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by Paul Costello Vermont’s pandemic recovery is a catalytic opportunity for creative renewal. How do we work together to revitalize Vermont? Where do our values, principles, culture and economy fit together as we search for common paths to a more resilient, prosperous and welcoming state?
Throughout this long year, the Vermont Council on Rural Development has brought together thousands of Vermonters working for recovery in their communities, and in county and statewide efforts. In Zoom call after Zoom call, we have seen the faces of Vermonters, often tired and anxious. One regional participant in recovery efforts put it, “We are working with desperate urgency to plan, but circumstances prevent any knowledge of what’s coming at us next.” We’ve helped local leaders learn from each other, build protocols and share best practices. Also, we’ve been asking them what they believe will be essential for Vermont’s recovery.
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$9 million available for NH, Vermont towns, nonprofits
March 14, 2021
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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) The Northern Borders Regional Commission is planning to deliver over $9 million in funding for New Hampshire and Vermont municipalities and nonprofits through an infrastructure development investment program.
The program funds employment-generating projects that help to reduce poverty, unemployment and outmigration. Last year s recipients included the Fairbanks Museum and Catamount Arts, both in St. Johnsbury, the Vermont Council on Rural Development, the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, and FIRST New Hampshire robotics programs in Coos and Grafton counties.
The program also serves areas of Maine and New York. The commission funds economic and community development projects in the four states.
BDCC Supports Rockingham’s Work with Local Development Experts
Vermont Business Magazine Restoring downtown buildings was identified as a top priority during last year’s Rockingham community visit, led by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD). To sustain this momentum and address the need for small-scale development in downtown Bellows Falls, the Town of Rockingham sought help through BDCC’s Southern Vermont Economy Project (SVEP). BDCC identified the Incremental Development Alliance (IncDev) which provides technical assistance to transform development plans into tangible action.
Last fall, BDCC introduced local Rockingham partners to IncDev to see how they could help the town proceed. Redevelop Bellows Falls Buildings Task Force, Town of Rockingham, Village of Bellows Falls, Windham Regional Commission, Bellows Falls Area Development Corporation, Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce and others supported moving forward with IncDev. BDCC helped secure funding and
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This was a rich week for the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee as we took testimony regarding some of the programs we consider our legacy.
Early in the week, we heard from folks who work on the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative. Working Lands was created in 2012 to increase investment in our agriculture and forestry sectors. It was based on the hard work of many people appointed by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) to the Working Landscape Council. The Council consisted of representatives from the full spectrum of farmers, processors, government officials, and forestry-related sectors. Also on the Council was Windham Countyâs own, Roger Allbee, who is the former Secretary of Agriculture, and Paul Costello, the Executive Director of VCRD.