ACRPC Update

ACRPC Welcomes New Water Quality Planner, Zach Roberts

Zach is from Virginia and is a recent graduate of the College of William & Mary with a degree in Government and Environmental Policy. Zach will be serving our office and state this year as a Water Quality Planner. He will assist with coordinating and implementing water quality planning functions for watershed projects, including municipal stormwater, transportation, and riparian buffers for member towns in Addison County. Zach is ready and committed to serve the region by supporting the health of Vermont’s waters today and into the future, and he looks forward to making a positive impact on our communities and environment.

October Calendar

Date	Time	Meeting
October 12th	7:00 PM	Full Commission Meeting
October 18th	2:00 PM	Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Committee
October 19th	6:30 PM	TAC Meeting
October 20th	7:00 PM	ACSWMD Meeting
October 26th	2:00 PM	Otter Creek Basin Water Quality
October 26th	6:30 PM	ACRPC Executive Board Meeting
November 1st	6:30 PM	Energy Committee Meeting

Announcements and Events

Congratulations to Sandy Korda of Orwell!

An Orwell resident with more than 50 years of experience in emergency response has been recognized as Vermont’s Emergency Management Director of the Year. Sandy Korda was recognized for his commitment and excellence during the annual Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference September 20th. 

“EMDs work hard to ensure their community’s emergency response capabilities are strong, often on a voluntary basis,” Vermont Emergency Management Director Erica Bornemann said. “Sandy is a dedicated EMD who truly cares about his community. During the COVID pandemic he spearheaded several initiatives to help his community, including organizing welfare checks for those in need of assistance and a volunteer effort to deliver medicines and essentials to those who were homebound.”

Seeking Council Members – Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program

The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program Council is currently seeking an individual to join the 20-seat membership of statewide professionals and volunteers that guide and support the Urban & Community Forestry Program and its staff. The Council meets quarterly on the second Wednesdays of March, June, September, and December; meetings are typically a full day and held at varied locations across the state. Click the link below for information regarding member roles and responsibilities, current membership, and the application process.

Learn more: Here | Due: October 14th 

ACEDC Announces Development of a Regional Priority Project List 

The Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) and the Addison County Regional Planning Commission (ACRPC) are partnering with other regional organizations, developers, and municipalities to develop a Regional Priority Project List for state and federal funding. The Regional Priority Project List process is occurring in every region of the state and the final product is submitted in January to the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), who will use it for funding decisions and share the lists with other state and federal funders for consideration in making decisions on grant programs. The deadline to submit a Project Form to get a project included in the Addison County Regional Priority Project List is October 28.

2022 NBRC State Economic & Infrastructure Development Grant Awards Announced Congratulations to Porter Hospital and Otter Creek Childcare Center! Porter Medical Center (PMC) will create a simulation lab to provide entry-level training and upskilling education for healthcare workers. The lab will allow learners to earn stackable credentials, practicing hands-on skills in a controlled environment with instructor oversight.  The Otter Creek Childcare project will develop design and construction documents for all aspects of the childcare expansion project which includes architecture, civil, structural, specifications, acoustics, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, code, lighting, playground/landscape design, etc. The facility expansion, after evaluation, aims to increase stability and predictability of service to families across the region and increase overall childcare capacity by 77 daily slots.

2022 State Government Municipal Day – October 28, 2022

The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), in cooperation with Vermont Emergency Management (VEM), Natural Resources Board (NRB), Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), and the Agency of Agriculture Food & Markets (AAFM); invites you to participate in a day-long event that will include workshops, a plenary session with the State Office of Racial Equity – Education & Outreach, Shalini Suryanarayana, and networking opportunities with colleagues from across Vermont.

Learn more: here | Register: here

Vermont State Housing Conference

This is the only conference that brings together housing professionals from across the state to cover a comprehensive range of topics like housing development, single family financing, affordable housing, housing policy, local planning for housing, homelessness, and other special topics. Throughout this year’s conference, we will frame topics in terms of what each of us in our various roles can do to solve the housing crisis faced by Vermont. 

