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.

VCRD in the News

Youth Center emerges as top priority

By Susan Smallheer, as seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/youth-center-emerges-as-top-priority,594301 BELLOWS FALLS — Rockingham community members have set their priorities: they want to build a youth center, establish a climate and energy task force, and redevelop Bellows Falls buildings. At a well-attended public meeting Wednesday evening, the second in the “Let’s Take Action” community planning…

VCRD in the News

Vermont town wrestles the cycle of revisiting the same challenges

By Kevin O’Connor as seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2020/01/09/vermont-town-wrestles-the-cycle-of-revisiting-the-same-challenges-%EF%BB%BF/ ROCKINGHAM — More than 100 residents buzzed as they worked to whittle down two-dozen possibilities into three plans for action: Should the town improve internet and cellphone service? Recruit new residents? Expand an alphabet of opportunities, starting with arts, bike lanes and child care? A local who recalled…

VCRD in the News

Following the Entergy money

By Susan Smallheer, as seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/following-the-entergy-money,593574 BRATTLEBORO — Where has that $10 million Entergy Nuclear money for economic development gone? The Windham County Economic Development Program, WCEDP (pronounced “wikidip”), was set up as part of an agreement between Energy Nuclear and the state to soften the impact of the closing of…

VCRD in the News

Zulkoski: Farmers Almanac says, change is coming

By Robert Zulkoski & team, Social Entrepreneur, as seen in Vermont Business Magazine: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/december/22/zulkoski-farmers-almanac-says-change-coming “It’s been a long time coming. But I know a change is gonna come.” – Sam Cooke This article was written as a collaborative effort between Vermont Works Management Company and Vermont Innovation Commons. As we wrap another decade, the feeling of…

VCRD in the News

Vernon nonprofit acquires historic house as potential community center: Governor Hunt House, Entergy’s last connection to town, deeded to Friends of Vernon Center, a group founded to help reimagine the town’s identity after the loss of Vermont Yankee

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…

VCRD in the News

What’s the future for Rockingham? With help from the Council on Rural Development, townspeople share ideas for strengthening their community

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…