This commentary is by Dylan Giambatista of Essex Junction. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 2017 – 2021 and currently chairs the city’s Board of Civil Authority.
I support the Champlain Valley Exposition’s plan to update its venue and host more concerts in our community. While some locals critique the CVE for its perceived loudness or misplace blame about foregone revenues, I have a different take — our city is fortunate to host one of the main stages in Vermont. It’s key to the vitality of our region and good for Essex Junction.
Most everyone I know has experienced the thrill of a great live performance. I’ve had the good fortune to pluck a guitar or whack a backbeat at venues all across the country and in our area. It’s been disheartening to see many of the locations I used to perform at in Vermont, including several that received public funding such as 242 Main and Memorial Auditorium, stumble on hard times or shutter. Our stages are community cornerstones. They foster culture and bring neighbors together.
Providing the CVE with latitude to host more events will support multiple objectives for our community. Affordable opportunities to enjoy live music are increasingly rare. In fact, ticket pricing has become so problematic nationwide that Congress began advancing bipartisan legislation this spring to address the challenge. It’s been my experience that CVE performances are reasonably priced and readily accessible. That’s great news for Vermonters who are seeking entertainment.
As a practical matter for Essex Junction, the large events the CVE hosts attract visitors, many of whom buy goods and services at area businesses. Contrary to some assertions, both the CVE and its vendors remit taxes that support our community and state. Given that 25% of meals & rooms tax collected statewide flows into the education fund, those contributions directly offset dollars that would otherwise show up on the education portion of your property tax bill.
Many of the transactions at the fairgrounds are also captured by our local option tax. On top of that, the CVE makes an annual payment in lieu of taxes to Essex Junction. I’ve heard some protest that “the CVE doesn’t pay property taxes.” Here again, it’s important to understand that state property tax exemptions are not a local policy the City Council controls.
Beyond financial considerations, I believe Essex Junction should support the CVE’s live performance goals in service to our region — a number of venues have shuttered in recent years. The reality facing these entities is well known. For instance, Sen. Peter Welch has supported legislation to “Save our Stages” and continues to advocate for the needs of concert venues. By providing a measure of flexibility to the CVE, our community would give the operators the assurance they need to make investments in one of the largest stages in the region. I believe this will accrue to the benefit of our community and state.
I have heard many neighbors voice support for granting additional flexibility to the CVE. I have also read certain community members’ criticisms of the proposal and the CVE’s operators. Many of the concerns are misplaced. And while I grant it’s unlikely anyone can offer a solution to change the way sound travels in different seasons under varied weather conditions, I am sure of this: Essex Junction benefits from the CVE’s presence in our community. More performances will generate additional value. For that reason, I hope you’ll join me in encouraging the Essex Junction City Council to permit additional shows during warmer months.