Community Programs

VCRD's Community Visit Program and Creative Communities Program are our signature community programs.

Community Visit Program

Our Community Visit program is 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. The Community Visit program, initiated in 1996, is provided at no cost to communities and gets citizens engaged in working for their communities. We have conducted over 20 Community Visits, from the northern border in Troy and Jay, south to Pownal. Read more...

Creative Communities Program

VCRD's Creative Communities Program was a pilot project from 2006-2007, in which 12 communities participated. The program was modeled on the revitalization of Vermont towns like Brandon, Bellows Falls and Vergennes where local leaders built partnerships between artists, cultural organizations, town government, and key businesses to build activities, redevelop properties, and establish reputations as towns that encourage innovative business development. Today, these towns are building their creative workforces, attracting businesses, and developing jobs. Tax revenues are up. They have a public image - a brand - as a town on the move with rising energy and spirit. Read more...