NVDA News & Announcements
Next Legislative Breakfasts
Newport - Monday, May 16th, East Side Restaurant, 7:30-8:45 am / Senator Rodgers and Representatives Batchelor & Shaw; William Davies, Moderator
St. Johnsbury - Monday, May 23rd, St. Johnsbury House, 8:00-9:00 am / Gretchen Hammer, Moderator
Energy & Natural Resources:
- Vermont Clean Water Act - Two workshops: Tues, May 17th, 6 pm at NVDA, 36 Eastern Ave., St. Johnsbury / Tues, June 7th, 6 pm at The Gateway Center, Newport. The Vermont Clean Water Act (Act 64) focuses on reducing sediment and nutrient pollution. The workshops will provide an overview of Act 64; related water quality programs and permits; technical and financial incentives; and an introduction to the Lake Memphremagog TMDL and Tactical Basin Plans of the NEK. For more information, contact Frank Maloney [email protected] (802) 424-1419.
- Green Up Vermont! - 46th Annual Green Up Day is May 7th Communities around the state gather to collectively reduce the amount of litter dotting our roadsides and landscapes. Bags are available at local town offices. Visithttp://www.greenupvermont.org for more information.
Regional Events & Workshops:
- Vermont Community Development Association Spring Conference Tues, May 17th, 9:00 am-3:15 pm, State Office Complex, Waterbury. The 2016 program theme is:The Entrepreneurial Pipeline: The Role of Makerspaces, Co-working Spaces & Incubators. The focus is the creative economic development trend of flexible workplaces. The Foundry Workshop in Lyndon Center, the Food Venture Center in Hardwick, and Burke Mountain Confectionary will all be featured in the program. VCDA www.vtcda.org is a membership organization providing Vermonters with education and networking opportunities in community development since 1978. To register for the conference, contact Theresa Bachand [email protected] (802) 229-9111. Registration deadline is May 12.
- VtSBDC Workshop: Online Business Done Right the First Time May 25th, 9 am-Noon, NVDA, Eastern Ave, St. Johnsbury. Establishing a robust online presence for your small business is essential to a successful future. Today's customers expect to find businesses quickly and easily when they look online. This workshop will cover costs and risks associated with various digital platforms, website building tools and strategies, social media, paid online marketing, analytics and more. To register for the $25 workshop click on the 'Training' tab at www.vtsbdc.org or call (802)28-9101. The VT Small Business Development Center and Community National Bank are offering the same digital business workshop in Derby on June 22nd.
- What does the future hold for Newport's Bluffside Farm? The former Bluffside dairy farm on 129 acres, located on Indian Point and visible from downtown Newport, is the focus of a conservation project spearheaded by Vermont Land Trust. Following walking tours of the property in January, three public meetings were scheduled to explore possible scenarios for future ownership and how the land can best serve the community. The final meeting will be held on May 26th from 6-9 pm at the North Country Career Center. NVDA's Karen Geraghty will be the facilitator. All are invited to attend. Breakout groups will focus on protecting the land's natural resources, and preserving the property for farming, food production, and recreation. Visit http://www.vlt.org to learn more or contact Tracy Zschau, VLT Conservation Director (802) 745-6301 [email protected].
- i-Tree Software Training - June 1st & June 15th, VT Technical College, Randolph. This two-part workshop is intended for anyone involved and/or interested in urban forest management. i-Tree is state-of-the art, peer reviewed software from the USDA Forest Service that provides inventory analysis and benefits assessment tools for the trees in our cities and towns. i-Tree tools are free and accessible online. Workshop participants will learn how to use the tools to make informed decisions about tree management and stewardship. Space is limited. Register today at www.vtcommunityforestry.org (click on "Events". Questions? Please contact Elise Schadler [email protected] or (802) 656-2657 for more information.
VT Urban & Community Forestry (VT UCF) Program: Green Streets Vermont The VT UCF, is seeking a multi-disciplined consultant team to develop a comprehensive green street guidance document and associated training materials that provide practical information and advice on how to incorporate trees, landscaping and other green infrastructure techniques to create high quality urban roadside environments. The RFP is due: May 5th. Visit VT UCF website:http://vtcommunityforestry.org.
Funding Opportunities for Businesses, Communities & Non-profits
- Value Added Producer Grant Program provides funding for planning activities and working capital to producers to generate new products and expand market opportunities. For more information on VAPGs, visit www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/value-added-producer-grants or contact Susan Poland, Business Program Specialist at (802) 828-6002 [email protected].
- Electric Vehicle Charging Station Grant - Approximately $20,000 in grants are available for electric vehicle charging stations located within Designated Downtowns and Village Centers. This is the remainder of funding from previous grant rounds. Grant applications are due June 6, 2016. Contact Gary Holloway, Downtown Program Coordinator [email protected] (802) 828-3220
- Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Grant Information The 2016 NBRC grant application, program manual and guidance documents are available online athttp://www.nbrc.gov/content/2016-eid-investments. Grants up to $250,000 are available for economic and community development projects in Essex, Orleans, Caledonia, Lamoille, and Franklin counties. Eligible applicants include municipalities, regional planning commissions and nonprofit organizations. The (new) application due date isFriday, June 17th. Contact Jared Duval (802) 272-2461 [email protected] or Christine Frost [email protected] about your project in advance of submitting an application.
- 2016 Downtown & Village Center Tax Credits This program is one of the primary benefits of Downtown and Village Center designation, and it supports revitalization seen in community centers across the state. In 2016, $2,200,000 in state income tax credits are available to projects that enhance the historic character and improve building safety of older and historic commercial buildings in designated communities. The credits support general rehabilitation work, code compliance work, data and network wiring, and exterior improvements. Applications for the next round are due July 1st and allocation decisions will be made July 25th. The application is available onlinewww.accd.vermont.gov. For more information contact Caitlin Corkins, Tax Credits & Grants Coordinator (802) 828-3047 [email protected].
Calendar - Meetings & Events (read details above)
- May 7 - Vermont Green Up Day!
- May 16 - Legislative Breakfast, Newport 7:30-8:45 am / East Side Restaurant
- May 17 - VCDA Spring Conference 9:00 am-3:15 pm / Waterbury
- May 17 - VT Clean Water Act workshop 6:00 pm / NVDA, St. Johnsbury
- May 23 - Legislative Breakfast, St Johnsbury 8:00-9:00 am / St. Johnsbury House
- May 25 - Online Business Done Right workshop 9 am-noon/ NVDA, St. Johnsbury
- May 26 - Newport's Bluffside Farm 6:00-9:00 pm / North Country Career Center
- June 1 - i-Tree Software Training 10:00 am-noon / webinar
- June 7 - VT Clean Water Act workshop 6:00 pm / Gateway Center, Newport
- June 15 - iTree Software Training 9:00 am-4:00 pm / VTC, Randolph
- June 22 - Online Business Done Right workshop 9 am-noon / CNB, Derby
Event Location
United States