Lunenburg & Gilman to Set Priorities for the Future ~ November 19
Lunenburg and Gilman community members are encouraged to participate in the second phase of the Lunenburg-Gilman: One Community Working Together ...
VCRD is hiring!
VCRD has 2 openings with an application deadline of 12/1/2024: Community Programs Associate VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and ...
Lunenburg-Gilman Community Invited to Share Ideas for the Future – Oct. 24
On Thursday October 24, all members of the Lunenburg and Gilman community are invited to come together for a free ...
Village Trust Initiative Selects First Seven Communities
The Preservation Trust of Vermont, Vermont Council on Rural Development, and the Vermont Community Foundation are pleased to announce the ...
Re-Imagine Johnson Community to Set Priorities for the Future
Johnson community members are encouraged to participate in the second part of the Re-Imagine Johnson process to discuss and vote ...
Denise Smith to become the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s next Executive Director
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced that Denise Smith has been selected as its Executive Director, a role ...
VCRD Announces 2024 Vermont Community Leadership Award Recipient
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced the recipient of the Vermont Community Leadership Award at its 2024 Vermont ...
VCRD Welcomes Fifth Cohort of Climate Catalysts
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has welcomed fifteen participants to the 2024 Climate Catalysts Leadership Program from a ...
Bridport Community Invited to Share Ideas for the Future May 7th
On Tuesday, May 7, all members of the Bridport community are invited to come together for a free community dinner ...
Village Trust Initiative
Call to Vermont's Small Towns! Expertise and funding available to support community revitalization Your village is an essential part of ...
VCRD Offers Expanded Services Through MTAP
Often, our small rural towns in need of investment lack the internal capacity to develop local projects and access grant ...
VCRD job opening: Executive Director
Application Deadline has passed. VCRD is seeking an Executive Director to advance and increase the impact of VCRD's mission and ...
Applications Open for VCRD’s Climate Catalysts Leadership Program
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is seeking applicants for the fifth Climate Catalysts Leadership Program. Over the past ...
Franklin Community Members Invited to Share Ideas for the Future – March 19th
On Tuesday, March 19 2024, all members of the Franklin Community are invited to come together for a free community ...
VCRD’s Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund Supports 25 Local Projects
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the awardees for the third competitive round of the Climate Catalyst Innovation ...
Call for Climate Economy Resilient Communities
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the call for Climate Economy Resilient Communities participants for 2024. Community leaders ...
Job opening: VCRD Village Trust Initiative Director
The application deadline has passed, so we are no longer accepting applications. The Village Trust Initiative Director will help launch ...
Applications Open for VCRD’s 2023 Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the third competitive round of the Climate ...
Barre Up: Community Flood Recovery Discussions
Due to flooding again in 2024, Barre Up! is actively organizing volunteers and folks in need. Find the current status ...
Johnson Commentary: Community Visits
The mission of the Vermont Council on Rural Development is to “help Vermont citizens build prosperous and resilient communities through ...
2022 Annual Report
Read VCRD's 2022 Annual Report for an overview of our work in Community, Policy, Climate, and Leadership. Our work in ...
Koloski Commentary: Helping Communities
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is committed to supporting locally defined progress in rural communities throughout Vermont. This month ...
VCRD Announces 2023 Vermont Community Leadership Award Recipient
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) today announced the recipients of the Vermont Community Leadership Award, which will be ...
VCRD: Leadership Summit
For the fourth time, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is gearing up for our statewide Vermont Community Leadership ...
VCRD job opening: Community Engagement and Policy Associate
VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Engagement and Policy Associate to support VCRD community leadership and engagement ...
Lowe Commentary: Leadership Summit
For the fourth time, the Vermont Council on Rural Development is gearing up for our statewide Vermont Community Leadership Summit ...
Shelburne Community Members Invited to Share Ideas for the Future July 27
On Thursday, July 27, all members of the Shelburne Community are invited to come together for a free community dinner ...
