Weekly News Roundup

January 6, 2023

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Upcoming Events

Climate & Energy 2023 Legislative Look Forward Webinar

January 9th, 2023, at 12:00 PM

The 2023 legislative session is about to commence! What are the prospects for essential climate action? Join members of the Act on Climate Coalition on January 9th to find out. Hear how the recent election has changed the landscape and makeup of the Vermont State House; get an update on anticipated new (or improved) policies likely to be considered this session, including affordable, cleaner heat, a modernized Renewable Energy Standard, and transportation transformation opportunities and find out how you can get involved in pursuing equitable, ambitious climate action. There will be opportunity to ask and get your big questions answered. Find out more and register to attend here! 


Complete Streets: Connecting Communities Through Multi-Modal Transportation

January 18th, 2023, at 12:00 PM

This virtual workshop will overview how communities can support the planning, design, and implementation of Complete Streets and build a cleaner, more equitable, and accessible transportation future for Vermont! Learn More and Register to Attend Here!


Community-Led Resilience Hubs

February 1st, 2023, at 12:00 PM

This virtual will overview an effort underway to develop Community-Led Resilience Hubs. Through regionally-specific, community-led design, we can support Vermont communities in building climate-resiliency. Join us to learn more and identify ways your community can plug in and support existing efforts underway! Learn More and Register to Attend Here!



Community News

Better Buildings by Design Conference Scholarship Applications Are Now Open

Efficiency Vermont’s Better Buildings by Design conference scholarship applications are now open. We are offering scholarships to both students and community partners, including energy committees, to attend the 2023 BBD conference. This year’s theme will be Mission to No Emissions: Connect, Create, Innovate. The conference will take place on April 5th & 6th at the DoubleTree Hilton Burlington Hotel in South Burlington.

 

You can find the details about the scholarship opportunities below:

 

Applications are due March 1st, 2023. 


Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance Pilot

From safer, walkable, universally accessible streets to more green spaces, the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) in partnership with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is excited to announce the launch of a technical assistance pilot to support community-led design, placemaking, and healthy equity projects across Vermont.

  

VDH and DHCD invite eligible Vermont communities* and residents over 18 years of age to apply for the Health Equity and Community Design Technical Assistance (TA) Pilot. Approximately 20 to 35 communities will be accepted for in-person and virtual engagement sessions between December 2022 and October 2023.

 

  • The TA Pilot will provide extra capacity and resources to communities to develop healthy community design and placemaking plans, ideas, and projects that center on equity.
  • The TA Pilot will also help prepare communities that are interested in, but not yet ready to apply for, DHCD’s Better Places placemaking grants.

 

Trusted community members who want to be directly involved in bringing health equity to their community are also encouraged to apply to be a Health Equity Ambassador.

 

Ambassadors are important to the success and sustainability of the TA pilot. Ambassadors will:

  • support and co-lead on navigating community issues and opportunities
  • engage community members, stakeholders, and state and local agencies
  • co-develop community ideas and action plans to advance health equity in their community
  • receive training and compensation for their time and contributions in support of local communities

 

Visit the Healthy Communities Vermont website to learn more.

 

*Communities are flexibly defined, and may include nonprofits, municipalities, and volunteer groups.

RFPs, Grant Information, Applications, and Deadlines

Downtown Transportation Fund and Clean Water Funding Applications Available

The Department of Housing and Community Development is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $3,600,000 in Downtown Transportation Fund Grants (DTF) to support revitalization efforts in Designated Downtowns and eligible Designated Village Centers. The maximum grant amount is $200,000 with a 20% match requirement. 

 

Eligibility for Designated Village Centers

The Downtown Transportation Fund has expanded eligibility to Designated Village Centers that have participated in the Better Connections Program administered by the Vermont Agency of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Community Development and Designated Village Centers within Chittenden County that have completed a comprehensive downtown/village center/community area planning process with public input, comparable to the Better Connections Program. See the program application for a full list of eligible municipalities.

 

Additional Clean Water Funding Available:

The Downtown Transportation Fund (DTF) has additional funding from the State of Vermont’s Clean Water Budget, sourced from the Clean Water Fund for projects that incorporate eligible storm water components including planning, engineering, design and implementation. The maximum grant amount is $200,000 with a 20% match requirement. 

 

The Clean Water Fund supports projects that plan for and implement stormwater management practices that help improve water quality by reducing water pollution, such as phosphorus and sediment, caused by stormwater runoff and erosion. Examples of eligible clean water projects can be found on the Department of Environmental Conservation Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) web page. The Vermont Green Streets Guide is a resource to help you plan, design and maintain your clean water project.

 

Application Deadline: January 31, 2023 @ 5:00 p.m.

Please allow time for preliminary Historic Preservation Review of your project as part of the application process.

See the 2023 Downtown Transportation Fund and Clean Water Initiative Funding  guidance and applications for complete details of the programs.

 

Please contact Gary Holloway, the Downtown Program Manager at 802-522-2444 if you have questions or need assistance. Applicants are strongly encouraged to set up a preapplication meeting to discuss project ideas.

  • Learn more about how Downtown Transportation Fund investments can transform your downtown at our blog post.



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).


January

Jan 10 6:15 pm Executive Committee - Special Meeting

Jan 10 6:30 pm Board of Commissioners

Jan 12 4 pm Clean Water Advisory Committee

Jan 16 Office Closed Holiday

Jan 19 1 pm Winooski Basin Water Quality Council

Jan 24 6:30 pm Transportation Advisory Committee


February

Feb 6 4 pm Executive Committee

Feb 14 6:30 pm Board of Commissioners

Feb 16 1 pm Winooski Basin Water Quality Council

Feb 20 Office Closed Holiday

Feb 28 6:30 pm Transportation Advisory Committee


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