Register: here | Date: November 16 

Environmental Justice — More than Just a Law

Wednesday, October 19, 5:30 – 7:30pm

Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 2 Duane Ct, Middlebury

Please join us to learn more about how the state and local organizations are making Vermont’s Environmental Justice Law a priority. Our panel includes: State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale; Jen Myers, Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity; Lindsey Berk, ACORN; Vanessa Rule, 350VT. Learn more and register here.

ACORN’s Annual Meeting

Tuesday, November 15, 6:00 PM- 7:30 PM | Minifactory, 16 Main St, Bristol

Hear about ACORN’s brand new Food Hub and what it means for our local food system, the success of the 4th annual Farmacy: Food is Medicine collaboration and see what ACORN has in store for 2023. Celebrate local food with our community! REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED Email [email protected] if you prefer to pay at the door.

2022 Early Childhood Family Needs Assessment Survey

The Building Bright Futures’ Families and Communities Committee has officially launched their 2022 Early Childhood Family Needs Assessment! This anonymous survey is open and we are asking Vermonters who are the primary caretakers for children under 9 years old to complete it. If you are the primary caretaker of a young child, please complete the survey now!

Help Conduct a Home Heating Survey 

The Addison County Climate Economy Action Center is helping Middlebury College’s Sustainability Solutions Lab survey local residents about their thoughts on home heating in order to understand what it takes for households to reduce energy consumption and switch away from fossil fuels. The project needs volunteers to help in September and October. The time commitment would be two full days. 

Learn more and volunteer: here

Grants and Funding

Community 

Municipal Planning Grants

The State’s flexible Municipal Planning Grants are ready to support projects for long-term recovery, and now is the time to begin thinking about projects. Individual towns may apply for up to $26,400 and joint applications from several municipalities (a consortium) may apply for up to $39,600.

Application Schedule for FY2023 Grants: 

• Online application (GEARS) opens for use: September 1, 2022
• RPC confirmation of municipal planning process (for eligibility): October 31, 2022
• Application Deadline: December 1 @ 6:00 p.m., 2022
• Award Decisions: January 2023
• Project completion: November 2024

Contact Katie Raycroft-Meyer [email protected] for more information.
 

AARP VT Accepting Grant Applications for Winter Placemaking Projects 

The Winter Placemaking Micro-Grants ($4K per project) will support community efforts to spearhead a demonstration project that makes public space more accessible and welcoming to people of all ages and abilities. For more information visit their website. 

Due: 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.

Grant Funding for Water-Related Improvements in VHIP Units

New Vermont Housing Improvement Program and Healthy Homes Initiative (VHIP-HHI) funding are available in Addison County through NeighborWorks of Western Vermont. The new funding will provide grants to create new affordable apartments like Accessory Dwelling Units, make repairs to existing units, and water-system-related improvements. 

VAAFM Announces 2022 Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant

This grant provides financial and technical assistance to schools and early childhood education providers to help develop or grow their farm to school and early childhood programs. Eligible applicants are Vermont registered or licensed early childhood education providers; a consortium of early care providers; independent schools participating in any federal child nutrition programs; individual public schools; or supervisory unions (SU) or educational districts on behalf of a public school or consortium of schools. Contact: Gina Clithero, [email protected]

Learn more and apply: Here | Due: Nov 3rd

Zoning Bylaw Modernization Grants for New Homes and ‘Great Neighborhoods’

$650,000 in special grants to update zoning for needed homes in great neighborhoods. Municipalities interested in this special funding to update bylaws, implement Zoning for Great Neighborhoods, and expand housing choice and opportunity in pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods should contact Katie Raycroft-Meyer [email protected].
Learn more: here | Due: November 1, 2022

Vermont Community Development Grants

The Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) assists communities on a competitive basis by providing financial and technical assistance to identify and address local needs in the areas of housing, economic development, public facilities, public services, handicapped accessibility and modification planning. 

