Vermont Business Magazine The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), and Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) have identified 25 small and rural communities nationwide. announced support. Strategies for growing the outdoor recreation economy and revitalizing Main Street through the Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC) program. Three New England communities were selected. Bangor, Maine; Claremont, New Hampshire; and Marshfield, Vermont.
EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash said: “The $689 billion outdoor recreation economy has benefited greatly from federal partnership programs like this one, and his three towns in New England participating this year will provide new jobs and recreational facilities for both residents and visitors. add.”
A federal planning team will work with each community over a period of four to six months, centered around two days of facilitated community workshops. Participants will work together to develop strategies and action plans to grow the local outdoor recreation economy. Several workshops are currently underway. The community was selected from over 100 applicants following a comprehensive interagency review process.
Selected community:
Bangor, Maine: The Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau and partners wish to market, promote and connect nearby outdoor recreation properties, including the Penobscot River, to Bangor’s downtown properties. Create growth opportunities for local businesses. Attract tourists and residents to the city. A local steering committee will develop eco-friendly green spaces, additional areas for new water access, and new walking trails to promote sustainable land management, enhance water quality and improve the health of residents. I am planning to
Claremont, New Hampshire: The City of Claremont’s Parks, Recreation, Planning and Development Department and other partners want to connect the city’s Main Street revitalization efforts with nearby recreational assets, including local parks and forests, riverbanks and a growing trail network. I think. The project will examine and include a number of recreational assets, including the EPA’s ongoing Brownfield Restoration Project and Brownfield Assessment Project currently downtown.
Marshfield, Vermont: The town of Marshfield and partners want to market the town’s recreational opportunities to visitors. Expand local business opportunities in the village. Reroute a section of the Cross Vermont Trail onto an old railroad deck. Promote outdoor recreational activities throughout the four seasons. The town also wants to involve residents who are not normally involved in planning discussions so that everyone can benefit from the recreational opportunities outdoors.
Background:
According to the 2021 Outdoor Participation Trends Report, more than 160 million Americans ages 6 and older participated in outdoor recreation in 2020. Pandemic. These activities, including camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, campervaning, boating, running, swimming, baseball and winter sports, bring new investments and jobs to local economies, health and wellness benefits, and conservation. can raise awareness of Conserve forests and other natural resources and improve the quality of life for residents.
For more information:
View a list of selected communities and projects
Learn about EPA’s community empowerment efforts
EPA’s Brownfield Program
EPA Region 1 Details: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-1-new-england
Boston (August 22, 2022) — US Environmental Protection Agency
