NRPC Receives Rural Investment Project Grant to Strengthen Small Water Systems

Northwest Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) has been selected as one of four grantees of the Rural Investment Project. The NRPC’s initiative will strengthen small drinking water systems across Franklin and Grand Isle Counties and explore new opportunities for regional collaboration, shared services, and infrastructure investment.

This grant will support NRPC’s work to convene small water and fire districts for training and discussion of shared services; develop draft shared services and financial-planning approaches; and help them identify and apply for grant and loan funding for predevelopment and capital improvements. Funding may also support legal assistance for shared services agreements and capacity to pursue professional engineering resources.

The Rural Investment Project specifically supports multi-town partnerships, collaboratives, and development hubs advancing projects that can contribute to economic transformation in rural places. Projects supported through the grant program are using—or seeking to use—multiple forms of capital, such as grants, debt, public finance, and private investment.

You are invited to learn more about an ongoing study relating to Missisquoi Bay. The study evaluates the economic impacts of water quality and cyanobacteria blooms in Missisquoi Bay. Led by the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, the research uses

property value and retail sales modeling to quantify how changing water conditions affect local economics.

WHAT - Online meeting to describe the study and share preliminary findings from portions of the study

WHERE - Zoom platform—See details below

WHEN - 6:30pm on Thursday, November 5

For questions, email Dean Pierce.

NRPC Board Approves Conformation Comments for Tactical Basin Plans

The public comment period for two Vermont Tactical Basin Plans (TBPs) closed on October 29, 2026. The plans cover the Missisquoi Bay Basin (Basin 6) and the Lamoille River Basin (Basin 7). Tactical basin plans serve as five-year roadmaps to protect and restore surface water quality.

On September 30, 2026, Karen Bates of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) presented the draft plans to the NRPC Board. Her presentation outlined strategies to reduce phosphorus and restore stream stability across multiple land-use sectors.

On October 14, 2026, the NRPC Plan and Policy Committee reviewed the draft plans. Staff recommended finding both plans in direct conformance with the 2026 Northwest Regional Plan. The committee voted to forward these conformance recommendations and formal comments to the full Board.

The NRPC Board of Commissioners met on October 28, 2026. The Board voted to adopt the Plan and Policy Committee's recommendations.

NRPC will submit its formal comments to DEC via a letter to the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources. The comments endorse the draft plans as effective tools to implement the Lake Champlain Phosphorus TMDL and regional climate resilience goals. NRPC also serves as the designated Clean Water Service Provider for both basins.

Vermont Local Emergency Management Director Course Offerings

There are several opportunities to take this virtual/online course. This course will familiarize Local Emergency Management Directors (EMD) and Coordinators (EMC) with major roles, responsibilities, and “how to do it” guidance, across all four phases of Emergency Management. 

Homeland Security Funding Available

The Vermont Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security Grants Unit is now accepting applications for the FY 2026 State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP). Eligible local governments, regional organizations, and state agencies may apply for funding to support projects that strengthen preparedness, prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities related to terrorism and other major hazards. Applications are due November 15, 2026. 

Large Event Planning Annex Updated

Vermont Emergency Management has updated its Large Event Planning Annex, which helps towns and organizations prepare for large events. This Annex is to help towns and event planners consider how best to protect everyone involved in a large event, and residents in that community. The compendium provides a template for towns to plan for such events.

Sheldon Springs Pedestrian

Scoping Study

On Tuesday, October 6, community members gathered at the Sheldon Elementary School library for a public presentation of proposed pedestrian improvements as part of the Sheldon Springs Pedestrian Scoping Study. Led by VHB Project Manager, Drew Gingras, the meeting welcomed members of the Planning Commission, local Girl Scouts, and their leaders.

The proposed improvements focus on adding sidewalks along Mill Street and Vermont Route 105 to improve pedestrian connections between the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail (MVRT) and Sheldon Elementary School, including safer crossings near the corner convenience store. Discussion centered on identifying the safest and most practical options, project costs, visibility, pedestrian comfort, and accommodating school events.

Community input is an important part of the scoping process and will help inform the development of potential improvements to make walking in Sheldon Springs safer and more accessible.

For more information on this scoping study contact Kyle Grenier.

Images Above: Sheldon Springs Pedestrian Project Area

Annual WindowDressers

Community Build

NRPC, in conjunction with Saint Albans City Energy and Climate Committee, successfully hosted the region’s annual WindowDressers Community Build at St. Albans City Hall in early October. The Maine based non-profit helps volunteer groups build insulating window inserts for residents, including free inserts for low-income residents. After months of organizing, promoting, and measuring, volunteers gathered to build 160 inserts for residents across the region. A community gathering as much as a volunteering opportunity, participants ate lunch together, worked together, and were able to make new community connections. If you are interested in inserts for your home or in volunteering with the group, contact Marlena Valenta.

Images Above: WindowDressers community build with volunteers.

Learn About New Climate

Planning Guides for Cities and Towns!

The State of Vermont’s Climate Action Office is launching a set of three guides to support municipal governments to take climate action that can boost local resilience, cut carbon pollution, and support thriving communities. These guides have been designed in partnership with municipal staff, regional planners, state officials, and local partners. Together, they will help Vermont communities move toward a more resilient and low-carbon future.

This webinar will provide background on how the guides were developed, lessons learned from communities piloting the guides, and ways that communities can use these tools for climate planning or other existing planning processes. 

Join us December 3 at 12:00pm!

Agritourism & Local Planning

in Vermont Workshop

Friday, November 13, Noon - 3:00pm

Judd Hall, Vermont State University, Randolph, VT

Free to attend. Lunch is provided.

Agritourism is growing on Vermont farms and can be an important piece of the farm profitability puzzle, but as part of the regulatory framework it often lands on the desks of planners, zoning administrators, and select boards. This afternoon workshop looks at lessons-learned and examples from states and stakeholders throughout the northeast that participated in the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NESARE) agritourism research project to support farm entrepreneurship within regulatory contexts. 

We'll discuss how local zoning, Act 250, and Agency of Agriculture rules fit together, and what Vermont farm operators told us about permitting. During this workshop, we will work through real-world scenarios with your peers.

Organized by Windham Regional Commission, University of Vermont Extension, Cultivating Tourism, and West Virginia University. Funded by Northeast SARE.

Please register by Friday, November 6. For questions, email Chadley Hollas.