Statewide Community Leadership Summit Serves as Platform for Vermont Volunteers & Leaders
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is inviting all Vermonters thinking about their community and the future of our ...
Johnson: the VCRD community visit process
The mission of the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is to “help Vermont citizens build prosperous and resilient communities ...
Sharon Connects Task Forces
The "Sharon Connects" process brings community members together to actively participate in examining issues, decide top priorities and develop action ...
Rupe: Getting to know Vermonters better
Here at the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), we’re committed to listening to community members from around the state ...
Northfield Community Plans for Action May 16
All members of the Northfield community are encouraged to attend the final phase of the Northfield: Our Common Future Community ...
Youth Opportunity Regional Forums Takes Place in Northwest Region
Residents of the Northwest Region of Vermont are encouraged to attend the upcoming Youth Opportunity Regional Forum on May 23 ...
VCRD Invites Vermonters to Inaugural Community Social on Lake Bomoseen
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is inviting community leaders, volunteers, and partners committed to Vermont to join the ...
Northfield Community Members Set Priority Tasks Forces & Seek Volunteers
Members of the Northfield community came together Tuesday, April 18 for the second step of the Northfield: Our Common Future ...
Youth Opportunity Regional Forums Kicks Off in Upper Valley
Residents of the Upper Valley Region of Vermont are encouraged to attend the first Youth Opportunity Regional Forum April 20 ...
Koloski: youth opportunity
The strength of our democracy, the vitality of our economy, and the emotional and physical wellbeing of our population start ...
Northfield Community to Set Priorities for the Future
Northfield community members are encouraged to participate in the second phase of Northfield: Our Common Future Community Forums to set ...
Future of Vermont Action Team Launches Youth Opportunity Initiative Statewide Engagement Process
The Future of Vermont Action Team is launching a statewide Youth Opportunity Initiative, facilitated by the Vermont Council on Rural ...
Enosburg Makes the Map with EV Chargers
The Village of Enosburg Falls wanted to go green and show care for their local environment, and after learning about ...
Lowe Commentary: VCRD mission
Building a flourishing democracy requires many things of the citizens and residents of the United States. One of the most ...
One Year Later and Milton has Reasons to Celebrate
Just one year later and Milton community members are ready to celebrate the work behind them and plan further action ...
10 Reasons to Celebrate 10 Years of Vermont’s Working Lands
A few weeks ago, the Working Lands Coalition hosted a celebration to honor the ten-year anniversary of the Working Lands ...
What Makes WCC Different
Sometimes, it’s not about fixing the problem. It’s about changing the conditions that created the problem in the first place ...
Northfield Community Members Invited to Share Ideas for the Future March 21
On Tuesday, March 21, all members of the Northfield Community are invited to come together for a free community dinner ...
VCRD Welcomes Fourth Class of Climate Catalysts
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is welcoming sixteen participants to the 2023 Climate Catalysts Leadership Program from a ...
VCRD Announces 2023 Resilient Communities
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is pleased to announce the four selected communities for their Climate Economy Resilient ...
Putney Community Plans for Action January 17
All members of the Putney community are encouraged to attend the final phase of their Community Visit process, Our Future ...
Putney Community Members Set Priority Tasks Forces & Seek Volunteers
Members of the Putney community came together Monday, December 12 for the second step of the Our Future Putney community ...
Putney Community Plans to Set Priorities for the Future
Putney community members are encouraged to participate in the second phase of the Our Future Putney Community Forums to set ...
VCRD’s Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund Supports 25 Local Projects
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the awardees for the second competitive round of the Climate Catalyst Innovation ...
5 Reasons to be Thankful for Rural Vermont
It’s around this time of year when people start counting the things they are thankful for: family, friends, and health, ...
VCRD Celebrates Third Class of Climate Catalysts and Gears Up for Fourth
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is celebrating the graduation of sixteen local leaders from the third class of ...
