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Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Economic Steering Committee announces public forums

Submitted by tim on

Vermont Business MagazineThe Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC)steering committeewill host a series of public forumsto gather input from Vermonterson how to leverage and strengthen the State’s outdoor recreation assets to growthe economy. The first is September 12 and they run through October 24.

The dates and locationsof the public forumsare:

  • Tuesday, September 12th:Best Western Plus, 45 Blush Hill Rd, Waterbury,6-8 pm.
  • Monday, September 25th:Island Pond Town Hall, 49 Mill St, Island Pond,6-8 pm.
  • Tuesday, October 3rd: Community College of Vermont, 60 West St, Rutland,6-8 pm.
  • Tuesday, October 10th:  St. Albans City Hall, 100 North Main Street, St. Albans,6-8 pm.
  • Monday, October 16th: The Evening Star Grange, 1008 East-West Rd, EastDummerston,6-8 pm.
  • Monday, October 23rd: Hartford Town Hall, 171 Bridge St White River Junction,6-8 pm.
  • Tuesday, October 24th:West Mountain Inn, 144 W. Mountain Inn Rd, Arlington,6-8 pm.

The publicforums will be open house style, and will solicit feedback and ideas on how Vermont might achieve the following principal objectives identified by the private-public steering committee:

  1. Promote business opportunities.
  2. Increase participation opportunities.
  3. Strengthen the quality andextentof our recreational resources.
  4. Strengthen the stewardship of our recreational resources.

“We hopethatlocal businesses, public officials, organizations and the public will provide their ideas about specific actionsrelated to our four main objectives,”saidMichael Snyder,Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation andVOREC chair.“VOREC can only be successful throughinclusion andcollaboration with all stakeholders, so we want to hear from all Vermonters.”

In June,Governor Phil Scott signed anExecutive Ordertasking the 15-member steering committee to provide recommendations on how to promote prudent stewardship and economic growth. Input from public forums will be incorporated into the recommendations.

"There is genuine consensus among the VOREC committee that a stronger outdoor recreation economy in Vermont has the ability to benefit other economic sectors across the state as well,” said Drew Simmons, VOREC member and owner of Pale Morning Media in Waitsfield.

For peoplewho cannot attend anin-person meeting, or prefer to submit their ideas electronically,an online survey will go live onSeptember 12thon the VOREC webpage:www.fpr.vermont.gov/VOREC.For more information about this initiative, please visitwww.fpr.vermont.gov/VOREC.

Source:Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation8.24.2017