Regional Notes | March 2023

Good afternoon,

As March comes to an end, we hope you're enjoying the slightly warmer temperatures and longer days. At CCRPC, we are continuing to finalize our work plan and budget for the year ahead, staying involved in municipal and legislative priorities, and working on many projects in our communities -- such as the Battery Street Corridor Scoping Study in Burlington, which has a new public survey out; supporting the Chittenden County Communications Union District to deliver fiber speed internet to all unserved/underserved residents and businesses; and much more. We've also begun reaching out to our member municipalities to request appointments to our Board and committees for FY24, which begins July 1. Please stay tuned for updates and reach out to us if you have any questions.

Looking ahead to April, it's Fair Housing Month -- a time to reflect on and celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act with a series of public education and art events coordinated by the Fair Housing Project of CVOEO, in collaboration with many other partners. Fair Housing Month events and activities raise awareness about housing discrimination in Vermont and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. Visit the Fair Housing Month website for upcoming events and information on how to participate. These events are great education opportunities and may be particularly helpful for municipalities facing opposition to more equitable housing.

This legislative session, increasing the supply of housing has been a major priority. A lack of housing supply and an increase in demand has led to a dramatic increase in home prices for Vermonters (up 15% between 2021 and 2022, according to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency). Solving the housing crisis requires State and municipal legislative changes and funding. S.100, Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (HOME), has passed the Senate today and will be considered by the House in the coming weeks. We and other regional planning commissions and municipalities will continue to provide information and options to the legislature for their consideration. Please make your voices heard as well. By working together, we can move toward a regional housing market that serves people of all backgrounds and incomes.

Best regards,

Charlie Baker

Executive Director, CCRPC

OF NOTE

CCRPC Summer Interns Needed - Application Deadline: April 7

The CCRPC seeks to hire five interns for the summer months (June-August) of 2023. The position is mainly field data collection. View the job description.

Coming Soon: FY24 CCRPC Committee Appointment Requests

CCRPC has begun the process of reaching out to member municipalities to request that their legislative bodies take action to appoint representatives and alternates to CCRPC committees. Half of every CCRPC committee gets appointed every fiscal year. Please stay tuned for more information, and contact Emma Vaughn with any questions about the appointment process in the meantime.

TRANSPORTATION

Battery Street Corridor Scoping Study: Take the Survey!

The Battery Street Corridor Scoping Study in Burlington is underway, and a project survey has been released to gather public input. Learn More »

Exit 16 DDI Project Update

Starting Monday, April 3, and continuing through the next week, crews will begin blasting activities behind the bridge piers on the west side of the interstate bridges over U.S. Routes 2/7. This work will require the closure of the outermost southbound lane on U.S. 2/7 between the hours of 6am and 3pm. In addition, traffic will be temporarily impacted on U.S. 2/7 and I-89. For complete construction and traffic impact details, visit the project website.

South Burlington Climate Action Plan: Transportation Implementation Questionnaire

The South Burlington Climate Action Plan was adopted on October 3, 2022... now what? The Climate Action Implementation for the Transportation Sector is underway, and your input is needed! Take the Survey »

Park your CARbon: May 15-19

Want to try a different way of getting around? How about a healthy option, one that can save you some money and even be fun? You can reduce carbon pollution in Vermont and impact worldwide climate change by pledging to Park your CARbon. This is a one-week initiative to help change Vermonters' transportation and commuting habits by encouraging green ways of travel. Try it for a day, a week, or make it an ongoing habit. Bike. Walk. Share your ride. Work from home. Every trip counts. Even small ones! Take the Pledge.

Bike Me Out to the Ballgame: July 9

Join the CCRPC and other transportation partners as we sponsor the Lake Monster's Bike Me Out to the Ballgame on Sunday, July 9. All bike valet users get a free game ticket, and the first 100 fans who use valet bike parking receive free Monster Bucks to spend at the game. Keep an eye on the Lake Monsters promotions page for more details. Play ball!

CarShare Vermont Calculator: What's Your Car Costing You?

With monthly payments, insurance, gas or charging, and maintenance -- the cost of car ownership really adds up, even if you don't drive very often. But do you know your true total? Find out with CarShare Vermont's free, easy-to-use online calculator. This helpful tool will ask you about what kind of car you drive, how old it is, and some of your driving habits and expenses to come up with a customized total car cost. Learn More »

Transportation Projects & Updates

For a full list of current transportation projects, visit the CCRPC Transportation Advisory Committee webpage; a full project list is included in every TAC agenda and is updated regularly.

ECONOMY

Vermont Career Fair: April 20

Vermont's largest career fair will be held at the Champlain Valley Expo on April 20 from 10am-4pm. Learn More »

NBRC Catalyst Program Now Open; Letters of Interest Due April 21

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has opened the 2023 Catalyst Program grant application opportunity. The competitive Catalyst Program (formerly called the State Economic and Infrastructure Development competition) makes up to $44 million in grant funds available, approximately $11 million in Vermont, to stimulate economic growth and inspire partnerships that improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region. Learn More »

Chittenden County Communications Union District Request for Proposals Available

The Chittenden County Communications Union District (CCCUD) is seeking proposals from consultants to develop and manage requests for proposals from internet service providers -- and optionally provide ongoing project management services for the CCCUD. Proposals are due April 24. For more information on broadband in Chittenden County and the CCCUD, including membership, background information, and meeting agendas and minutes, visit the CCCUD webpage.

