A weekly brief on what we're watching – so you don't have to.
If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
July 25, 2022
This is your BBA Brief, a quick look at issues on the horizon for Team BBA.
We'll give a lowdown of issues of importance to you and your business that we're watching this week. Join the discussion or rest easy knowing we're on the case advocating for our members and a vibrant Burlington.
Happy Monday,
CH
Advocacy Alert- City to Vote on Police Contract Tonight
A Special City Council Meeting will be held tonight at 6pm to vote on the ratification of the BPOA Contract.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6pm. There will be an opportunity for public comment at 7:30. We encourage anyone with concerns about the future of the Burlington Police Department to consider speaking out. Public comment is available both over zoom and in-person at City Hall. Zoom public comment sign up can be found here: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/citycouncil/publicforum
SevenDays published a story about the contract last week that can be found here. More info on tonight's meeting can be found on Boarddocs.
On Wednesday, July 6th, the BBA co-hosted a candidate forum on the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s race. During this forum, we heard fromSarah George (I) and her opponentTed Kenney, both Democrats vying for the party’s nomination in the August, 9th Primary. There are no Republicans in this race. MyNBC5’s Stewart Ledbetter moderated the forum.
Thank you to the South Burlington Business Association, the Vermont Retail and Grocers Association, and the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce for their partnership on this event. Together we have co-authored this in-depth analysis of the forum.
If you haven’t contributed to the conversation surrounding the South End Innovation District, make sure to do so by Friday!
Share your your priorities and vision related to the character of the District’s future housing, public spaces, and land uses. Think big about solutions to our housing crisis!Members can also reach out to the Planning Team by email to share additional feedback.
What’s Next:
Over the next month, the City Planning team will be reviewing and summarizing the feedback.
This Fall, a proposed zoning change will be discussed with the City's Planning Commission.
The goal is to have the City Council to review this by the end of the year
Half Price Parking - Downtown Garage
At the Downtown Garage (formerly Lakeview & College ST Garage)
Amtrak Grand Opening
All aboard!
The day has finally come, the first passenger train in almost 70 years is set to depart from Burlington’s Union Station this Friday, July 29th! It is scheduled to leave Union Station at 10:10 that morning and arrive at Penn Station in New York City at 5:45 that evening, making numerous stops throughout Vermont and New York along the way. Tickets on sale now!
BETA @ BTV Lease
City Council approves 75 year lease with BETA Technologies
On Monday night the City Council was unanimous in their decision to sign a 75 year lease between the Burlington International Airport and BETA Technologies. This will allow BETA to build a 355,00 square foot manufacturing facility and a 15,000 square foot childcare facility on the airport grounds. They plan to design and build a fully electric aircraft once they receive federal approval in the next few years. As part of the lease, BETA will invest $11.5 million in infrastructure improvements at the airport. This could cover their cost of rent for up to 38 years depending on the rate of inflation.
BETA Technologies currently employs about 300 Vermont employees, with plans to expand once the new facility is complete in 2023.
The BBA’s committees provide a forum for discussion and action based on the needs of the business community. Committees are open to all members. Let us know if you'd like to learn more.
Waterfront Action Group - meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 8am
Downtown Action Group - meets the last Tuesday of each month at 9:30am
Programs Committee - meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 4pm
• If this email landed in your Promotions tab in Gmail, please take a second and drag it to your Primary tab. This makes a big difference to the Google inbox algo and you’ll never miss a Brief.
