A way for towns to engage and bring together their residents, set common goals and directions in a neutral and facilitated structure, and access resources that will help them take action on those goals.
The temptation with bad news, like that of the closing of Green Mountain College, is to sit on one’s hands, paralyzed by structural change beyond immediate local control. The alternative is to come together, line up strategies and do what is in your power to move your community forward.
In 2016, VCRD held its community visit process in Vernon. Revitalizing the town and establishing a village center was one of the priorities the community chose as a result of the process. This article shares some of the progress they’ve made since the visit. By Olga Peters/The Commons: http://www.commonsnews.org/site/sitenext/story.php?articleno=31591&page=1 VERNON—As at least 20 people toured…
By Layla Burke Hastings, as seen in The Commons: http://www.commonsnews.org/site/sitenext/story.php?articleno=31565 BELLOWS FALLS—Echoes of solidarity and a desire for a unified long-term planning approach was on the minds of community members during a series of public forums led by Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) on Dec. 4, as part of its community visit to Rockingham…
BY BILL LOCKWOOD, as seen in The Shopper: https://vermontjournal.com/news/council-on-rural-development-holds-community-forums-in-rockingham/ BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – On the evening of Dec. 4, a large, interested group from the Rockingham community responded to the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s nine community forums held at three locations in Bellows Falls. The Rockingham Selectboard had invited the council to bring its process…
When talk turns to obstacles holding back rural Vermont, the lack of high-speed internet is often cited. The last gubernatorial race even saw a candidate who pitched broadband expansion as the new rural electrification.
Through the Westford’s Future process, community members came together to identify and prioritize goals, foster local leadership, connect to resources and develop and realize achievable action plans. Through 2 public meetings, community members chose three community priorities for action and signed up for task force groups to move them forward. The new task force groups…
The community conversation was billed as “Attracting and Retaining Young People.” But the older resident in work jeans and boots came to discuss what could keep hold of him, too.
By Susan Smallheer, as seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/loyalty-pride-cited-as-rockingham-assets,591832?fbclid=IwAR2C0V9RF_mYYRcao7hclDhvjo8VTcoLsq7HNzp6hIYXLTC22xduwBwVbHI BELLOWS FALLS — Hometown pride is palpable in Bellows Falls and Rockingham, members of the “Let’s Take Action” visiting team of state and regional officials said Wednesday. “The amount of affection, the place that you revere … really comes through strong,” said Martin Hahn, housing…
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is bringing its “Let’s Take Action” program to Rockingham that will help townspeople set the direction for what townspeople hope would be a “vibrant, prosperous and dynamic future.”
As seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/press_release/lets-take-action-rockingham-community-forums Community Process to Set Direction for the future of Rockingham On December 4th, all members of the Rockingham community are invited to kick off Let’s Take Action: A community process to engage all residents of Rockingham, Bellows Falls, and Saxtons River in setting direction for a vibrant, prosperous, and dynamic…