Learn more: Here | Due: Rolling basis

VCF Equitable and Inclusive Communities grant 

The Vermont Community Foundation is seeking proposals from Vermont villages, towns, and cities that close the opportunity gap by supporting local efforts to foster inclusion and belonging for people of all races and backgrounds. The Foundation offers grants of up to $10,000 to fund projects that generate a greater sense of community and equity education in town.

Learn more: Here | Due: rolling basis until funds are used

Hospitality HVAC Assistance Program

The Vermont Public Service Department is seeking proposals for the Hospitality HVAC Assistance Program. This program, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), offers relief to businesses in the hospitality, tourism, and travel services industry that were negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Request for Proposals (RFP) has the full program details. Questions regarding the RFP are due October 7, 2022 and will be answered and posted on this webpage by October 11, 2022. Proposals must be received by the PSD no later than November 7, 2022.

Energy

Electric Vehicle Workplace Charging Station Loan Program

Electric Vehicle Workplace Charging Station loans are available for any for profit or not-for-profit business, municipality, or individual owning or leasing a business property to an otherwise eligible business and installing a new EV Charging station(s). These include individuals, sole proprietors, LLCs, corporations, cooperatives, not-for-profit, and municipalities.

Learn more: Here | Contact Maddison Shropshire: [email protected]

Button Up VT

Sign up to participate in the annual Button Up Vermont campaign, which works each fall to raise awareness about weatherization and efficient heating options. Weatherization Wednesday webinars are happening at noon each week in October, featuring tips and energy expertise to Button Up at home, with live Q&A on Facebook and Zoom. Please share these events with your networks on social media or Front Porch Forum. There are also local in-person events happening. A full schedule of events will be available at ButtonUpVermont.org. If your town is planning an event between now and mid-November, email [email protected] to have it added.

Clean Water

Water Quality Project Development Block Grant

ACRPC is accepting proposals for a statewide grant for groups interested in developing water quality projects. Funds from this block grant can be used for getting landowners, municipalities and other partners “on board” with projects to improve water quality and to move projects towards design and implementation. Projects may either be general (such as reviewing tactical basin plans to determine where projects may be helpful) to specific (such as beginning to plan actions). All project work, invoicing and reporting must be complete by October 31, 2023. 

Learn more: Here | Contact: [email protected] | Due: October 31, 2022.

Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems RFP

LCBP seeks proposals for projects that would directly support the Clean Water and Healthy Ecosystems goals of Opportunities for Action: An evolving plan for the future of the Lake Champlain Basin through on-the-ground implementation of water quality and habitat improvement, project planning and prioritization, and aquatic invasive species spread prevention measures.

Learn More: Here 

Clean Water Proposals Due: Oct, 12th | Healthy Ecosystems Proposals Due: Nov, 9th

Lake Champlain Basin Program to Fund Projects that Preserve and Interpret Cultural Heritage

The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) seeks pre-proposals for projects and programs to protect, restore, interpret, and showcase the historical resources and cultural heritage of the Champlain Valley, the Lake Champlain Basin, and the Adirondack Park.  Grants up to $40,000 will serve the CVNHP Conservation & Community Interpretive Theme to encourage multi-jurisdictional, or regional projects that interpret, highlight, and support the objectives of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program associated with the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Region and support the CVNHP Management Plan. Smaller grants up to $9,000 will also support the interpretive theme; or provide internships, museum collection improvements, and focus on local history in 2024. After review of the submitted pre-proposals, a subset of applicants will be asked to submit a full proposal later in Fall 2022 for funding consideration for projects to begin on or after October 1, 2023. The grant awards will be announced in April 2023.

