News & Archive
Jon Copans to become Executive Director of MCRR
The Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience announces that Jon Copans has been hired as its new Executive Director. The Commission was formed to coordinate and drive forward flood recovery and resilience work in the wake of the July 2023 floods. The Commission serves as a convening and resource partner for the municipality and its citizens and working groups advancing flood recovery and resilience projects in the city. Jon rose to the top of a large pool of highly qualified candidates. Commission members are delighted that his vision, experience with climate and resilience issues, and commitment to Montpelier will soon be at work making the community stronger.
Copans comes to the Commission from Old Spokes Home, a nonprofit bike shop centered around transportation equity programs where he served as Executive Director. Previously, he worked at the Vermont Council on Rural Development directing climate and leadership programs, as Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Public Service, as Senior Policy Advisor at the Department of Environmental Conservation, and he served for eight years in the Vermont Office of (then) Congressman Peter Welch. He lives in Montpelier.
“We were stunned by and grateful for the quality of candidates who responded to our search,” said Nathan Suter, who led the hiring process. “Jon’s collaborative leadership style, attention to inclusive process, experience guiding complex decisions, and creative intellect attracted the Commission to him.”
“In the aftermath of last summer’s flood, we came together to support each other in recovery and to talk about the steps we need to take to mitigate future disasters,” noted Copans. “I am humbled to take on this role of supporting the Commission and my community as we transform those conversations into actions.”
“As we shift from deliberation to action, Jon’s experience navigating policy and bringing communities together to drive toward solutions will be a critical foundation to carry the Commission's work forward,” said Commission Chair Ben Doyle.
The next public forum hosted by the Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience is May 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Montpelier Senior Center. Community members are invited to connect with Copans and the Commissioners, as well as share ideas and give feedback on Commission priorities for action.
More information on the Commission, its activities and related resources is available at
https://www.montpelierstrong.org/
March Update
Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience
March 2024 Update (04.11.2024)
Contact: Ben Doyle, Commission Chair
802-839-9914
Late in March, the Commission (MCRR) was informed by the United States Postal Service that it will restore retail and post office box services in downtown Montpelier. The USPS signed a lease for space in the City Center at 89 Main Street and is in the process of fitting it up with a goal of opening before the summer months. This news marks an important step in the community’s recovery from the flooding of July 2023. It comes after months of advocacy by the MCRR in coordination with the congressional delegation and city leadership.
Also in late March, the MCRR concluded its hiring process with an agreement with Jon Copans who will become its Executive Director. Jon’s experience in community engagement, leadership, knowledge of federal, state and local policy and programs, understanding of issues related to climate and resilience and deep commitment to Montpelier will soon be at work full time making Montpelier stronger.
Other work over the past month included:
Contacting members of the Vermont House Appropriations Committee in support of funding requested by the cities Montpelier and Barre to elevate damaged homes. The funding was included in the House version of the FY2025 Budget and is now under consideration in the Senate.
Continued work to advance the flood plain restoration project at 5 Home Farm Way along the Winooski.
Meeting with subject area experts as part of process of developing an enhanced local emergency operations plan.
More information about the Commission, its activities or related resources can be found at www.montpelierstrong.org
Post Office Update
March 30, 2024
For Immediate Release
Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience
Contact: Ben Doyle, Commission Chair
802-839-9914
The Montpelier Commission for Recovery and Resilience has been informed by the United States Postal Service (‘USPS’) that it has signed a lease for space to house a post office in downtown Montpelier. The Commission welcomes the news that a post office will return downtown marking a key step in the city’s ongoing recovery from the flooding of July 2023. The USPS has agreed to site retail and P.O. Box services in the City Center building, 89 Main Street. While an opening date is not yet established, USPS’s goal is to open the facility before the summer months. It has been a priority of the Commission to ensure the restoration of the community’s local post office in a downtown location. The Commission worked for months to secure its return including by organizing a public rally, coordinating efforts with the congressional delegation, and steady communication with the USPS calling on it to meet its responsibilities under federal regulations.
Montpelier has been without a post office for 262 days impacting citizens, businesses, our valued letter carriers and neighboring communities. The USPS decision likely would not have come without the combined efforts of U.S. Senators Welch and Sanders and Representative Balint, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, the City’s state legislators and municipal leaders, and the many, many Montpelier residents who contacted the USPS directly. All are to be thanked and applauded for standing up for Montpelier.