What is the ECOS Project?
The ECOS Project, “A Sustainable Future for Chittenden County,” represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to engage citizens, organizations and municipalities in a conversation about the future of our communities and the region as a whole. Watch the one-minute video below for a visual explanation of the ECOS Project:
Funded with $1 million grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Project (with co-sponsorship from the EPA and U.S. DOT), the three-year ECOS Project was designed to prioritize and implement regional sustainable community development initiatives. The project did not start from scratch, but rather built upon all of the planning work done to date. The grant helped create the 2013 ECOS Plan, as well as the process for a broad community conversation about the future of our region that is intended to continue into the future.
The ECOS Plan was created over the course of three years, culminating with updates to the County’s most important planning documents and implementation of other local projects. This initiative was guided by highly involved project partners, a large and diverse steering committee, state and local agencies, business leaders, non-profit agencies, and, importantly, the citizens of the region. Throughout the process, residents of Chittenden County were invited to participate in events for developing the project. These events were the backbone of this project, providing first-hand the ideas and actions that help shape the future of the region. The information below describes the three-year effort that resulted in the ECOS Plan; the ECOS Project will continue as stakeholders work collaboratively on implementation of the goals described in the Plan.
The project is based on a cooperative agreement among members of a project Steering Committee, representing all of the 19 municipalities in Chittenden County as well as over 40 non profit, institutional and governmental agencies and organizations. The Steering Committee guided the activities associated with the project.
ECOS Project Phases
The ECOS Plan was accomplished through five phases:
- Goals
- Data Analysis
- Indicators
- Plans
- Grants
A key component of the work in each of these phases was the integration of public comments and ideas to reflect shared implementation priorities and to develop a common vision for the region’s future. The initiative included a comprehensive outreach component to engage Chittenden County citizens of all ages and backgrounds in the development of the project goals and outcomes. As part of this effort, the project used a wide variety of techniques to reach out to and involve different constituencies, particularly those groups and individuals who do not typically participate in public planning projects.
The results of the phases were incorporated into the 2013 ECOS Plan, which is an update to the Chittenden County Regional Plan, Metropolitan Transportation Plan, and Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
Steering Committee
The ECOS Project Steering Committee members listed below committed to and participated in the development of the ECOS Plan through a cooperative Steering Committee Agreement. The agreement outlined the objectives, benefits and responsibilities of the Steering Committee members to guide their activities associated with the project. The agreement was signed by all of the Steering Committee members who represent the 19 municipalities in Chittenden County as well as 40 non profit, institutional and governmental agencies and organizations.
Town of Bolton
Town of Buel’s Gore
City of Burlington
Town of Charlotte
Town of Colchester
Town of Essex
Village of Essex Junction
Town of Hinesburg
Town of Huntington
Town of Jericho
Town of Milton
Town of Richmond
Town of St. George
Town of Shelburne
City of South Burlington
Town of Underhill
Town of Westford
Town of Williston
City of Winooski
Association of Africans Living in Vermont
Burlington City Arts
Champlain Housing Trust
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
Champlain Water District
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission
Chittenden Solid Waste District
Chittenden County Schools Superintendents
Chittenden County Transit Authority
Fletcher Allen Health Care
Good News Garage
Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation
Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Northern VT
IBM
Intervale
Judy Dow
Just Transformations
Lake Champlain Basin Program
Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
Local Motion
Northwest Regional Planning Commission
Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors
TetraTech ARD
United Way/Champlain Initiative
University of Vermont
Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development
Vermont Agency of Human Services
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Vermont Center for Independent Living
Vermont Department of Health
Vermont Department of Labor
Vermont Department of Emergency Management
Vermont Energy Investment Corporation
Vermont Farm Bureau
Vermont Housing Finance Agency
Vermont Interfaith Action
Vermont Legal Aid
Vermont Multicultural Alliance for Democracy
Vermont Natural Resources Council (includes former Smart Growth Vermont)
Vermont State Refugee Coordinator
Winooski Valley Park District
Steering Committee Meetings
Below please find the meeting materials for all Steering Committee meetings during the ECOS Project process.
January 30, 2013
Agenda & Packet »
Presentation »
Video »
October 24, 2012
Agenda & Packet Part 1 »
Agenda & Packet Part 2 (Draft Plan) »
Video »
Minutes »
July 25, 2012
Agenda & Packet »
Video »
Minutes »
April 25, 2012
Agenda & Packet »
Video »
Minutes »
January 25, 2012
Agenda & Packet »
Video »
Minutes »
October 26, 2011
Agenda & Packet »
Video »
Minutes »
March 16, 2011
Agenda & Packet »
Minutes »