Putney Invites Community to Share Ideas for the Future
On Monday, November 14, all members of the Putney Community are invited to join their neighbors for a free community ...
Let’s Grow Concord Action Report Available Now
Residents of the Concord community are encouraged to review the newly released Let’s Grow Concord Action Report for a recap on the ...
Vermont Working Communities Challenge Releases Initial Report
The Vermont Working Communities Challenge (WCC) has released its Initial Report sharing the new approaches made by the eight Vermont ...
5 Reasons to Volunteer in Your Community
At the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), we are passionate about the importance of local leadership and supporting individuals ...
Concord Community Plans for Action September 14
All members of the Concord community are encouraged to attend the final phase of their Community Visit process, Let’s Grow ...
E-Bikes Bring Summertime Joy for Families and Friends in Middlebury
Identifying a community need and leveraging local partners and resources to address it was an exciting piece of the puzzle ...
Applications Open for VCRD’s Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the second competitive round of the Climate ...
Highgate Builds Momentum for Stronger Future
The Town of Highgate was ready to start taking action for the future. Participating in a facilitated discussion to talk ...
VCRD Announces Vermont Community Leadership Award and Vermont Lifetime Leadership Award Recipients
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) today announced the recipients of the Vermont Community Leadership Award and Vermont Lifetime ...
Advocates for Londonderry community center take first major step
By Ethan Weinstein, as seen in VT Digger: https://vtdigger.org/2022/07/17/advocates-for-londonderry-community-center-take-first-major-step/ Excerpt: Enlisting the help of Norwich University students, the town of ...
Statewide Community Leadership Summit Serves as Platform for Vermont Leaders
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is inviting Vermonters of all backgrounds who are working with a goal of ...
WCC is the Perfect Complement
As an organization dedicated to supporting locally-defined progress of Vermont’s rural communities, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) felt ...
Working Lands Summer 2022 Update
The recently concluded Legislative Session was a busy one, resulting in major investments in housing, broadband, and many other areas ...
2021 Annual Report
Read VCRD's 2021 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2021, and what we're looking forward to ...
Vermont Leaders Share Wisdom
Leaders across Vermont play an instrumental role every day in shaping the future of our State and our communities. Here ...
Royalton, Sharon, Strafford & Tunbridge Make Moves
Whether it is affordable housing, community development, conservation and recreation, or food resilience, the 4-Town Coalition consists of movers and ...
Building Efficient, Resilient Housing
Home heating is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vermont, with the average Vermonter spending nearly $2,000 ...
Studio Hill Farm – Agriculture for the Future
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that roughly 30% of global emissions leading to climate change can be attributed to agricultural activities, ...
Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund: Small Grants for Innovative Local Climate and Energy Projects
New round of applications are now open and available: APPLY HERE The Vermont Council on Rural Development, in collaboration with local ...
2020 Annual Report
Read VCRD's 2020 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2020, and what we're looking forward to ...
VCRD Executive Director Paul Costello leaving post
As seen in Vermont Business Magazine: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2021/june/02/vcrd-executive-director-paul-costello-leaving-post After 21 years at the helm of the Vermont Council on Rural Development ...
Paul Costello to leave VCRD in September
After 21 years, the head of a group that’s helped organize hundreds of communities across the state is stepping down ...
Video: Group releases blueprint ahead of ‘Future of Vermont’ summit
See story on WCAX: https://www.wcax.com/2021/05/20/group-releases-blueprint-ahead-of-future-of-vermont-summit/ BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - The Vermont Council on Rural Development has just completed a blueprint ...
Virtual summit to lay groundwork for Vermont’s future 30 years from now
Next week, hundreds of Vermonters including state leaders, business owners and advocates will gather virtually for a summit on the ...
Vermont Proposition Released Today: Captures Thousands of Vermonters’ Ideas for Long-Range Recovery
As the state finalizes its budget for next year, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) releases its summary of ...
