VERGENNES — Efforts to enhance the economic viability and preserve the beauty and character of downtown Vergennes took center stage at the annual meeting of the Vergennes Partnership, held June 1 at Falls Park on the banks of Otter Creek.
Partnership President Renny Perry and others updated the more than a dozen people in attendance that the three-minute video promoting Vergennes and its environs has been viewed 14,000 times from the Vermont Department of Tourism Facebook page, which shared the video after it was released last month.
The video — designed to lure prospective visitors, residents and businesses — includes shots of the city’s downtown, Otter Creek, events such as Vergennes Day, and area attractions such as the Basin Harbor Club and Lake Champlain.
The Partnership also reported that:
•  It is also working on developer incentives for housing.
•  The Efficiency Vermont program that’s provided energy-related information and upgrade projects has been going very well. Efficiency Vermont energy audits are free for residential clients as part of this.
•  The Vergennes Partnership has 900 followers on social media, which officials characterized as “awesome.”
•  Announced Sept. 30 as the date for the eat on the park food festival.
Mayor Mike Daniels also discussed projects he’d like to see. The include:
•  A new gate at Falls Park and adding a 20-foot-by-30-foot pavilion.
•  Harmony park — a musical instrument zone, sponsored by the Rotary.
•  Frisbee golf course.
•  Repair of the river docks.
People were reminded that the annual Junior Fishing Derby will be held June 23-24, with awards bestowed on June 25. The Vergennes falls will be lit with colored lights, like Niagara Falls.