Learn More: Here | Due: October 9th, 2022

2022 Design and Implementation Block Grant Open Round

The State Natural Resources Conservation Council (NRCC) is pleased to announce a request for applications for projects under the NRCC Clean Water Projects Design and Implementation Block Grant funded by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Clean Water Initiative Program (CWIP) through the state Clean Water Fund. The goal of the Clean Water Fund is to support projects whose primary purpose is to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution, including phosphorus, from runoff and soil erosion that discharge into the state’s rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The program is open to all eligible organizations, including Vermont’s 14 Natural Resources Conservation Districts (NRCDs), watershed groups, municipalities, and others, and will fund preliminary design, final design, and implementation projects. Applicants are encouraged to contact Vermont Association of Conservation Districts (VACD) Executive Director Jill Arace at [email protected] with any questions prior to submitting an application. 

Learn more: Here | Due: October 24, 2022 

Natural Resources

Communities Caring for Canopy Grant

Communities Caring for Canopy grants provide seed funding to help communities develop and sustain community-wide programs for trees and forests in public places and right-of-ways. These grants allow for multiple program components to be merged into one grant application.Grants range from $1,000 – $5,000.

Learn more: here | Due: December 30th, 2022

Growing Urban Forests Grant

Growing Urban Forests in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer Grants offer support to communities seeking financial assistance for tree planting and reforestation efforts in consideration of the impact of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) on all species of native ash trees.  Grants range from $3,000 – $20,000. Eligibility aligns with the VT Department of Housing and Community Development’s state designation programs. Learn more: here | Due: December 30th, 2022

Emergency Preparedness

Mobile Home Park Aboveground Storage Tank Flood Resiliency Project

Financial assistance remains available for mobile homeowners with aboveground storage tanks needing to be replaced due to “red-tagging” or other deficiencies through DEC’s Residential AST Removal/Replacement Program.

Contact Andrew L’Roe with any questions about the grant opportunities below [email protected]

• State Homeland Security Program (SHSP)

For authorized municipal equipment. Special focus on Cybersecurity.

https://hsu.vermont.gov/homeland-security-unit/funding-opportunities

Additional money this Fall 2022, and round of applications due in January 2023.

• Hazard Mitigation Grants 

Learn more here: https://vem.vermont.gov/funding/mitigation

• Flood Resilient Communities Fund (FRCF)

Reducing the future public safety and water quality impacts of climate-related flood hazards, focusing on buyouts of flood-vulnerable properties. 

Next Round of applications due October 28, 2022, and another in March 2023.

Learn More: HERE

• Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

Grant program to states and local communities for mitigation activities.

Next Round of applications due December, 2022.

• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

To reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures. Includes Community Flood mitigation projects to reduce future NFIP flood claims. Next Round of applications due December, 2022.

Tools and Training

Energy

GreenSavingSmart Program

Reaching Energy Equity Goals with GreenSavingSmart – GreenSavingSmart is a new service administered by Vermont’s five community action agencies that connects financial coaching with energy savings for low- and moderate-income Vermonters to ensure a cleaner, greener Vermont. Learn all about this initiative here. And, if you missed VECAN’s March 2nd webinar about this program, you can watch the recording here. Contact Maddison Shropshire: [email protected] for more information.

Energy Efficiency and Historic Preservation Retreat October 11-12, 2022

Are you struggling to understand how best to weatherize your historic building? Retrofitting historic properties to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating costs and keep historic features intact is possible! Historic buildings were designed to be efficient and take advantage of the resources available at the time of construction – sunlight, airflow, water. This retreat will explore how best to approach energy retrofits to maximize the building’s inherent efficiencies and will share best practices that generally will not impact the historic character of your building.

Register | Registration Deadline: September 26 at 5 pm.

Renewable Energy Vermont Conference October 27 & 28

Now in its 20th year, the annual Renewable Energy Vermont Conference & Expo is returning to an in-person format this October 27 & 28 in Burlington, VT. Join the hundreds of business leaders, policy-makers, activists, and visionaries at REV2022 to discuss how to realize our 100% fossil free future. For questions, please email Kit Price at [email protected].

