Gov. Douglas Introduces Four-part Strategy to Promote Vermont TBED

In his inaugural address last week, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas announced a four-part plan to bolster research and high-tech economic development. The governor’s Vermont Way Forward strategy would promote high-tech business, particularly in the state’s emerging environmental engineering industry. In addition, the strategy includes a plan to make Vermont what the governor says would be the country’s first “e-state,” one in which universal access to broadband and wireless technology are available anywhere within the state’s borders.

 

To capitalize on the growing demand for environmentally-conscious technology solutions, the Vermont Way Forward plan calls for the creation of an Environmental Engineering Advisory Council to coordinate state efforts to support research and innovation in developing environmental technologies and services. The council would be composed of engineering, math, science and technology experts appointed by both the state legislature and the governor’s office. Its members would help guide the state toward becoming a world leader in environmental engineering research and business.

 

The plan also would support high-tech development in the state by providing universal wireless cellular and broadband access anywhere in the state. A new Vermont Telecommunication Authority would partner with private businesses to build a “next-generation” infrastructure for voice and Internet access. The strategy calls for $40 million in bond backing for the authority, which the governor estimates would leverage an additional $200 million in private investment. Universal telecommunications access would provide a significant boost to rural businesses, and a competitive advantage to the state when competing for new high-tech enterprises, according to the governor's office.

 

Universal broadband also would allow the state to provide broadband access to K-12 schools and students, bringing them additional exposure to web resources and technologies. To further encourage students’ high-tech education, the plan would create several regional schools for math, science and technology, which it is hoped would produce highly-skilled workers to assist in the sustained growth of state tech industries.

 

Finally, the governor’s strategy outlines several tax incentives to encourage the use of renewable fuels in Vermont. These incentives include:

• A one percentage point reduction of the tax on fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles;
• A reduction in the tax rate on biodiesel for individuals and businesses; and,
• A tax incentive to encourage residential use of bio-fuels for heating.

These incentives are intended to encourage the use of clean and renewable technologies while creating a market for the environmental engineering advances intended by the plan.

 

Read Gov. Douglas’ Inaugural Address at: http://www.vermont.gov/tools/whatsnew2/index.php?topic=GovPressReleases&id=2230&v=Article