NCRC Brainstorm's Newport's Future

NEWPORT CITY – The Community College of Vermont (CCV) is in the middle of launching the Governor’s Career Ready Certificate Program.

The program is free to participants approved by the Department of Labor. The 10-week course will meet three to four hours twice a week. Mercedes Pour, Academic Coordinator at CCV, told the Economic Restructuring Committee, which is part of the Newport City Renaissance Corporation (NCRC), that the school will be able to run a full class. A second class for those who can’t attend an evening one may be held later.

Pour is not sure how the class will immediately affect the downtown area. Many of the people who showed interest want to focus on areas like manufacturing, she said.

That led Trish Sears, executive director of NCRC, to ask how the area begins to recognize Newport as a “college town.”

“I think it’s really exciting because there’s more work to be done,” said Pour. “CCV needs to get out in the community.”