Efficiency VT Kicks off Button Up Weatherization Campaign

Last week, Efficiency VT officially kicked off the 2022 Button-up Season, asking communities to help them educate residents on the importance of weatherization and the opportunities to save on the change. You can watch a recording of the webinar and access the presentation slides here. Interested in being a Button Up community? Sign up here!  For more information contact ACRPC’s Energy Planner, Maddison Shropshire [email protected]

Community

Better Places Grant Informational Webinar

Whether you are dreaming of more parks and green spaces, a vibrant main street, colorful public art projects, community gardens, or cultural events, Better Places grants can help turn your idea into a reality.  Learn more about DHCD’s Better Places program and hear from local leaders in Arlington and White River Junction on how they used crowdfunding to create vibrant public places in their communities. Those who are interested can learn more on Wednesday, October 19^th at noon by attending our fall project creator’s webinar. Register here or visit the website to learn more.  

Grants Management Symposium Date Change

Save the date on Thursday, December 8, 2022, for the Vermont Community Development Program’s Grants Management Symposium. Events will be held all day at the Capitol Plaza in Montpelier, Vermont.

Equity

VLCT Announces New Equity Resources for Municipalities

The VLCT Municipal Equity Toolkit is a ten-part online resource that covers everything from creating a municipal equity committee to building a framework and action plan to listing equity-related books, podcasts, and videos. It is free and available to all VLCT members and the public at vlct.org/JDEIB-resources. VLCT’s equity consultants, Nikki Fuller Esq-SHRM-SCP of Workplace Matters and Dr. Wanda Heading Grant, helped create the toolkit in collaboration with the VLCT Equity committee and with the support of a grant from the Vermont Community Foundation. The toolkit includes resources for both internally focused equity efforts (ensuring a community is a model employer) and external equity resources (ensuring the community itself is a welcoming place to all). More information and resources on equity can also be found through the State of Vermont Office of Racial Equity.

2022 Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference: October 1st

The 25th annual Women’s Economic Opportunity Conference is a free event hosted by Senator Patrick Leahy. The conference will feature keynote speaker, Janet Yellen, and a variety of workshops on skill development, financial planning and more. Agenda and registration.

Natural Resources

2022 Conservation Summit: Resilient Communities and Landscapes

Much of the recent action on climate has been at the state policy level, but Vermont’s Climate Action plan identifies strategies and actions that municipalities can engage in to prepare and respond to a changing climate. Please join us for this exciting conference to learn more about what you can do!

Learn more and register: here | Date: October 15, 2022, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Pollinator Pathways – Putting our Gardens to Bed for Pollinators

We hope you’ve had a summer filled with learning, planting and pollinators, and maybe rewilding as well! We know that many of us have questions as to what to do with our fall beds to help wintering pollinators, and Emily May ( from the Xerces Society) will lead us forward with answers, ideas and recommendations. 

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/420805198677 | 

When: Tues. Oct. 11, on Zoom, from 7-8:30 pm

National Bat Week Workshop – Got Bats?

Join Alyssa Bennett, Small Mammal Biologist, VT Fish and Wildlife Dept to learn about bat life cycles and life styles, how Vermont’s bats are doing, and how you can help bats live where you want them to. This event is located at Hannaford Career Center Rm. 121, Middlebury VT on Wednesday, October 26 6:00-7:00 p.m. Preregistration requested, not required: Here or text Len Schmidt @ 802-265-0808 with questions. 

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Community Wildlife Program
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department Community Wildlife Program is proud to announce the schedule for our Fall educational series of webinars and training. This year we have five new topics planned and will be offering several sessions of each. Look at our schedule and register here: https://anr.vermont.gov/content/trainings.

Trainings: In addition to our webinar series, we’re also offering two trainings online this fall, Environmental Leadership Training (ELT) Unit 1; From Science to Planning and ELT Unit 2; From Planning to Action. We will be diving into the intricacies of natural resource planning through exciting hands-on activities, role playing, and engaging presentations all aimed at helping you become a leader in your community. Each training involves attending three live sessions (held online) and a bit of homework between sessions to explore additional tools. We will also engage with a few web tools (like BioFinder) to expand your technical skills for planning within your community. See Trainings here: https://anr.vermont.gov/content/trainings#Trainings to learn more.