The Northeastern Vermont Development Association, a planning and development organization serving Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties, has released its monthly report on economic development issues for March.
Downtown Newport
Proposed AnC Bioproject continues through the permit pipeline, according to Alex MacLean, EB-5 Jay Peak Project Manager.
The AnC Bio building design has been adapted to reflect city zoning, including a new bylaw change about building heights.Newport's Planning Commission adopted new language in February to allow buildings taller than 72 feet to be built as long as the city fire chief signs offon the height. The original design was a multiple story office tower, close to 100 feet tall.The new design, in compliance, has variable heights and a wider base.The project, under the name Jay Peak Biomedical Research Park,moves on through the permit pipeline forreview by Newport's DevelopmentReview Board. Act 250 review will follow.
Jay Peak Resort
Jay PeakRecreation Center The Town of Jay Planning/Zoning Commission unanimously approved a permit to build a 7,500 sq. foot indoor recreation centernear the Stateside Hotel site.The facilitywill include a multi-level climbing wall and ropes course,movie theater, bowling alley, arcade, and concession area to provide guests with indoor recreation opportunities year around, regardless of the weather.Next, plans arescheduled to bereviewed by the District 7 Environmental Commission for an Act 250 permit.
Newport State Airport
Project updates by Guy Rouelle, VTRANS Aeronautics Administrator: [email protected] (802) 828-2833 http://aviation.vermont.gov
The VT Agency of Transportation has applied for an Act 250 permit amendment for the airport's$11.4 million expansion, enhancing the site as an integral part of the regional development plan andcentral hub of the NEK foreign trade zone. Following this review, VTrans will apply to the Federal Aviation Administration forfederal funding to cover 90% of the initial construction cost fora 1,000 ft. runway extension, a new snow removal shed for equipment,a larger apron,on-site septic system, and a new well. The FAA has accepted forecast studies that show a need for the long-awaitedexpansionand the Agency has given a green light for the application.
Workforce Development & Job Training
NEK Workforce Development Initiative
Vision: To insure a job-ready workforce is available locally in the short and long term, and graduate our youth or unemployed/under-employed into existing and anticipated jobs.
Mission: To build a system to support career pathways for Vermonters to take advantage of existing and anticipated employment opportunities in industry sectors with livable wage jobs.
This month Cindy Robillard, representing the VT Department of Labor,brought together professionals involved in workforce training in the St. Johnsbury-Lyndonville labor market area to form NEK South Education Team. This targeted effort will assist businesses and employees in the region's southern tier. Representatives from educational organizations and economic development service providers will connect every 4-6 weeks to collaborate on current career and job training activity and explore opportunities for future projects.St. Johnsbury Academy, Lyndon Institute, Lyndon State College, Community College of VT, NEK Learning Services, NVDA, and the VT Association of Business Industry & Rehabilitationare involved in this effort.
Questions about NEK Workforce Development & Job Training may be directed to: Cindy Robillard, VDOL (802)748-6275 [email protected]
Transportation
NEK Transportation Infrastructure Study
The Draft Alternative Recommendations Report is currently being reviewed by the Steering Committee. The report will be revised based on steering comments and presented to the public for review by mid April. The final round of public meetings will be held during late April and early May. The report includes recommendations for intersection and highway access improvements in Newport City, Derby, Burke and Lyndon, as well astransit options throughout the region. For more information contact Doug Morton, Transportation Planner [email protected](802) 748-1221
http://www.nvda.net/files/NEK_Future%20Conditions%2010282013.pdf
Economic DevelopmentCoordination
Foreign Trade Zone Opportunities for Agribusiness, Food Processing & Technology Cluster- In the 2012 FTZ Annual Report to Congress it was reported that food, beverages/spiritsproducts imported into the United States were worth $627,000,000.
Warehousing and Distribution - Most food and beverage companies used zones for warehousing and distribution benefits. Historically most warehousing activities have occurred within General Purpose (Magnet) sites. Warehousing benefits include direct delivery; breaking and affixing customs seals; deferred payment of tariffs; quarterly Harbor Maintenance Fee payments; the ability to warehouse stock until sold without payment of duty; weekly entry; and reduced Customs Processing Fees.
Food Processing in Foreign Trade Zones - Typically the FTZ Board limits food and beverage manufacturing to export only if imported foodstuffs are used during manufacturing. This is due to the involvement of very strong agricultural lobbies. Food and beverage products manufactured using domestic foodstuffs with imported packaging have been able to take advantage of export and inverted tariff benefits more readily.
Foreign Trade Zone Benefits for the Biomedical/Biomechanical Cluster
The pharmaceutical industry has been one of the biggest users of the FTZ program over the last several decades. While pharmaceutical corporations warehoused roughly $1,007,000,000 worth of finished products in 2012, most pharmaceutical companies were involved in manufacturing for tariff exemption and inverted tariff benefits.
Biomedical/Biomechanical industries are a much newer phenomenon. In 2013, the optical, photographic and medical instrument industries imported an estimated $420,000,000 worth of products for warehousing and distribution activities. Optical, photographic and medical instrument companies imported roughly $195,000,000 of raw materials and intermediate products for manufacturing activities.
Biomedical/Biomechanical warehousing benefits include direct delivery; breaking and affixing customs seals; deferred payment of tariffs; quarterly Harbor Maintenance Feepayments; theability to warehouse stock until sold without payment of duty; weekly entry; and reduced Customs Processing Fees.
For more information about Foreign Trade Zone benefitsor FTZ#286, contactDavid Snedeker at[email protected]
Newport City Renaissance Corporation www.discovernewportvt.com :
Economic Restructuring Committee- 2nd Thursday, 8-9 AM in large 2nd floor Conference Room / Hebard State Building (100 Main St.)
Design Committee-3rd Friday, 8-9 AM in the Community Financial Services Group(CFSG) office,2nd floor / Hebard State Building
Promotion Committee- 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.