A community forum in Brandon on October 16 will introduce a project studying the Neshobe River and to gather community input on ways to protect business and the local economy from future floods.
BRANDON – Sep 23, 2014: The Rutland Regional Planning Commission (RRPC) and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) invite Brandon businesses, employees and homeowners to attend an October 16th community forum to learn about a project studying the Neshobe River and to gather community input on ways to protect business and the local economy from future floods.
The community forum is the first step in a project called the Vermont Economic Resiliency Initiative or VERI. The VERI project is designed to help Brandon evaluate the flood risk to business and infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities), and identify the steps Brandon and the state can take to minimize rebuilding and recovery costs and ensure businesses stay open — saving jobs and protecting the economy.
Who: Anyone who lives or works or owns a business in Brandon is invited
When: October 16, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Where: Brandon Town Hall, 1 Conant Square (US Route 7)
The meeting will be facilitated by Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Noelle MacKay.
“Brandon residents and business showcased their resourceful, self-reliant, community spirit in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene,” said Commissioner MacKay. “However, the ongoing recovery taught us that no one individual, business, organization, town or state agency can tackle a crisis alone – -and input from the Brandon community is critical to the success of this project.”
VERI is funded by the US Economic Development Administration (EDA), led by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, in partnership with the Regional Planning Commissions, Agencies of Natural Resources and Transportation.
To participate in this event, RSVP is required by October 8 by emailing LKeir@rutlandrpc.org or calling 802-775-0871 x205.
Contact: Laura Keir, Rutland Regional Planning Commission, LKeir@rutlandrpc.org , 802-775-0871 x205
