The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission hosts meetings and workshops on a regular basis. In addition we occasionally publish project related requests for proposal. Below is a listing of those events, as well as any RFP's or Grant opportunities available to our member towns. We urge you to check this section of our site for regular updates on what is going on with TRORC and our partners.
TRORC February Newsletter Now Available
The TRORC Newsletter is now available for download in the publications section of this web site.
TRORC Awarded Economic Development Grant
The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) was recently awarded a $235,000 economic development grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support the region’s businesses in minimizing economic dislocations resulting from natural or man-made disasters.
In 2008, towns within the TRORC area were impacted by severe flooding and Congress appropriated funding to EDA to assist businesses in disaster recovery efforts by conducting proper planning in advance of disasters. TRORC sought this nationally competitive funding to meet with the region’s businesses and conduct “business continuity of operations planning”. This effort will identify the vulnerability of a business to disruptions in raw materials and supplies, finished product transportation, employee movement and other factors.
“Whether the disruption is caused by a flash flood or the sudden failure of infrastructure like the Crown Point Bridge in western Vermont, our region’s businesses must be prepared with contingency plans to mitigate the effects of these sudden events” says Peter Gregory, Executive Director of TRORC. “The impact on our economy can be severe so we were pleased to apply for this important funding and look forward to investing in our collective readiness.”
"Natural disasters and catastrophic events like transportation infrastructure failures can devastate even the most financially viable business," said Sen. Patrick Leahy, who worked with representatives of the EDA and the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission to secure the funding. "The federal government made these funds available after disasters across the country cost both the private and public sectors millions of dollars in lost time and lost business. This grant will help Vermont businesses weather even the worst disaster."
TRORC will be working with the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, the Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation and the Springfield Regional Development Corporation on this effort. Work will commence shortly and area businesses are encouraged to contact Sally Hull at shull@trorc.org if they wish to participate in this planning.
Historic Preservation Grants Awarded
Congratulations to the following towns that were awarded a Historic Preservation Grant for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings across Vermont.
Newbury: Old Village Church to install a new standing seam metal roof and reinforce the roof structure.
Rochester: Pierce Hall Community Center, Inc. for repairing the roof framing and fascia boards.
Royalton: Royalton Town House for foundation repair.
Thetford: First Congregational Church in Thetford to install a new standing seam metal roof and flashing.
For more information, visit the Division for Historic Preservation site at the link below.
White River NRCD Annual Conservation Plant Sale
The White River Natural Resource Conservation District's 5th Annual Conservation Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Pick up will again be at the red schoolhouse at VT Technical College in Randolph Center.
This sale is both a community service for residents of the White River District area as well as a fundraiser so that money raised allows the WRNRCD to bring workshops, educational information, and high-quality conservation programs to the people in thier District.
The White River District is committed to offering this Sale in the hopes of promoting the planting of native trees and shrubs throughout Vermont's landscape. Species are selected by District staff and their conservation partners to support backyard biodiversity, riparian restoration projects, and the possibility of an edible landscape. The deadline for advance ordering plants is March 22nd. For more information, use the link below.
2010 Town Officers Education Conference
Tuesday April 13, 2010 - Lake Morey Inn, Fairlee, VT
For more information on sessions, visit the link below.
To register for conference, visit the link below.
Peanut Butter and JAM:
Making Local Regulations Stick after the JAM Golf, LLC, Decision
Date: Friday, April 23, 2010
Time: 8:30am-12:30pm
Location: Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT
Cost: $15-$25 (lunch is included at the higher cost)
Vermont Planners Association (VPA) Annual Spring Workshop will focus on life after the JAM Golf decision. Guest panelists will focus on developments in land use law since the JAM Golf decision as well as how to write defensible standards-based regulations.
This event is being cosponsored by the Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions, The Land Use Institute at Vermont Law School and the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association.
Register by mail, fax or email by Friday, April 16th using the downloadable application below.
Conducting Effective Tax Appeals
Date: Tuesday April 27, 2010
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Hartford Town Office, Hartford, VT
Learn what your town can do to conduct effective property tax grievances and appeals. For more information or to register, contact Jessica Hill (info@vlct.org / 802-229-9111) or visit the Vermont League of Cities and Towns website below.
2010 Municipal Planning Grant (MPG) Program
The Municipal Planning Grant program (MPGs) will be available to municipalities this year. MPG funds provide assistance for town planning and implementation. Municipalities may apply for any amount up to $15,000 for single applications or up to $25,000 for multi-town (consortia) projects. No local match is required. Approximately $250,000 is available for grants statewide in FY10.
Application Dates:
March 15, 2010 – Online application website available
March 23 – Training on the online application system, noon – 1 pm
April 16 – Training on the online application system, noon – 1 pm
April 30 – Application due date
Late May – Grant decisions
Staff at the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission are able to help your town submit a MPG grant. For more information on the MPG program, or what types of assistance TRORC staff can offer your municipality, please contact Chris Sargent at csargent@trorc.org. Additional information is available via the link below.
Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds: A less expensive alternative to municipal bonds - Applications due May 15, 2010
The Vermont Municipal Bond Bank (VMBB) has received authority from the State of Vermont to issue up to $90.0 million in Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEDBs) in 2010. RZEDBs are a category of Build America Bonds (BABs), used to fund public infrastructure, facilities and equipment in “recovery zones”. The entire State of Vermont has been declared a “recovery zone”. RZEDBs are sometimes known as “super BABs”. Regular BABs are taxable bonds with a 35% tax credit feature. RZEDBs are also taxable bonds, but with a 45% interest payment subsidy. By passing the subsidy on to participating municipalities, the VMBB is able to make a 20-year Recovery Zone Economic Development Bond between 15% and 20% cheaper than tax-exempt municipal bonds.
Eligible RZEDB borrowers include: counties; cities; towns; villages; school districts; and other state recognized districts – the same definition as those able to borrow on a tax-exempt basis through the VMBB.
The VMBB will be using the same application process for Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds as that used for tax-exempt bonds. A municipality wishing to be included in this July’s RZEDB pool will need to file a VMBB application by May 15th along with the following: a CPA audit of your municipality’s most recently completed fiscal year, a preliminary bond counsel’s opinion; and three years of annual reports. Click on brochure below or visit VMBB’s website for further information on municipal finance and making application for admission to the VMBB bond pool (www.vtbondagency.org).
Muncipal Education Grants (MEG)
The Municipal Education Grant program (MEG) will again be available to municipalities this year. The MEG program provides towns with funds for training volunteer boards and commissions to help them perform their duties as defined under 24 V.S.A. Chapter 117. The fund is designed to bring trainers directly to the community so that all members of the land use boards and commissions have the opportunity for basic and on-going education.
Municipalities may apply for a grant of up to $800 any time before May 15, 2010. The state will reimburse the municipality for the grant amount after the training has taken place and expenses have been paid.
Staff at the Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission are able to help your town submit a MEG grant. For more information on the MEG program, or what types of training opportunities TRORC staff can offer your municipality, please contact Chris Sargent at csargent@trorc.org. Additional information is available via the link below.
There are no employment opportunities available at this time.
There are no RFP's at this time.