The’Spates Block in Downtown Newport - Bill Stenger and Ariel Quiros now own the Spates Block on Main Street and plans are moving forward for the new commercial space soon to be’called the Renaissance Block. Demolition and’construction will begin’this summer on the’$50 million EB-5 project.’Newport City planners are involved with the architectural design of the Renaissance Block and the permit’process.’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘
Jay Peak Resort
A ribbon-cutting ceremony’was held at Jay Peak’on December 19th to celebrate the’official opening of the’new Stateside Hotel and Lodge -- all 84 rooms were booked’the first weekend.’Dozens of contractors, employees, local, state and federal officials including Gov. Peter Shumlin, attended the celebration. Since 2009, over 3,000 construction jobs have been’created and sustained’at the resort for facilities upgrades and expansion projects including the Tramhaus Lodge, Stateside Hotel, Jay Hotel,’ice arena and indoor water park. The development work at Jay Peak is in Bill Stenger's words,’"about job creation and year-round employment.’All of these projects were designed to do that."’With construction starting in Newport, he expects builders to be at work in the area for another six years!’‘‘
Q Burke Mountain’
Kingdom Trails and Q Burke are focusing on their future working relationship. The ski resort and the nonprofit trail network organization have had a long-standing connection.’In 2010, Kingdom Trails coordinated efforts with’Burke for lift access, mountain biking’and Nordic skiing operations. Kingdom Trails invested heavily in the Burke Bike Park, committed resources, established events, and managed and maintained trails. In December, in an effort to confront’financial realities at Q Burke Mountain and to ensure successful operations’in the future,’the two parties began discussing the logistics’involved in establishing a new partnership. They will work to ensure’that the mountain,’the community and Kingdom Trails continue to benefit and flourish’as one of the best mountain bike destinations in the country.’Until’a new formula is agreed upon,’Kingdom Trails Nordic Center, previously’located on Dashney Road at the ski resort, has been relocated for the winter to nearby Darling Hill.’‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘
Newport State Airport
A public meeting was held at the airport in late December to review the public-private partnership to expand the Newport State Airport in Coventry, and update proposed development and improvements. Work in 2014 will include a 1,000 sq.ft. runway extension, apron expansion, Phase 1 of the terminal building construction, a maintenance building, and groundbreaking for an aircraft manufacturing and assembly facility: Flight Design Americas. Applications for Act 250 permitting will begin in January.
Questions can be directed to Jed Merrow, Project Manager for the planning and engineering firm McFarland Johnson. [email protected] (603) 225-2978’
Flight Design Americas, LLC is now owned by the Quiros family and’will create new full-time jobs in Coventry for the’small plane industry. The former president of Flight Design USA will remain with the company as manager. Over the next three years more than 100 skilled’jobs for engineers, trained mechanics and assembly workers’will be needed to manufacture airplane parts for the ultra-light C-4 planes. One of the advantages of locating the company in the NEK is the new Foreign Trade Zone designation which will allow Flight Design to cut 11.5 percent from the cost of its planes.
Job Training & Workforce Development
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North Country Career Center Adult Education:’‘
Newport Furniture Parts is working with North Country Career Center and Northeast Kingdom Learning Services to design custom computer courses for their employees. The training is taking place at NCCC.’Area employers seeking information’or assistance in designing a course that matches’industry needs’and the growing economy should contact’Gwen Bailey-Rowe, Assistant Director for Adult Education at NCCC [email protected] (802)334-5469 x3305
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Thoughts, Ideas and Questions relating to NEK Workforce Development may be directed to: Cindy Robillard, VT Department of Labor (802)748-6275 [email protected];’Ann Nygard [email protected];’Mercedes Pour-Previti [email protected]; Eileen Illuzzi’[email protected]
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Transportation
Doug Morton, Transportation Planner (802) 748-1221 [email protected]’
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Jay Peak Commuter Program’
Jay Peak Resort and VTrans Go Vermont! have formed a partnership to provide a commuter program for resort employees. Carpools and’vanpools will provide reliable transportation, and’commuters riding’back and forth to work will save money!’http://www.connectingcommuters.org or contact Tom Howell (802)988-2723 [email protected]
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Economic Development’Coordination’‘‘‘
Foreign Trade Zone #286
The benefits of foreign trade zones are many, but many companies still ponder whether their company is ready for participation: "Is an FTZ right for me?" Below are some questions to consider:
Do you have a significant import volume?
Are you assembling goods in the US and could you benefit from inverted tariffs (or paying the duty rate on a finished good vs. each component part)?
Would your company benefit from duty deferral or paying duties as you use or consume the product vs. paying up front?
Would your company benefit from being able to perform one customs entry or a merchandise processing fee (MPF) per week vs. making multiple MPF entries per week? (This can translate into significant savings, given that the maximum weekly MPF entry is capped at $485 for companies operating in a zone, compared to filers who pay between $25 and $485 for individual entries. The savings can quickly add up.)
Companies’interested in applying for production authority in a zone should perform a cost-benefit analysis to make sure that the FTZ benefits outweigh the costs of operating in the zone. NVDA has a Duty Savings Estimator Calculator to assist you.’‘
Whether you run a small imports business or large manufacturing plant in the US, it's important to determine if a foreign trade zone can give you the competitive edge you need to maintain and expand your operations. Contact David Snedeker [email protected] (802) 748-8303 for assistance.’‘‘‘
Newport City Renaissance Corporation
Economic Restructuring: 2nd Thursday, 8-9 AM in large 2nd floor Conference Room / Hebard State Building (100 Main St.)
Design: 3rd Friday, 8-9 AM in the Community Financial Services Group’(CFSG) office,’2nd floor / Hebard State Building
Promotion: 3rd Tuesday, 8-9 AM in Conference Room of CFSG office, 2nd floor / Hebard State Building’
Community Commons meetings and potluck suppers are on the 3rd Wednesday, 6-8 PM in The Gateway.
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