September 9, 2015
Contact: Paul Costello, VCRD Executive Director, 223-5763, pcostello@vtrural.org
Regional Forum to Explore Next Steps for Vermont’s Climate Change Economy
Area businesses and nonprofits are increasingly involved with climate change–both its challenges and opportunities. Their creative solutions are becoming a growing part of our state’s economy. What are your experiences? Do you have ideas that can help nurture this sector in Vermont? Join Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation Executive Director Adam Grinold and area business leaders for a forum on What’s Next for Vermont’s Climate Change Economy? The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is producing this free discussion which takes place at the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro on Tuesday, October 6, from 7-9pm.
“In the Windham Region, we have seen and supported a great deal of business collaboration and innovation around green building, including the Green Building Cluster projects we have recently gained federal funding support for,” says BDCC’s Grinold. “We are excited to join with business and community leaders around Vermont in proactively addressing climate change.”
The regional forum is the next step for public input to the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council. This group, formed following a statewide Summit in February, is developing a practical plan to reduce carbon emissions and stimulate green economic development in Vermont. The panelists include Peter Yost, Vice President of BuildingGreen, Orly Munzing, Executive Director of Strolling of the Heifers, and Bob Stevens, President of Stevens & Associates.
The Summit focused on economic development in a time of climate change, including transportation, education, investment strategies, downtown redevelopment, tourism, and efficiency. The report, which provides excellent background material for the forum, is online at vtrural.org/programs/summits/2015-climate-economy-report
“We have an opportunity to lead in the climate economy, attract and nurture entrepreneurism, build on the VT brand, and support the future prosperity of our communities,” explains VCRD Executive Director Paul Costello. “We look forward to hearing diverse ideas about how to advance the state’s economic future.”
More information about the forum and the Council can be found through VCRD’s home page at vtrural.org, through Facebook at Vermont Climate Change Economy, or by calling Jenna Whitson at 802 225-6091 or writing jenna@vtrural.org.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is a non-profit organization charged by the federal farm bill to act as a neutral convener at both the local and policy level supporting the progress of Vermont communities. VCRD will promote the platform of action that comes from the deliberations of Summit participants.
Past VCRD policy efforts have supported progress in issues ranging from wood products to downtown revitalization, rural energy development, the digital economy, and Vermont’s working landscape. VCRD produced the most extensive evaluation of Vermont values and priorities in a generation when it led the Council on the Future of Vermont in 2009.
This is the only forum being held in Windham County on this topic.