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Reports
Through its programs, summits, and consultation and facilitation work, the Vermont Council on Rural Development produces a number of reports on its work. Below, you can find a list of VCRD's published reports. Please use the filter options on the left to find reports pertaining to a certain topic or town.
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2017 Catalysts of the Climate Economy Summit - Summary and Next Steps Over 500 entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders attended the cc:econ Catalysts of the Climate Economy Summit - a 3-day national innovation summit in Burlington, Vermont to gear up for the next stage of economic development and prosperity in a... more |
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Burke Community Visit Report - 2017 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Burke. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 3 priority areas for future action: Revitalize Village Infrastructure; Expand Educational Facilities; and Improve Village... more |
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Empower Pownal Report - 2017 Pownal was the first community to participate in VCRD's Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP), named Empower Pownal. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate... more |
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Lyndon Community Visit Report - 2017 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Lyndon. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Support business growth and economic development; Establish a unified recreation program... more |
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VCRD 2017 Work Plan VCRD serves as a convener, catalyst, and leader for Vermont to build and advance policies to support the working landscape, economic innovation, and strong communities! Here's our work plan for 2017. Your support makes our work possible. Click here... more |
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Brighton Community Visit Report - 2017 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Brighton. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Advance a Brighton Recreation Program; Revitalize and Beautify the Downtown; Make... more |
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Community Profiles UVM's Center for Rural Studies prepares Community Profiles for us to share with our Visiting Resourse Team members in advance of our Community Visit processes. These profiles, compiled from US Census Data and other data sources, include demographic... more |
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Vernon Community Visit Report - 2016 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Vernon. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 3 priority areas and built task forces to take action to: Develop the Riverfront and Improve Trails and Outdoor Recreation;... more |
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2016 Community Quotes and Policy Work VCRD serves as a convener, catalyst, and leader for Vermont to build and advance policies to support the working landscape, economic innovation, and strong communities! This snapshot shares quotes about our work with communities and our recent... more |
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Hardwick Community Visit Report - 2016 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Hardwick. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Open a Recreational Center and Expand Recreation Opportunities; Expand Jeudevine Library... more |
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2016 Climate Economy Summit Report Over 420 participants came together on February 22, 2016 for VCRD’s 2nd Climate Economy Summit: IDEAS to ACTION. Participants reviewed PROGRESS FOR VERMONT, the report and action plan of the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council and worked to... more |
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Progress for Vermont: Report and Action Plan of the VT Climate Change Economy Council Progress for Vermont is the final report and action plan of the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council (VCCEC) which was founded in February 2015 by the Vermont Council on Rural Development. This broad-based nonpartisan group spent a year... more |
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Craftsbury Community Visit Report - 2015 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Craftsbury. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 3 priority areas for future action: Advance Craftsbury Land Protection; Improve Cell Phone and Broadband Access; and Build... more |
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VCRD In Action - Programs and Initiatives Through 2015 In addition to work in communities through Community Visits, Creative Communities, the Digital Economy Project, e-Vermont, and Broadband Facilitation (shown on map) VCRD also brings people together to address issues of fundamental importance to... more |
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From Forum Participants: Ideas to Advance Vermont’s Climate Economy In 2015, we held 3 Climate Economy Forums with Vermonters across the state to gather their best ideas for ways to advance Vermont’s climate economy. Over 150 participants joined us in Rutland (August 26), Brattleboro (October 6), and Burlington (... more |
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Final Report of the NEK Collaborative "Ideas for the Future of the NEK" Forum Series The “Ideas for the Future of the NEK” forum series was produced by the Vermont Council on Rural Development for the NEK Collaborative to gather ideas and set directions for work to advance the prosperity and vitality of NEK communities. This Final... more |
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St. Johnsbury Community Visit Report - 2015 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in St. Johnsbury. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 5 priority areas for future action: Improve Community Communications and Promote a Positive Town Image; Develop a St.... more |
