Community News

The Vermont Clean Water Initiative 2022 Performance Report

This report (linked above) highlights water quality progress achieved through public investment. The Report details how $337 million of state investment in water quality projects over the last seven years has been put to work to reduce and prevent pollution washing into Vermont’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands. 

The Report also summarizes progress implementing Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog phosphorus pollution reduction requirements, necessary to restore water quality. In these lakes, excess phosphorus contributes to potentially toxic cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) blooms and excessive plant growth that can impact the lakes’ recreational use and harm aquatic life. 

The public is invited to explore summarized investment data, project output measures, estimated pollutant reduction, and cost effectiveness data from the Report in the Clean Water Interactive Dashboard.

Bylaw Modernization Awards

For FY23 The Vermont Department of Housing & Community Development made grant funds available from Act 182 intended to help municipalities confront the statewide housing shortage and prepare areas for new housing investments through zoning bylaw updates. Congratulations to two Central Vermont communities who were awarded funds.

Barre City has received $25,000 to hire a consultant to examine the community’s housing preferences and needs, identify ways to reduce barriers to creating additional and flexible types of housing, and draft amendments to their Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning Map. Waterbury has also received $25,000 to hire a consultant to assist them in engaging the public using an accessible and comprehensive public outreach strategy on the revision of their Unified Development Bylaws in an effort to modernize bylaws for increased density of housing within their walkable downtown.  

Survey on Vermont's GIS / Mapping Resources

The State of Vermont’s GIS / mapping group is interested in your thoughts on their open and public GIS data products and services as they update their 5-year strategic plan and aim to improve.

While planners play a key role as users and as a source of map data. It is also helpful for us to hear about the experience of using GIS / map products from non-GIS professionals.

The survey is here: https://forms.gle/sMEezBDXM8QGUbrv6

All users of Vermont’s public GIS data and resources are welcome to respond.

The survey should take ~15 minutes to complete.

It will be open until March 1, 2023. Please respond only once.

Not sure what the State of Vermont’s GIS groups have been up to? See 2022 VT GIS Year in Review, or a list of things done in the past 5 years.

NBRC Forest Economy Program (FEP) Now Open 

The Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) has opened its 2023 Forest Economy Program (FEP) competition. The Commission will make up to $7 million in grants available, with a maximum award of $1 million. Potential applicants must express interest through Letters of Interest (LOI) and will have two opportunities to submit: March 10, 2023 by 5pm, or September 15, 2023 by 5pm. For more information, including program materials and to register to attend FEP information sessions, visit the Northern Border Regional Commission FEP webpage.

AARP VT Accepting 2023 Community Challenge Grant Applications

Local eligible organizations and governments across the state are invited to apply for the 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant program, now through March 15 at 5:00 p.m. Grants fund quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public spaces, transportation, housing, civic engagement, diversity and inclusion.

The AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities, two of which are new this year. All projects must be consistent with AARP’s mission to serve the needs of people 50 and older. Priority will be given to proposals that are inclusive, address disparities, and directly engage volunteers age 50 and older.

·       New this year, capacity-building microgrants paired with resources, such as one-on-one coaching, webinars, cohort learning opportunities to improve walkability and starting or expanding a community garden.

·       Also new this year are demonstration grants, focused on transportation improvements and the other portion of will focus on promoting awareness of the benefits of accessory dwelling units as a housing solution.

·       AARP’s flagship opportunity supports projects that improve public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity and inclusion; digital connections; community health and economic empowerment; new this year community resilience; and civic engagement.

AARP VT is hosting an informational webinar on Thursday, February 9th from 12 -1 pm. Join in to learn about the 2023 Community Challenge grant program, new funding sources, the application process, and a new offering for eligible small non-profits in the form of grant writing coaches to help with the application process. Register for the webinar here.