Economic Development Projects in

Grand Isle County

Lake Champlain Islands Industrial Development Corporation is now accepting applications for the Grand Isle County Regional Priority Project List. The list consists of the top ten projects ranked by their anticipated economic impact. Projects are prioritized cooperatively with Northwest Regional Planning Commission. List members receive additional points on federal and state grant applications. Projects on the Grand Isle County list received 2.3 million dollars in grant awards from state and federal sources in 2023. To be considered your project must be shovel-ready or anticipate being shovel-ready in 2024. An application is available here or can be obtained by calling (802) 372-8400. Two public meetings will be held on Zoom to answer questions from potential applicants on October 2, 2023 from 11am to 12pm and again from 6pm to 7pm. The link to both public meetings is here.

Reminder: Electric Vehicle Charger Funding Available!

EV chargers can be a great employee perk, a draw for tenants, and an additional pull for public attractions. This program will help to fund the installation of chargers at businesses, multi-unit dwellings, and public attractions. For women or minority owned applicant sites, no match will be required. For non-profits, government agencies or multi-unit dwellings with 50% or more affordable housing units, there will be a 5% applicant match. For-profit organizations and multi-unit dwellings with 51% or more market rate units will have a 10% applicant match. The application along with more information can be found here. NRPC’s Energy and Climate Planner Marlena Valenta can be reached by email or at (802) 393-5055 for assistance with applications or questions regarding the program.

"Lake Lessons" Returns for Another School Year

Program Invites Local 4th Graders to Learn about Water Issues



NRPC staff are once again participating in “Lake Lessons,” a learning opportunity for local 4th graders held over two weeks and hosted at two area parks. Schools scheduled to participate in Lake Lessons in 2023 come from communities including Swanton, St. Albans City, St. Albans Town, Georgia, Highgate, and Fairfield.

Grand Isle County

Private Roads Project

NRPC is working on an analysis to identify top-priority projects around private roads that reduce sediment and nutrient runoff into the lake in Grand Isle, North Hero, and Isle La Motte. As part of the outreach work, we recently attended a conservation block party hosted by Grand Isle Natural Resource Conservation District and the South Hero Land Trust focused on water quality on private roads. We were able to put the word out about our work and chat with interested landowners about potential work on their private roads.

For more information on this project please contact Madeline Yandow by email or at (802) 524-5958.

NRPC Offers In-Person, Individual DRB Training

Conducting effective development review at the local level is not easy! Regular training for volunteer board members can help things run smoothly, protect due process and limit appeals. NRPC staff are available to provide individualized in-person training to Development Review Boards or Zoning Board of Adjustments in the region. Training topics could include running effective hearings, ensuring due process, deliberating and writing effective decisions, and other topics as needed. NRPC staff may also be available to provide other technical assistance to DRBs, such as preparing staff reports on applications. Reach out to Greta Brunswick to learn more or schedule a training.

The Lamoille Valley Rail Trail is a finalist competing against 11 other states’ transportation projects to win the top America’s Transportation Awards. The 93-mile, multi-use, all-season LVRT stretches across northern Vermont from Swanton to St. Johnsbury and is the longest rail trail in New England. Vote now here – and every day until 11/13! – to help the LVRT win this national honor that will elevate its status and bring more visitors to our state to experience the incredible LVRT.

The LVRT will compete against 11 other transportation projects from around the country for the two top honors: the Grand Prize (determined by a panel of judges) and the People’s Choice Award (chosen by the public through online voting). Both national prizes from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) come with a $10,000 cash award for a charity or transportation-related scholarship of the winners’ choosing.