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Swanton Community Visit Report - 2015 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Swanton. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 5 priority areas for future action: Expand Outdoor Recreation Opportunities, River Access, Bike-ability and Bike Tourism;... more |
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Summit on Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change - 2015 The Summit on Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change brought together over 400 innovative business, non‐profit, and community leaders, elected officials, public policy advocates, students, and interested residents to begin to... more |
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VCRD Annual Reports Here is a link to VCRD's 2016 annual report as well as those from the past few years: 2016 Annual Report 2015 Annual Report 2014 Annual Report 2013 Annual Report 2011 Annual Report 2010 Annual Report 2009 Annual Report 2008 Annual Report... more |
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Cambridge Community Visit Report - 2014 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Cambridge. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Plan and Develop a Senior Living Center and Expand Senior Services; Advance a Cambridge... more |
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Vermont Digital Economy Project: Online Report The Vermont Digital Economy Project was created by the Vermont Council on Rural Development to address vulnerabilities of Vermont business and communities that are not fully utilizing online tools. The project offered free support that sped-up flood... more |
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Vermont's Digital Stories - Final Report of VCRD's Vermont Digital Economy Project VCRD launched the Vermont Digital Economy Project to offer free support to speed flood recovery, spur economic development and job growth, and improve community resilience to disasters. The project worked directly with Vermont towns affected by 2011... more |
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Vergennes Community Visit Report - 2014 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Vergennes. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 3 priority areas for future action: Improve Transportation & Parking; Advance the Vergennes Economy & Expand the... more |
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Guilford Community Visit Report - 2013 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Guilford. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 3 priority areas for future action: Develop a Small Business Incubation Space in Guilford; Redevelop the Grange Building; and... more |
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Vermont’s Forest Economy: Advancing Creativity and Entrepreneurship in Value-Added Forest Products Report of the 35th Grafton Conference. Produced by the Windham Foundation and facilitated by VCRD. On August 14 and 15, 2013, a few dozen leaders in the forest products sector of Vermont gathered at the Grafton Inn for a Windham Foundation... more |
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Final Report: NEK Today and Tomorrow: a Northeast Kingdom Summit Conference on Managing Change for the Best Future of the NEK - 2013 The NEK Today and Tomorrow Summit was designed by the Northeast Vermont Development Association and Vermont Council on Rural Development to build action to advance the health and prosperity of NEK communities while maintaining their character and... more |
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Manchester Community Visit Report - 2013 We completed our 3-month Community Visit process in Manchester. Read the Report and Action Plan. Community members identified 4 priority areas for future action: Develop a Small Business Incubator; Become a Biking Center and Destination; Attract... more |
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Cabot Community Visit Report - 2012 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, and Improve Community Communications. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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e-Vermont Final Report: Putting Broadband to Work for Vermont - 2012 In 2009, the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project, announced their Sustainable Broadband Adoption (SBA) grants program. The e-Vermont partners came together to apply for these funds... more |
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Research data shows improvements in student engagement through 1:1 computing initiative Digital Wish's School Modernization Initiative (through VCRD's e-Vermont Community Broadband Program) put one-computer-per-child programs into 24 e-Vermont schools. Through the program they conducted surveys of the participating teachers and... more |
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Bennington Community Visit Report - 2012 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... more |
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"Success for All Vermont Students” Governor Shumlin’s Workshop on Education ~ Report Available The Governor’s Workshop on Education, held June 12 and 13 at the Grafton Inn, was designed for the Administration and partners to explore key policy ideas to improve Vermont’s Pre K‐12 education system, to develop a comprehensive and coordinated... more |
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Vermont's Digital Future Conference Report - 2012 The conversations convened in this conference followed topics that e-Vermont has heard discussed at community, state and national levels: Establishing a New Foundation for Business in the Digital Age Building the Local Economy with Online Tools... more |
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e-Vermont Year Two Update - March 2012 In the months since the mid-year annual report was published, e-Vermont continued its ambitious projects. This report outlines its accomplishments. Read the full report here (PDF). |
