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.
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…
Task Force Co-Chairs: Diana Batzel and Nick Siefert Task Force Description: This task force will work with partners to assist home owners, renters, businesses and community institutions in reducing energy use, using renewable energy, and fuel switching. Task Force Update: Energy Improvements At Twinfield School: Twinfield School is a treasured community institution and has already…
by Joseph Gresser as seen in The Chronicle: https://bartonchronicle.com/ GREENSBORO — Community leaders who attended the annual meeting of the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA), held at the Highland Center for the Arts in Greensboro on September 26, heard Paul Costello of the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) explain his organization’s work. The council…
Task Force Co-Chairs: Richard Baker (Marshfield) and Jamie Spector (Plainfield) Task Force description: Downtown Marshfield and downtown Plainfield are key hubs of economic, social, and cultural activity. The health and vitality of both communities depends in part on the vibrancy of these two places. Route 2 also plays a critical role in defining both communities,…
As seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/opinion/editorials/two-vermonts/article_131453ae-20ea-576a-adc8-facc6ce56370.html Vermont seems to have a pretty good story to tell right now. But indications are that there really are “Two Vermonts.” According to the new Rural Life Survey commissioned by Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS, generally Vermonters enjoy life in their rural communities, and most say they’re…
By Peter Hirschfeld as seen on VPR: https://www.vpr.org/post/vpr-vermont-pbs-rural-life-survey-spotlights-vermonters-optimism-also-challenges#stream/0 Listen here: https://cpa.ds.npr.org/vpr/audio/2019/10/vpr-news-poll-overview-20191021.mp3 A survey of 801 Vermonters, conducted between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9, is part of a project by VPR and Vermont PBS called “This Land: The Changing Story of Rural Vermont.” The poll results suggest that story is complicated. Vermonters generally enjoy life in…