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.
Vermonters across the state know that local action makes our communities vibrant. But local action often needs support from regional, state and even federal levels to achieve goals for prosperity. To respond to this need in Vermont, the Vermont Council on Rural Development provides local leaders with the resources they need to build capacity for…
During the Community Visit process in Cabot, community members identified 3 priority areas for future action: Develop a Cabot Agricultural Network Develop a Community Arts Center Improve Community Communications Read the Report and Action Plan. To learn more about Cabot, read the 2012 Cabot Community Profile.
During the Community Visit process in Bennington, community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Advance a Bennington Community Center and Improve the Recreation Center Develop a Bennington Vision Statement and Advance Community Communications and Positive Town Image Collaborate to Address Poverty and Build a Poverty Working Group Make Downtown Bennington a Destination, and…
During the Community Visit process in Morristown, community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Develop a Morrisville Food Coop and Organize the Foods Industry Organize a Business Incubator Redevelop Empty Buildings Downtown Improve Trails and Walkways and Physically Unify the Town by Building a Pedestrian Bridge Read the Full Report and Action Plan…
Communities participating in the e-Vermont project all had an opportunity to design new projects that used online tools to meet local goals. Designing these local projects began with conversations that asked three basic questions: What is the biggest opportunity or challenge before our community that we (the people in the room) want to work on…
During the Community Visit process in Fairfield, community members identified three priority areas for future action: Advance Agricultural Development in Fairfield Advance Community Communications and Coordinate Fairfield Volunteerism Implement a School Enrichment Program Read the Report and Action Plan To learn more about Fairfield, read the 2011 Fairfield Community Profile.
Through the Community Visit process, Marlboro began planning for a Marlboro Community Center Building to serve as a connecting point for multiple groups in the community. They are also working to improve walkability and to expand bike and walking paths. Read the Report and Action Plan Marlboro resident, Kelly Salasin, captured the flavor (and fun)…
During the Community Visit process in Shoreham, community members began work to attract village economic development and to build a business incubator. Other initiatives include improving civic participation and exploring in-town energy opportunities. Read the Report and Action Plan To learn more about Shoreham, read the 2010 Shoreham Community Profile.
This compendium of findings highlights priority topic areas that have emerged through VCRD’s body of work, and considers challenges identified by communities, some of the accomplishments of VCRD at the community and policy level, and unmet community development needs in Vermont. Read the “Rural Development in Vermont: Community & Policy Findings” Report.
Thanks to the Community Visit process, Killington built a system for positive Town/Mountain communications and problem-solving, and set a 4‐season economic development planning process with substantial funding from a 1% municipal rooms, meals, and sales tax. Read the Report and Action Plan