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e-Vermont Mid-Year Update - December 2011 In the months since the year-one annual report was published, e-Vermont continued its ambitious projects. This report outlines its accomplishments. Read the full report here (PDF). |
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Working Landscape Action Plan: Investing in our Farm and Forest Future - 2012 Investing in our Farm and Forest Future is the final report of the Vermont Working Landscape Partnership Council. It offers five recommendations to help reinvigorate the state’s rural economy: Build a major campaign to celebrate the distinctiveness... more |
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Morristown Community Visit Report - 2011 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;... more |
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e-Vermont Year One Summary - June 2011 This report outlines the accomplishments of the first year of the e-Vermont project. Read the full report here (PDF). |
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Fairfield Community Visit Report - 2011 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; and... more |
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Key Findings of the Summit on the Future of Vermont’s Working Landscape - 2010 Participants at the Summit on the Future of Vermont’s Working Landscape shared their commitment to advancing the enterprise that serve as the foundation for the future vitality of rural lands and rural communities. Five afternoon breakout sessions... more |
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UVM Research Report: Strategies for Promoting Working Landscapes in North America and Europe With the goal of assisting government, environmental, and planning leaders in their attempts to meet the on‐going challenges of promoting a vibrant working landscape in Vermont, this report (written by Cheryl Morse of UVM and contracted by us as an... more |
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Marlboro Community Visit Report - 2010 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... more |
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Shoreham Community Visit Report - 2009 Working 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. |
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Job Creation and Retention Platform - 2009 Vermont Economic Development Partners worked together to identify doable, cost-effective and measured ways to advance economic activity that will create jobs and that can be initiated in the short term. This diverse group identified key... more |
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Values, Vision and Unification in Addison Northwest Supervisory Union - 2009 This report synthesizes the discussion from public forums in the Addison NW Supervisory Union on the Renewal of Public Education for the 21st Century. The inputs were presented to the ANWSU Board, the School Boards of the Supervisory Union, and the... more |
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Final Findings of the Council on the Future of Vermont: Imagining Vermont Imagining Vermont: Values and Vision for the Future is the final report of the Council on the Future of Vermont. With the publication of this report, the findings of the Council are no longer ours alone. The report is a contribution toward action.... more |
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Summit on the Future of Vermont Report - 2009 The 2009 VCRD Summit on the Future of Vermont marked a watershed point. It served as the official “report out” to Vermonters on the findings of the Council on the Future of Vermont. It turned their findings into a challenge to Vermonters, and... more |
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St. Michael's Research Report: "Vermont in Transition" - 2008 The Council on the Future of Vermont and St. Michael's Center for Social Science Research are proud to release Vermont in Transition: A Summary of Social, Economic and Environmental Trends. This book covers the major changes in fourteen public... more |
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Rural Development in Vermont: Community and Policy Findings - 2009 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... more |
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“Advancing Creativity and Innovation in Rural America” ~ a national conference hosted by VCRD - 2008 In September 2008, VCRD hosted the annual conference of the National Rural Development Partnership / Partners in Rural America (PRA). Participants from 13 states joined Vermont rural leaders in Montpelier for 4 days of dynamic sessions around “... more |
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Creative Communities Reports - 2008 A final report for the Creative Communities Program was presented back to each of the 12 participating communities. These summarized the public meetings and brainstorming sessions, captured the direction each community pursued, and listed specific... more |
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Killington Community Visit Report - 2008 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... more |
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Derby Community Visit Report - 2007 Thanks to the Community Visit process, Derby began evaluating steps toward a town/village merger and solving water sewer infrastructure issues. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Advancing Vermont's Creative Economy Conference - 2007 VCRD chose the subject of the 2007 Conference based on the growing momentum in Vermont (and globally) to identify our unique local assets and use them as essential building blocks to strengthen our rural economies. VCRD’s 2004 report Advancing the... more |