57 Businesses Ranked as Best Places to Work in Vermont

VermontBiz and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce revealed the ranking of the top 57 Best Places to Work in Vermont 2023. Learn More »

Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility 33rd Annual Conference: May 11

This full-day, in-person event will bring together thought leaders from throughout Vermont for provocative conversations inspired by a keynote address on "Seizing This Moment." Facilitated dialogues, panel discussions, and workshops follow and will focus on the leading-edge of social and environmental impact. Learn More & Register »

ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES

Friends of the Winooski Special Dinner: April 11

Celebrate 25 years of working together to restore the health of our watershed! Enjoy live music, recognition of volunteers, and a presentation by Tyler Brown, Wildlife Specialist with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, about beavers and their important role in shaping our river and wetland ecosystems. Ticket sales end on April 4 and are $40 each. Learn More »

VT Green Building Celebration: April 20

Join the Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN) for a celebratory evening with green building professionals, VGBN members, partners and friends on Thursday, April 20 at Main Street Landing in Burlington. Learn about inspiring commercial, residential and net zero buildings that create a new standard for environmentally responsible building in Vermont. Learn More »

Lake Champlain Basin Program Releases BIL-Funded Grants for Tree Nurseries, Wetlands Protection and Invasive Species Prevention

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) has released Requests for Proposals for three grant categories funded by the 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grants will support aquatic invasive species management, native tree nurseries for habitat conservation projects, and wetland restoration (in New York). Learn More »

UVM Students Offer Climate Recommendations to Underhill

The Town of Underhill is considering climate change recommendations developed and presented by UVM students. As part of an upper-level seminar in geography, and under the leadership of their professor, Lesley Ann Dupigny-Giroux, the students worked in collaboration with the town, state and federal agencies this past fall to come up with a plan to aid the town in natural-hazard mitigation. Learn More »

Earth Day is April 22

Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations. Learn More »

QUALITY OF PLACE

April is Fair Housing Month

Each April we celebrate the 1968 passage of the Fair Housing Act with a series of public education and art events to raise awareness about housing discrimination in Vermont and the positive role that inclusive, affordable housing plays in thriving communities. Learn More »

Statewide Fair Housing Survey

The State of Vermont is updating its fair housing plan and wants to hear about your experience with looking for housing, including housing discrimination. Please take a moment to complete the Housing Discrimination Survey.

Champlain Housing Trust Opens Second Round of Funding for Farmworker Housing Repair Loan Program

This program provides a loan up to $30,000 for farmers to make essential repairs and necessary improvements to their farmworker housing. The loan is forgiven over 10 years so long as the housing is maintained for farmworkers. Learn More »

State Program Funds New Homes for Middle- and Lower-Income Vermont Buyers

The Vermont Housing Finance Agency awarded $14.2 million to 12 projects totaling 92 homes across eight counties as part of the Missing Middle-Income Homeownership Development Pilot Program. The program represents the largest single investment in the state's history to create new homeownership opportunities. Learn More »

Vermont Celebrates 55th Anniversary of Billboard Ban

In the late 60s and early 70s, state lawmakers examined a number of environmental bills including Act 250, the bottle bill, and a billboard ban. The landmark billboard law is widely credited with helping Vermont maintain its rural natural scenery. Learn More »

SOCIAL COMMUNITY

Vermont Family Network 2023 Annual Conference: April 11

The Vermont Family Network's 2023 Annual Conference, "Inclusion and Well-Being," will be held on April 11 from 9am-1pm at the UVM Davis Center. In-person registration is closed but virtual attendance is welcome. Learn More & Register »

Howard Center Annual Spring Conference - "Breaking Barriers: Finding Purpose and Possibilities Together": April 19

Howard Center's 2023 annual spring conference will take place on April 19. Learn More & Register »

Request for Proposals: Ben & Jerry's Foundation 2023 Vermont Equity & Justice Grant

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation announced the opening of its 2023 Vermont Equity & Justice Grant program with an allocation of $300,000. Beginning this summer, the Ben & Jerry's Foundation will offer competitive grants of up to $20,000 to Vermont-based, non-profit organizations working to address racial, economic, social and environmental disparities in the state. Proposals may be submitted through an online application process by May 1 for review in early June. Learn More »

Resource Available: Vermont Health Equity Planning Toolkit

Municipalities, Regional Planning Commissions, State agency partners, non-profit/for-profit organizations, and Vermonters who are curious should find this document beneficial in determining how and why to take steps toward creating a healthier and more inclusive Vermont. These steps could include but are not limited to, improvements to policy, bylaws, community engagement, and infrastructure to promote healthy and inclusive communities. Learn More »

New Website: Northwest Vermont Prevention Network

The Prevention Network is made up of organizations and individuals from communities across Northwest Vermont who share a common goal of preventing substance misuse and promoting the wellbeing of youth and young adults. Learn More »

Vermont Works for Women Annual Impact Report

Inside the Vermont Works for Woman 2022 Impact Report, you will find a deeper dive into each program area, including participant and partnership highlights. Learn More »