Valley Futures

The Mad River Valley Planning District’s second installment of its five-part Mad River Valley Energy Series takes place on Tuesday, September 20th – 7 PM at the Big Picture Theater. Residential & Community Solar brings professionals in the renewable energy field to speak on different aspects and opportunities for solar in the Mad River Valley. Fayston resident Gaelan Brown will provide an overview of solar with Photovoltaics 101. This will be followed by a discussion of the MRV Community Solar Farm project via the Mad River Valley Energy Network co-operative. Last, James Moore will provide a description of VPIRG’s Solar Community Program, which is making its way to the broader MRV in 2012. All are invited to this free community event.

Subsequent events will be held monthly through the end of the year: Financing Energy Projects (October 24), Biomass & Hot Water (November 15), and Energy Efficiency (December 13). These talks continue the dialogue of energy in the Valley through structured, information-based public discussions exploring a range of issues related to the Valley’s energy future.

Tags: Announcements, Energy by Joshua Schwartz
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Funding

• The MRV Community Fund has reopened its flood fund. Grants are available, please call 496-3638 and leave a message, or email info@mrvcommunityfund.org with your name, phone number and the address were flooding occurred.  Calls will be returned starting Wednesday, 9/7.
• The Difference Between 211 and FEMA per Governor’s website: Friday, September 2 – 8:22 a.m. – now that President Obama has signed a disaster declaration for the state of Vermont. The 211 call service is not the same as FEMA’s number for registration for federal assistance. Those who have suffered damages and losses in Chittenden, Rutland, Washington and Windsor counties can register for disaster assistance by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA). NOTE: Suggest you talk to MRV Community Fund (above) first to make sure you maximize what you can receive.
• Vermonters helping Vermonters – An effort initiated to help Vermonters and Vermont Communities affected by the  devastating flooding due to Hurricane Irene. 100% of all donations will be distributed to Vermont Communities and their businesses and  residents in need, www.vtirenefund.org/about-the-fund. If you would like to contribute please make checks payable to: VT Irene Flood Relief Fund or VT Irene FRF, 7 Walker Terrace, Montpelier, VT 05602
• Financial assistance may be available to farmers. Info here in a press release from VEM about what you need to apply: http://www.vermontagriculture.com/news/2011/Post_Irene_Farmer_Release.pdf

Volunteering

• http://www.facebook.com/MRVpostIrene is functioning as a community bulletin board with road updates, volunteer needs/requests, etc. The Masonic Lodge at corner of Bridge Street is the central location for help offers/needs and resources. Call 496-6089 or visit website http://mrvhurricaneirene.com/.
• More MRV specific communication and updates on Valley Futures listserv. Sign up at http://valleyfutures.net.
• VTResponse.com is working to connect volunteers ready to help with those that need assistance. If you want to help clean up and rebuild, let the folks behind this site know.