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Moving Vermont Agriculture Forward - 2007 At the beginning of 2008, the VT Agency of Agriculture and John Merck Fund asked VCRD to manage a strategic planning process designed to advance farm businesses and agricultural enterprises in the state. “Moving Vermont Agriculture Forward,” began... more |
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Strengthening Vermont's Energy Economy - 2007 The Vermont Rural Energy Council (VREC) was developed by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) to provide a non-partisan analysis of opportunities in rural electric generation, fuel development and energy efficiency in Vermont. Based on... more |
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Richford Community Visit Report - 2007 We ran a second Community Visit process in Richford in 2007. Community members formed task forces on Job Creation and Retention, Law Enforcement, and Image and Communication. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Manchester Creative Community Report - 2007 The Manchester Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Create the Infrastructure for State-of-the-Art Communications... more |
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Middlebury Creative Community Report - 2007 The Middlebury Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Establish a Business Incubator; Establish Middlebury as a Pioneer... more |
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Richmond Creative Community Report - 2007 The Richmond Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Develop and Market a Richmond Trails System; Form an Alliance for... more |
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Plainfield Creative Community Report - 2006 The Plainfield Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Establish Plainfield as a Learning Community; Form a Local... more |
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Randolph Creative Community Report - 2007 The Randolph Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Create Stronger Collaborations Around the Creative Economy with an... more |
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Bellows Falls Creative Community Report - 2007 The Bellows Falls Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Provide Year-round Access to Local Foods; Revitalize “The... more |
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St. Johnsbury Creative Community Report - 2006-07 The Johnsbury Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Develop an Eastern Avenue Park (Including Farmers’ Market Site);... more |
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Hinesburg Community Visit Report - 2007 After the Community Visit process, the town voted for funds to contract for services to advance the initiatives recorded in the final report. It also improved energy efficiency, stopped bus idling, created a lightbulb campaign, and advanced the... more |
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LOCAL POWER: Energy & Economic Development in Rural Vermont - 2006 VCRD chose the subject of the 2006 Summit process based on deep and widespread concerns in Vermont today about global climate change, our dependence on oil, “peak oil,” and perceptions of the growing challenge of national energy policies.... more |
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Pownal Community Visit Report - 2006 Through the Community Visit Process, Pownal established a Housing Task Force that built a mobile home tenants association andplanned for an affordable housing project. It also developed community gardens and activities, and built a tourism map and a... more |
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Islands Creative Community Report - 2006 The Islands Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Develop Trails to Tour Local Farms, Arts, and Other Islands... more |
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Hardwick Creative Community Report - 2006 The Hardwick Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Create a Business Incubator and Arts Space; Develop the Future of... more |
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Windsor Creative Community Report - 2006 The Windsor Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions, and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Begin a Public Relations Campaign; Create an Arts Incubator; and... more |
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Rutland Creative Community Report - 2006 The Rutland Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions, and lists resources for the following priority projects chosen through the process: Advance Rutland as a Recreation Center; Build a Central Open Air... more |
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St. Albans Creative Community Report - 2006 The St. Albans Creative Community Report summarizes the public meetings and brainstorming sessions, and lists specific resources for the following priority projects chosen through the 2006 process: Bring Arts and Community Projects to Taylor Park;... more |
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Woodstock Community Visit Report - 2006 Through the Community Visit process, Woodstock set community priorities for town/village merger, built an east end development corporation, expanded conservation, expanded walking trails, and developed a town trails map, and worked on building a... more |
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Strategies for Community Creative Economy Projects - Leaders' Summit, 2006 On Friday, November 17th, 2006, the Creative Communities Program coordinated with Bellows Falls’ creative economy organizers Richard Ewald and Robert McBride to host a conference addressing “Strategies for Community Creative Economy Projects”. This... more |
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Vermont By Design - 2006 Based on the inputs and on the knowledge and experience of Council members, the Vermont Rural Energy Council crafted a set of recommendations for actions that would advance rural energy generation, fuel development and efficiency in Vermont. These... more |
