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…
Over the next 18 months, VCRD’s Digital Economy Project will be working to help Vermont communities, businesses and nonprofits become more resilient to natural and manmade disasters. The project will also explore ways to systematically use technology to reshape volunteer management and disaster recovery efforts, and to transform the relationship between citizens and government. Our…
We’ve had a busy few weeks at the Vermont Digital Economy Project! Not only were Sharon, Rob and I getting to know each other and beginning the great work we will be doing for the next 18 months, but on top of starting out, our first round of application were due on March 15. We…
I am excited to join the Vermont Council on Rural Development as the Director of the Vermont Digital Economy Project. The Vermont Digital Economy Project is funded by a disaster recovery grant from the Economic Development Administration and from the donations and expertise of its partners: IBM, the Snelling Center for Government, the Vermont Department…
The Working Lands Enterprise Board received a total of 387 applications for the three investment areas, for a total requested amount of $11,569,397. Some examples of requests include processing equipment, facility upgrades and expansions, marketing assistance, product development, technical assistance and start-ups. The maps below show the breakdown by investment category, as well as type…
Members of the Working Lands Coalition launched their “5-by-3” campaign on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at the Vermont State House. The day included an early morning presentation to the Rural Economic Development Working Group (REDWG), testimony in front of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and a press conference in the Cedar Creek Room. The…
Congratulations to Lars Hasselblad Torres, the winner of the 2012 Beginner Friendly Website Design contest. Our panel of judges selected Lars’ entry because they felt it best exemplified innovation and creativity in design. It began with a strong, easily navigable foundation and then experimented with new ideas for beginner friendly design elements. Judges felt that…
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 students who report a wide range of gains including increased engagement in learning, technological proficiency, and dramatic improvements in the understanding of internet safety issues. The…
Read the 2011 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2011, and what we’re looking forward to in 2012.
MONTPELIER, VT – Vermont Rural Jobs Bill Draws a Crowd: A legislative panel holding a public hearing on the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Investment bill found a statehouse room packed to capacity Wednesday evening, where more than 100 people turned out – most in support of the bill. Close to 40 testified, with all but…