March 30, 2023

The meeting was called to order at 8:02

Tourism Day Recap – Representative Jerome

·       Representative Jerome thanked everyone who attended

·       There were approximately 150 registered attendees with great conversations and discussions throughout the day and lots of representation across industries

·       It was also a great opportunity to see the marketing/tourism pieces that come out of the State Department. Encouraged everyone to visit their website to see them if you haven’t already

·       Megan Sullivan, Vermont Chamber of Commerce

o   Strong feedback from participants that thought it was a fantastic day and that it was great to come without an agenda

o   Megan shared thanks to everyone for welcoming industry leaders

o   Looking forward to partnering again next year and discuss areas to make even better

Rural Omnibus Bill

·       Rural Caucus Leadership reviewed the tracker – linked here – with brief updates on each bill

·       Noted we are already two thirds of the way through the session

·       Appreciate other feedback from legislators on how things are moving forward in their committees

Rural Capacity Update – Doug Farnham, AOA

·       Funding for rural capacity is in the new adjustment

·       Progress is being made on the municipal technical assistance

·       The RFP went live on Wednesday

·       $1.5 million for RPC’s grants that are working together on consolidated teams for municipal technical assistance. Talking to directors in May to move this forward. Will be getting grant agreement in place ASAP.

·       Index is still included - 64 towns are already pre-qualified and this list is on the website. These towns can go directly to RPC

·       RPC’s will be the main outreach drivers

·       Early May-June will conduct outreach to all pre-qualified towns to include in July 1 report which towns plan to participate from this list.

·       Representative Sibilia encouraged AOA to reach out to Rural Caucus for support, specifically to reach communities.

·       Additional tracking and reporting will need to be done for other interested towns and if any exceptions can be made for their participation

·       Encouraging multiple towns to come together and share resources – ideal outcome

·       Most projects that have been shared at this point are for road/town building base

·       Primary focus is to get smaller towns to balance the scare of ARPA funds

·       Doug will share any links with Rural Caucus – feel free to provide feedback

Other

·       Questions around H. 480 and would appreciate more information. Representative Sibilia will invite VLCT to future meeting to help answer some questions and provide capacity

·       Discussions on raising income sensitivity caps – a bill has been submitted and in the House tomorrow

Next Meeting:

·       Will bring guest speakers for S. 100 and invite VLCT