Other Info

• The Masonic Lodge at corner of Bridge Street is the central location for help offers/needs and resources. Call 496-6089 or visit website http://mrvhurricaneirene.com/.
• Waitsfield road closure info at http://www.waitsfieldvt.us/
• State-wide road closures, dial 511 or http://www.511vt.com/
• Vermont Emergency Management continues to post updates via their Facebook page and their website: http://vem.vermont.gov/.
• If you need assistance or information from the state, dial 211 or visit vt211.org. House damage should be made at 211 and then a damage assessment report should be completed with the operator. Homeowners can begin making repairs to their homes as soon as they are able (per EOC release Sept. 1).
• NOTE: If you intend to make any kind of claim, whether you are a homeowner, farmer, or local government, you should document your losses with date stamped photographs before you clean up.  Also document any costs you are incurring. You should also keep any hotel receipts or any other housing expenses incurred while you were displaced. FEMA inspectors are out in the field now assessing damage to homes.  However, if you have not called 211 it is not too late, Vermont is early in the relief process and you have time to report your damage.  211 is a reporting point only and new contact information will be provided to register once a declaration has been made. 211 is now operating with more call takers; if you get voice mail please leave a message and it will be returned in due course.
• vtresponse.wordpress.com is another site aggregating information that may be helpful.
• Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom has hired Myers to drop off 2 large roll off dumpsters to help dispose of flood damaged items. Note: The dumpsters will be located in our FRONT parking lot. They should be delivered by Wednesday morning. Myers advised they cannot accept tires, appliances, chemicals/hazardous materials or electronics in these dumpsters.
• VT Division for Historic Preservation is collecting info for the Emergency Declaration on cost and loss to historic buildings, landmarks and archeological sites. Towns are working with the MRV Rural Resource Commission on this effort. Contact Ellen Strauss for more info: straussarc@madriver.com.
• The Preservation Trust of Vermont has set up a list of resources for historic places damaged by flooding that may be a useful referral as calls come in: http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs041/1102172352505/archive/1107373832970.html. It is linked from their front page (http://www.ptvermont.org) and it includes info on their $500 matching grants for emergency conditions/engineering assessments.
• If your property was affected by flooding, your DRINKING WATER may be contaminated.  BOIL you water until you confirm that it is potable.  Contact the Vermont Department of Health to get you water tested for bacteria.
• If farmers experience damage to property or business, it should be reported to the county USDA Farm Service Agency (802-658-2803) or county Natural Resources Conservation Office (802-951-6796). These organizations are providing a summary to the Agency of Ag which will then forward to VEM.
• Natural Resources Conservation Services has the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) that can help protect property that is in threat of further damage if not immediately repaired. This program supports homeowners and towns facing immediate threats to life and property with 75% of the costs. They will send an engineer down your way to make an assessment. Call 802-951-6796 for information.
• Advice for flooded crops: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Important-Information-About-Flooded-Crops-for-Human—Animal-Consumption.html?soid=1101685099010&aid=vEFHos9v5s4.

Tags: Announcements, Flood Recovery by Joshua Schwartz
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Below is a press release announcing VEDA’s post-Irene emergency loan program for businesses and farmers.  I’ve also provided the links to VEDA information and application for the agricultural loans.

http://www.vermontagriculture.com/news/2011/irene_veda.pdf –  press release

http://www.veda.org/ – VEDA home page

http://www.veda.org/uploads/1314806432.pdf – info about agricultural emergency loans

http://www.veda.org/uploads/1314806495.pdf – agricultural emergency loan application

There are also emergency loans available for businesses.   See the VEDA website for information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 31, 2011
Contact: Susan Allen at 802-279-8493
Or Jo Bradley, Chief Executive Officer
Vermont Economic Development Authority
802-828-5627

SPECIAL VEDA FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR HURRICANE-DAMAGED BUSINESSES AND FARMS

MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin, Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross, Secretary Lawrence Miller from
the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, and VEDA CEO Jo Bradley announced today
that Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) has allocated up to $10 million in special lowinterest financing for Vermont businesses and farms who suffered direct physical damage as a result of
Hurricane Irene.

The Hurricane Irene Assistance Loan Program funds are available immediately, the Governor said.
“This is important support for farmers and business owners across the state who found themselves in
the path of the storm,” Gov. Shumlin said. “I hope those in need will take advantage of this program.”
“Many of Vermont’s businesses and farms suffered significant damage as a result of the terrible flooding
caused by the hurricane,” said Bradley. “We want to do everything we can to help those affected
rebound as quickly as possible from these devastating losses.”

The funds will be available to help commercial businesses and farms who suffered direct physical
damage as a result of the hurricane. Affected not-for-profit organizations are also eligible for the special
low-interest financing.

Eligible financing purposes include, but are not limited to, damages to and/or losses of inventory,
equipment, business premises, feed, crops and livestock. The maximum loan amount under the
program is $100,000; the interest rate will be 1 percent for the first two years of the loan, with no
payments required during the first year. At the beginning of the third year, the rate will adjust for
commercial businesses to the VEDA Small Business Loan Program variable index, and for farm loans, to
the Vermont Agriculture Credit Corporation prime rate index.

Applications for financing may be obtained by calling VEDA at 802-828-5627. Applications may also be
downloaded and/or completed on-line at www.veda.org.

Applications will be reviewed and loans approved on a first-come, first-served basis until all available
funds are exhausted. For more information, please contact VEDA at 802-828-5627, visit www.veda.org,
or email info@veda.org.

Tags: Announcements, Flood Recovery by Joshua Schwartz
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