Northwest Regional Planning Commission Awarded $180,000 EPA Grant for Brownfields Development
The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) has been awarded $180,000 in Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (Revolving Loan) supplemental funds to recapitalize its Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund.
This grant will continue to support redevelopment of brownfields sites in Franklin and Grand Isle counties.
A brownfield is a vacant or underused property where redev
elopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Through the Brownfields program, NRPC provides loans and subgrants to support the assessment and clean-up of these sites, spurring private development and encouraging revitalization.
To date, the program has brought $3M in federal funding to the region. Previously, NRPC has provided Brownfields funding for the Ace Hardware
Development in Swanton and the Congress & Main Development in St. Albans City. This year, NRPC plans to support Brownfields clean-up at the former Fonda manufacturing site in St. Albans City, along with other projects in the region.
NRPC Brownfields projects have transformed polluted sites into affordable housing, new jobs, green spaces and recreation areas. The program has helped developers, owners and the community better understand how to address contaminated properties and put them back into use for the good of the community. For more information on the Northwest Region Brownfields Program and how to apply for assistance click here. For questions, please contact Greta Brunswick, Senior Planner at NRPC at 524-5958 or via e-mail.
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Grant Program Funds 5 Stormwater Projects in Franklin County & Announces Next Round of Applications
The Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) will be working in partnership with local municipalities and schools on five projects that received funding to treat stormwater from developed areas. These projects received State of Vermont's Design Implementation Block Grant funding this past spring to design and/or implement projects that have a primary purpose of improving water quality by reducing nutrient and sediment pollution. One of the projects is for construction and four projects will result in construction ready design plans.
Highgate Elementary School
The Highgate School has been working with NRPC and partners to design stormwater treatment on its campus and the preferred option was to install a series of underground stormwater chambers beneath the parking lot. This option also fit the timing of planned capital improvements to reconstruct the parking lot. The School received funding for the installation of the stormwater treatment and the construction of the stormwater practice and capital project are currently underway.
St. Albans City
The City of St. Albans received grant funding for two design projects. The City will continue design work for the SASH/Nason Street project in the Rugg Brook watershed for a gravel wetland to treat stormwater from the SASH and adjacent development. The City will also begin to explore opportunities for stormwater treatment along Lemnah Drive in the Stevens Brook watershed. These projects are priorities identified in Flow Restoration Plans and represent opportunities to site practices on municipal property as well as on land with limited existing infrastructure conflicts.
Town of Richford
The Town of Richford received grant funding to two design projects; both projects were identified in the Town's Stormwater Master Plan. The first project will evaluate a section of paved swale along Route 105 that drains to Maple Street for a conversion to a vegetated swale with check dams. The second project will develop designs for a bioswale to treat stormwater along the School Access Road as well as assess the size of the culvert crossing.
Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission
is currently accepting grant applications for the third round of funding; applications close on July 10th.
These funds are to be used to support the preliminary design, final design and construction of clean water projects throughout the state.
For a comprehensive list of eligible projects, and to access the application form and related application materials, please visit the
Design/Implementation Block Grant webpage
.
Contact Amanda Holland at NRPC for assistance with an application.
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Lend Your Voice to the Vermont/National Commute Survey
The commutes of many Vermonters have changed significantly due to COVID-19, with many shifting to telecommuting. Now that workplaces are starting to open back up, transportation planners in Vermont are interested in understanding the potential changes in work travel.
Transportation partners across Vermont invite you to provide feedback on how COVID-19 may impact your commutes to work. Results from the survey will provide important information to transportation providers, policy makers, and employers on how to meet the needs of commuters and help ensure your return to the work site is safe and reliable.
Complete the survey online (takes about 5 minutes) here.
The survey is open until July 3, 2020.
The survey can be completed by all individuals currently working or planning to return to work in the coming months.
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Northern Vermont's Economic Development Goals Survey
The Northern Vermont Economic Development District is made up of Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans, Caledonia and Essex counties. Every five years the district must update its plan known as the comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS). This plan outlines goals and strategies for a regional approach to economic development and assists in bringing funding into the district for projects that support and improve the economy in northern Vermont.
Public input is a critical part of this process and we would appreciate a few minutes of your time to complete this survey. Your input will be helpful as we update the plan.
Find the survey here.
If you have any questions or would prefer to send comments via email, please contact Karen E . Geraghty, Economic Development Specialist at Northeastern Vermont Development Association via email (
[email protected]) or phone (334-5861).
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Healthy Roots Collaborative Update & Gleaning Volunteers Needed
The Healthy Roots Collaborative gleaning program is starting to hold field gleans again at local farms. Healthy Roots has developed new COVID-19 guidelines in place to help keep volunteers and partners safe. Please visit the
Vermont Gleaning Collective to become a gleaner and volunteer with Healthy Roots this season. Volunteers are needed to help harvest produce and deliver food to recipient sites. Please contact Peter Jenkins, Healthy Roots Collaborative Gleaning Coordinator to learn more:
[email protected]
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| Healthy Roots has played a vital role in the Shiftmeals program by distributing free meals throughout Franklin & Grand Isle Counties. |
The Healthy Roots Collaborative continues to support
the Northwest and Bay Farmers market by supporting the online ordering system.
