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 Receives US EPA Grant
TRORC is pleased to announce that we have received a $400,000 grant from USEPA to fund assessments of sites suspected to be contaminated with hazardous materials or petroleum. Through the environmental site assessment process, Brownfields sites can re-enter the local economy as useful and valued properties.
Assessments of Brownfields properties is an important component of TRORC's economic development program. These studies, and the eventual cleanup and reuse of Brownfields sites, improve the local economy through job creation, contributes to the tax base, reduces health threats, and avoids new development being pushed to undeveloped sites outside of our region's villages and downtowns.
By assisting public entities who may be acquiring sites and covering the costs of site assessment, TRORC is removing a major impediment to redevelopment of abandoned, idle, or under-used properties in our region. Vermont law offers municipalities an option to take ownership of abandoned properties to promote a fuller range of redevelopment without acquiring the associated ownership liability.
To participate in the TRORC Brownfields program, redevelopers must have a reuse in mind and the site must not be owned by whomever caused the contamination. For more information, please contact Sally Hull at 457-3188.
Town Baseline Energy Study
TRORC is seeking the assistance of our town in collecting data for our regional baseline energy study. This study will attempt to collect energy use data from every municipality in the TRORC region. Using this data, we hope to identify areas in which towns can dramatically reduce expenses without spending an excess of funds to do so. In order for the RPC to collect the data for this study, we will need permission from our towns to obtain the information from their power company. Representatives of these local power companies have indicated that they will also need the account numbers for each municipally owned building (or lighting in the case of streetlights) in order to more easily locate the information.
Selectboard members, Town Managers and Energy Committee members should be receiving a memo requesting assistance and appropriate information release forms in the mail in the near future. We are hoping that every community will participate in this program with a limited amount of effort required.
If you have questions about the TRORC Regional Baseline Energy Study, please contact Chris Sargent at 457-3188 (x12) or csargent@trorc.org.
TRORC Awarded Economic Development Grant
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.
Next TRORC Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
Date: Wednesday September 8, 2010
Location: Stagecoach Offices, Randolph, VT
Time: 9:30am to 11am
Economic Census Data User Conference
Date: Tuesday September 14, 2010
Location: The Pavillion Building, Montpelier, VT
Time: 9:30am to 12pm
The Vermont Legislative Joint Fiscal Office and the U.S. Census Bureau invite you to attend a free seminar on the 2007 Economic Census and related statistics, conducted by Census Bureau experts, to introduce you to new information about the American economy on Tuesday, September 14th from 9:00 am until noon in Montpelier.
For more information and registration, please download attachment below or contact Sara Teachout steachout@leg.state.vt.us.
3rd Annual Local Energy Alternatives Festival (LEAF)
Date: Saturday September 18, 2010
Location: Main St, Bradford, VT
Time: 9am to 6pm
The 3rd Annual Local Energy Alternatives Festival on September 18th on Main Street in Bradford, VT will include free presentations and workshops throughout the day on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable living and re-skilling. Tours of the hydro-electric dam and visits to solar-powered homes will be available at various times during the day-long event. Over 20 renewable energy vendors will be set up under the big tents to demonstrate and share information about the latest technologies in their fields of expertise.
Live musical groups will add a festive atmosphere to the huge farmer’s and artisan’s market, featuring local foods and other local products. Activities for children and youth will be staged at various locations. A production called “Fashion on a Shoestring”, a fashion show featuring Oxbow High School students modeling recycled clothing from area thrift stores, will show that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look great.
The day’s events will culminate with a candidate’s forum that will focus on their respective positions on Vermont’s Energy Future. All events of the day are free, but it is requested that attendees bring a non-perishable food item for the Bradford Area Food Shelves.
*Sponsored by the Energy Committee of the Bradford Conservation Commission, with support from the Byrne Foundation, New England Grassroots Environment Fund and Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission.Next Orange/Windsor County Road Foreman Meeting
Date: Thursday September 23, 2010
Location: West Windsor Town Garage, VT
Time: 9:30am to 11am
Weatherization Skillshops and DIY Home Weatherization Program
Date: Saturday September 25, 2010
Location: River Bend Career and Technical Center, Bradford, VT
Registration Fee: $150 - which includes $100 in weatherization tools, supplies, and resources – and lunch.
Weatherization Skillshops: Skillshop participants will learn the core fundamentals and hands-on techniques needed to improve building efficiency on their own, including background on building science, how-to demonstrations, and hands-on skill building. The weatherization skillshop consists of three distinct modules: air-sealing and insulating attics, air-sealing windows and doors, and air-sealing and insulating basements. Participants will learn how to choose the right energy saving products and tools for basic projects and how to safely and effectively use materials.
Space is limited for 15-20 participants. Click here for more information and to register or by calling Laurie Fielder 802-476-2093 x116.
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Workshop
Dates: Thursday October 7, 2010
Location: St. Johnsbury, VT - 1pm to 4pm
(snacks and drinks provided)Dates: Wednesday November 3, 2010
Location: Rutland, VT - 10am to 1pm
(snacks and drinks provided)Dates: Thursday February 3, 2011
Location: Burlington, VT - 5:30pm to 8pm
(light dinner provided)
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing workshop is offered by the Fair Housing Project, the Vermont Department of Economic, Housing and Community Development and the Vermont Human Rights Commission. Areas of interest include:
1. An introduction to Vermont and federal fair housing laws.
2. A discussion of the most prevalent regulatory barriers to fair housing choice in Vermont.
3.
Examining the legal requirements of fair housing law as they impact municipal zoning practices.
4.
Reviewing planning and development tools that help municipalities comply with fair housing law
All municipalities receiving Community Development grants or CDBG funding must complete a training such as this as a condition of their funding. The training is also very beneficial for anyone dealing with issues of long range planning, affordable housing, residential care facilities, property management and requests for reasonable accommodations/modifications. The Fair Housing Project, DEHCD and the VT Human Rights Commission encourage planning commissions to send at least one staff person. To assist that effort, There is no charge for the training. Space is limited so please RSVP early. For more information, download the flyer below.
Next LEPC #12 Meeting
Date: Thursday October 21, 2010
Location: TBD.
Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Please RSVP to Rita Seto.
2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference
Date: Thursday November 18, 2010
Location: Hilton Burlington, Burlington, VT
Registration: More information to come.
This event's the largest housing event in Vermont, bringing together a unique mix of housing financers, advocates, developers, planners, tenants and others. Click here for more information. Registration information coming soon.
FY’11 Municipal Planning Grants
There will be a second round of Municipal Planning Grants this fall. Online applications will be available in early July. If your town is interested in applying and/or requires assistance with this process, please contact us.
Visit the program’s website below for more information.
There are no employment opportunities available at this time.
The Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) received funding from the US Economic Development Agency (EDA) to update the East Central Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). TRORC is seeking to identify and select an outside independent organization to compile economic data specific to this region.
Performance under the scope of work must be completed by September 17, 2010. TRORC is interested in obtaining the labor and economic trend data specific to the 40 town East Central Vermont region. For more information, download RFP document below.