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Smart Growth Corner
BUZZING
IN BRISTOL
While
Vermont doesn't have the ideal climate for growing coffee
beans, the climate for small business is perfect! And when
you mix the two, you get the Vermont Coffee Company in Bristol,
Vermont. Founded in 2001 by Paul Ralston, the company now
has 10 employees, and their coffee is sold in 160 retail
outlets. And the company is growing along with its beans.
Setting his sights on expansion does not mean that Ralston
wants to expand out of Bristol. His hope is to move into
an existing building next to Autumn Harp right in Bristol.
"I and most of our employees live in Bristol," says Ralston.
"I like to walk to work, and have time with my family. It's
what I want, and what I want for my employees."
Vermont Coffee Company is a local business, employing local
people, and selling to local customers. To find out how
you can support the company, and drink the benefits, click
here!
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Tools You Can Use
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DEADLINE
FOR 2007 SMART GROWTH AWARD NOMINATIONS IS JUNE 30TH
The deadline for nominating projects for a Smart Growth
Awards is quickly approaching. The awards recognize Vermont
projects and plans that create opportunities for housing,
business and economic development in a way that preserves
our unique landscape. Examples of projects include:
- Revitalization of historic buildings in your downtown;
- New homes built in a village center;
- Village zoning that encourages increased density.
We will announce the winners at our 2007 Smart Growth
Awards Celebration aboard a Lake Cruise in Burlington on
Thursday September 13, 2007. Click
here for nomination forms and sponsorship information.
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FORUM
TRAINING SESSIONS HELP COMMUNITIES ADDRESS GROWTH CHALLENGES
On May 15th, local officials and town residents from the
Town of Thetford participated in a Vermont Forum on Sprawl
workshop on managing residential development in rural settings.
The community, located north of rapidly growing Hanover/Lebanon
New Hampshire area, is struggling with the incremental construction
of scattered housing that is changing their community's
open landscape.
"Thetford is at a crossroads," said Brian Shupe, Program
Director for the Vermont on Sprawl. "As they review their
zoning regulations, they have an opportunity to shape how
their community addresses increased pressure for residential
development."
The workshop was funded by a Vermont Municipal Education
Grant (MEG) grant.
The Thetford workshop was one of seven similar workshops
and training sessions that the Forum conducted for municipal
officials in recent weeks. Staff addressed similar topics
concerning how to manage scattered rural development for
the Towns of Reading, Windsor and Richmond, and discussed
growth center and smart growth planning in Bradford, Wells
and Troy.
To schedule a workshop in your community, contact Brian
Shupe at (802) 864-6310.
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LOCAL FIRST VERMONT SHOWS ITS INDEPENDENTS
The week of July 1-7 will feature a statewide celebration
of Vermont's independent and locally-owned businesses. Sponsored
by Local
First Vermont, Independents Week will host events around
the state to educate businesses and customers on the benefits
of buying locally. To find an Independents Week event near
you, or to register your business with Local First Vermont,
click
here.
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT:
ST. JOHNSBURY
Nestled at the crossroads of four highways in the hills
of Northeastern Vermont, St. Johnsbury is a bustling town
that boasts not only the St.
Johnsbury Athenaeum and the Fairbanks
Museum and Planetarium, but a wealth of other stores
and attractions. Linda Fogg, Executive Director of St.
Johnsbury Works!, a National Main Street Program dedicated
to revitalizing and strengthening downtown St. Johnsbury,
says she is seeing great things happen.
Recently, National Geographic named the town the #1 Small
Town for Adventure, and that seems to be just the beginning.
A new brochure about St. J and its businesses will soon
be available at all regional welcome centers, reaching 1.6
million visitors annually. Sixty-five St. Johnsbury businesses
participated in the brochure.
Also, St. Johnsbury Works! will launch a new website this
summer, called Discoverstjvt.com. The site will highlight
the town and its attractions and businesses, not only for
tourists, but also for local residents.
This summer, when you are traveling around Vermont, visit
St. Johnsbury and explore the local businesses and attractions
that make this community unique.
For more information, contact Linda Fogg at St.
Johnsbury Works! and watch for the launch of Discoverstjvt.com.
Photo credit: Peter Whitney
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This summer, Vermont Smart Growth E-News will include articles
on local downtowns and villages, and how they help people
buy, work and play locally. If you have stories of the great
things happening in your community, contact
us !
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VERMONT NEWS
Preservation Award Winners Announced
The Preservation
Trust of Vermont announced its 2007 Preservation Award
winners at the 13th Annual Vermont Preservation Conference
on May 16th. Eight awards were given to individuals and
groups around the state for their commitment to preservation
projects. For more information about the winners, click
here.
2007 Vermont History Expo
June 23-24, 2007
Tunbridge, Vermont
The 2007 Vermont History Expo will be held in Tunbridge
June 23rd and 24th. The Expo will have historic displays,
and activities for all ages. For more information, click
here.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Google Maps Add Transit
Trying to get around your town or the city you are visiting?
Google Maps and Google Earth will soon incorporate options
for transit. Now people searching for directions to their
destinations will have more information about transit options
including buses and rail. The feature's rollout will first
be included in select cities, with others coming online
in the future.
Neighborworks Training Institute Event
August 13-17, 2007
Washington, DC
The NeighborWorks Training Institute will convene five days
of training in Washington DC this August. Educational sessions
will include Affordable Housing, Community and Neighborhood
Revitalization, and Community Building and Organization.
For more information, or to register, click
here.
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