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Chelsea Community Visit Report - 2005 Through the Community Visit process, Chelsea gained an ACCD Planning Grant to staff Community Visit Task Forces, building a community facilities and an infrastructure plan. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Bristol Community Visit Report - 2004 Through the Community Visit Process, Bristol inventoried potential space for a small industrial park, set key attributes of businesses to attract, worked on redeveloping Bartlett Falls area, and improved the storm water system. Read the Report and... more |
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The Structure of Planning – 2004 On August 11, 2004, we held a Summit on Planning designed to evaluate the challenges before the planning system in Vermont and to propose potential solutions. This Summit report documents the analysis and recommendations of 180 attendees... more |
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Johnson Community Visit Report - 2004 Through the Community Visit process, Johnson leveraged significant federal funds to replace three bridges, build a water system, and implement a redesign of its downtown. It also built a community calendar, and instituted a Winter Carnival and a... more |
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Enosburg Community Visit Report - 2003 Through the Community Visit process, Enosburg instituted a community‐wide literacy campaign and mentorship program, set up a Restorative Justice Board, created a new recreation park, built a town web page, and unified the town/village public works,... more |
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Advancing Vermont's Creative Economy - 2004 The creative economy is critical to the future competitiveness of Vermont in the global marketplace. Vermont's heritage, arts and culture are integral strengths. They are an economic sector in Vermont today; they also provide a foundation to the... more |
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Vermont Agriculture Viability Council Final Report - 2003 In November 2001, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) established the Vermont Agriculture Viability Council (VAVC). VCRD’s goal was to develop a “strategic plan” that would further the continuing evolution of Vermont’s vital dairy... more |
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Poultney Community Visit Report - 2002 Through the Community Visit process, Poultney built new youth activities and mentorships, expanded collaborations with Green Mountain College, designed new town banners and a town marketing strategy, beautified Main Street and filled storefronts,... more |
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Vermont Forest Products Council Blueprint for Action - 2002 This Blueprint for Action is the result of two years of study by the Vermont Forest Products Council (VFPC) of the challenges to the value-added wood products industry. It is designed to serve as an action plan to promtoe value-added wood... more |
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Rural Economic Development – 2002 The 2002 Governor’s Summit on Rural Economic Development held at Basin Harbor on June 11th and 12th was particularly timely. With the difficulties facing the wood products sector, the dialogue about long-term agricultural viability, concerns about... more |
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Troy, Westfield, and Jay Community Visit Report - 2002 Through the Community Visit process, the towns of Troy, Westfield, and Jay built walking trails and events celebrating downtown Troy, and took steps in the development of “Tranquil Gardens.” Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Northfield Community Visit Report - 2001 Through the Community Visit process, Northfield redeveloped the old town school into a community center and set agreements for water/wastewater development. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Housing Workplan Development - 2001 The 2001 Governor's Rural Summit on Housing focused on developing plans to respond to a single area of critical and immediate policy concern. With leadership of Governor Howard Dean and his policy staff, the Summit invited participants to take a... more |
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Wilmington Community Visit Report - 2001 Through the Community Visit process, Wilmington built a Vision for the town's future economic development, and also built a senior housing project. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Bradford Community Visit Report - 1999-2000 Village revitalization was boosted with library repairs, the development of Boch park, and ongoing affordable housing efforts. Work was also made towards a town/village merger. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Water/Wastewater Infrastructure, Youth Issues, Downtown Development – 1999 On October 14, 1999, over 40 federal, state and other rural leaders met for VCRD's 4th annual rural development summit. The summit focussed on water and sewer issues, youth issues, and downtown develoment. Participants identified 16 action steps... more |
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Middletown Springs Community Visit Report - 1999 Through the Community Visit process, Middletown Springs built sections of the town plan and set up the Middletown Springs Conservation Commission. Read the Report and Action Plan. |
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Rockingham Community Visit Report - 1998 Through this community visit process, Rockingham accomplished its goals of creating more downtown housing, working towards a downtown revitalization, and rebuilding the Bellows Falls image. Today the reborn downtown is a model of creative economy... more |
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Richford Community Visit Report - 1997 Through this community visit process, Richford merged the village & town; built affordable housing, as well as river paths, and a new health center, and created plans to redevelop Sweat‐Cummings downtown industrial plant. The town also charted... more |
