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Partner updates: regional project priority list posted; lawmakers remove some Act 250 provisions and extend Vermont growth incentive
Summary
Alex briefed the commission that the regional project prioritization list is finalized and posted, encouraged Essex to apply in the fall, and reported the legislature removed certain Act 250 tier/road-rule provisions and made the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive permanent.
At the June 4 meeting, the Essex Economic Development Commission received partner updates from Alex of the Greater Burlington Industrial Core and was told the regional project prioritization (RPP) list has been finalized and is available on the regional website.
Alex encouraged town leaders to consider submitting projects for the next RPP round in the fall to increase access to federal funding streams such as Northern Border Regional Commission grants and to make local projects visible to regional scoring partners. "If you guys have a project that you're thinking of pursuing, let us know," Alex said, offering staff assistance to frame submissions.
Alex also summarized recent legislative changes he said are important for local economic development: the Legislature removed Tier 3 and road-rule provisions from Act 250, which he said will reduce Act 250 oversight on some rural and road-related projects, and the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) had its sunset removed, making the program permanently available to employers. "It will be permanently available to employers," he said of VEGI, a program Essex employers have used.
Commissioners asked follow-up questions about priority projects in Chittenden County (infrastructure, sewer upgrades, and housing) and how sewer capacity can enable large housing projects. Alex and others offered to help towns prepare joint or regional applications.
