Keith Cubbon - cubbon@cvregion.com. We are here to help.

Creative Futures Grant Program

The Vermont Arts Council is now accepting applications for the final round of its Creative Futures Grants to help the creative sector recover from economic losses due to the pandemic.

Grants of up to $200,000 will be available to creative sector nonprofits and for-profit entities that can demonstrate economic harm caused by or exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Grant amounts, which will be based on 2019 (pre-pandemic) operating revenue, may be used to cover a wide range of regular operating expenses, including payroll and office expenses; rent, mortgage, and utilities; and costs associated with ongoing Covid-19 mitigation and prevention.

The creative sector economy is defined as the collective enterprises, organizations, and individuals whose products and services are rooted in artistic and creative content. Seven segments comprise Vermont’s creative economy: culture and heritage; design; film and media; literary arts & publishing; performing arts; specialty foods; and visual arts and crafts.

The deadline for applications is June 30. Full details at vermontartscouncil.org/creativefutures.

Upcoming Meetings

In addition to a physical location, CVRPC will provide a video or call in option for all meetings (see agendas on our website for details).

May

May 9 6 pm Executive Committee Special Meeting

May 9 6:30 pm Board of Commissioners

May 10 6:30 Regional Emergency Management Committee

May 18 1 pm Winooski Basin Water Quality Council

May 23 6:30 pm Transportation Advisory Committee

STAY CONNECTED