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2020 Municipal Planning Grants
Do you have the information, tools and resources you need to make the place you call home better? Do you want to make your city or town more attractive, vibrant, and prosperous? Did you know that
Municipal Planning Grants have helped communities just like yours implement town plan recommendations and jump start initiatives to find wastewater solutions, update zoning regulations to increase local housing options, and develop strategic plans to diversify the local economy?
Towns may apply for up to $22,000 and joint applications from several municipalities (a consortium) may apply for up to $35,000. A wide range of municipal planning and implementation activities are eligible for funding. This year ACCD has added a new category for projects that plan for economic recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.
Please review the
Program Description for eligibility requirements.
A
pplication Deadline:
October 1, 2020 @ 6:00 p.m.
If you would like assistance preparing a grant application or advice about a project idea, please contact Emily Klofft at
[email protected]
or Greta Brunswick at
[email protected]
. Questions about the Municipal Planning Grants can also be directed to Jennifer Lavoie at
[email protected]
or at 828-1948.
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Route 104A Bridge Replacement: Bridge #1 over Arrow Head Lake
Bridge Closure
July 15, 2020 through August 19, 2020
Originally constructed in 1937, the bridge is now structurally deficient and has substandard travel lanes and shoulder widths. The new bridge will be wider to match the VT Route 104A corridor and will be slightly higher than its current elevation above the surface water, as well as other improvements.
The bridge construction incorporates both accelerated and conventional construction methods. For more information see the project fact sheet here.
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Transportation Construction Updates
US Route 2: North Hero-Grand Isle Drawbridge
Project Type:
Bridge Replacement
Target Construction Schedule: April 2018 - July 2023
Closures:
Short-term delays throughout construction period
Project Name: NORTH HERO-GRAND ISLE BHF 028-1(26)
VTrans is replacing the North Hero-Grand Isle Drawbridge, traffic has been directed onto a temporary 2-lane drawbridge during replacement. Due to the construction suspension during the Stay Home, Stay Safe order the construction schedule has been extended from July 2022 to July 2023. For more information see the
project website.
VT Route 105: Richford to Jay
Project Type: Pavement Resurfacing
Target Construction Schedule: July 2020 - October 2021
Project Name: RICHFORD-JAY STP 2914(1)
VTrans is resurfacing Route 105 starting 2.5 miles east of the Berkshire-Richford town line and extending easterly 7.4 miles. Most paving is anticipated to be completed in 2020. See the
project fact sheet for more information
VT Route 36, South Road and Soule Drive: Fairfield
Project Type: Sidewalk Construction
Target Construction Schedule: Mid-May 2020- Fall 2020
Project Name: FAIRFIELD STP BP13(7)
The Town of Fairfield, funded through a VTrans grant program, will construct 2,400 feet of sidewalk and pedestrian improvements in the village center.
VT Route 108: Sheldon
Project Type:
Drainage and sidewalk construction
Target Construction Schedule:
Construction beginning in July 2020 but most of the work will be in the 2021 construction season.
Project Name:
Bakersfield STP SCRP(11) Main Street
The project will
improve the existing drainage system and roadway surfaces of any deficiencies to promote safety and mobility for motorist, pedestrians, and bicyclist. Curbing will be installed north of the intersection of VT Route 108 and VT Route 36 to provide access management. The existing sidewalk will be extended north to the end of the project, beyond Egypt Road.
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Farm to Plate Strategic Plan Survey
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund and Farm to Plate Network are in the process of updating the Farm to Plate Strategic Plan - Vermont's legislatively enabled statewide food system plan. Your voice matters - we need your input to develop a new vision for farming and food, and prioritize how we support and develop food and agriculture in the next decade! By answering the survey questions you'll be adding your voice to the plan and helping to shape the next 10 years of farm and food development in Vermont.
Your voice is valuable. Share your input on the future of farming and food in Vermont here.
Answering the questions will take about 15-20 minutes.
Completed surveys will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 gift certificate to a farmer's market of the winner's choice.
We also encourage food and farming organizations in Vermont to share this survey and opportunity with their members to help get the word out to capture as many voices as possible.
Thank you for your time and contributions to this important effort!
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U.S. Decennial Census
Every ten years, the U.S. Constitution requires an enumeration of all perso
ns in the Un
ited States, commonly referred to as The Census. For the next ten years, the numbers produced in this effort will help determine how more than $675 billion will be distributed to states and localities annually through more than 65 federal programs. These programs include special education funding, school lunch programs, Meals on W
heels, fuel assistance, Medicare, housing rehabilitation, community economic development and revitalization block grants, early childhood education, cooperative extension offices, and more.
This year, people will have the option of responding online, on the telephone, or with a traditional, short-form written response. Look for your invitation to respond in the mail or at your door. It is critical that everyone participate and that all household members be included. Make sure that your community counts!
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