Vermont is Home to a State-of-the-Art LED Producer
Lighting accounts for nearly 5% of global CO2 emissions. With LED lighting achieving savings of 50-70%+ compared to older technologies, ...
For Northeast Kingdom entrepreneurs already dedicated to “going green,” the pandemic has been a challenge — and an opportunity.
Kehler spoke Thursday as part of a virtual forum with NEK business and education leaders on how confronting the climate ...
Emerson Lynn: How we maximize value of billions coming our way
The City of St. Albans can expect its share of the American Rescue Plan stimulus money to be a shade ...
Route 4 and outdoor recreation rise as Mendon priorities
MENDON — Making Route 4 better, and boosting outdoor recreation are the town’s top priorities coming out of two big ...
Ideas for the Future of Vermont
Ideas for the Future of Vermont is a collaboration between the nonpartisan Vermont Council on Rural Development, The Times Argus/Rutland ...
Video: Virtual summit aims to provide blueprint for Vermont’s future
A Vermont nonprofit is looking to create a blueprint for the state’s future priorities. The Vermont Council on Rural Development ...
Actions for Vermont’s future is focus of May 26-27 summit
MONTPELIER, VT – The Summit on the Future of Vermont on May 26-27 will bring Vermonters together virtually to consider “The Vermont Proposition” ...
Wheelock Town Hall Accessibility Project is underway
Wheelock has hired a project team to help the town move toward its long-sought goal of allowing all citizens to ...
Poultney secures competitive planning grant
The town is among three communities to receive a state planning grant that’s only awarded to a few places every ...
Bellows Falls Rural Development visit, one year later
A year ago, Rockingham launched three citizen task forces eager to complete “actionable goals” by tackling areas of need identified ...
Costello: What are your Ideas for the Future of Vermont?
Vermont’s pandemic recovery is a catalytic opportunity for creative renewal. How do we work together to revitalize Vermont? Where do ...
VCRD Announces a New Action Center within the Vermont Community Leadership Network – The Community Response and Recovery Corps
As part of the Vermont Community Leadership Network, the Vermont Council on Rural Development is forming a new “action center” ...
Mendon to go on the move
After being delayed for a year by the pandemic, the town is set to hold a pair of community-wide forums ...
Rockingham Looks to “Incremental Development” for Neighborhood Revitalization: BDCC Supports Rockingham’s Work with Local Development Experts
Restoring downtown buildings was identified as a top priority during last year’s Rockingham community visit, led by the Vermont Council ...
Video ~ The Future of Vermont with Paul Costello
Executive Director of Vermont Council on Rural Development, discusses the work of bringing attention to the fundamental needs that communities ...
Coalition celebrates governor’s proposal to invest in working lands
Governor Phil Scott unveiled his proposal to add $3 million to the base funding for the Vermont’s Working Lands Enterprise ...
Partridge: Notes from Montpelier | The value of the working landscape as key to our future
This was a rich week for the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee as we took testimony regarding some of the ...
Local Community Group Working on Village Revitalization
Strike up a conversation with the locals at one of the general stores in West Burke and you’re bound to ...
Vermont Council on Rural Development presents Roger Allbee with lifetime achievement award
Former Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee’s extensive work on behalf of rural Vermont was recognized on Wednesday by the ...
Rockingham will use VNRC grant toward revitalizing buildings in Bellows Falls
The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) has awarded a Small Grant for Smart Growth to the Town of Rockingham to ...
Manchester Riverwalk receives $2,500 grant to help complete bridge
The Manchester Riverwalk Association has received a $2,500 grant that will help the group build a bridge over the West ...
Covid19 Response and Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic took us all by surprise. When the public health crisis hit in early March 2020, community leaders ...
Working the landscape: Roger Allbee
There aren't many people in Vermont who have accomplished as much and been publicly recognized so little as Roger Allbee ...
Vermont Council on Rural Development launches VT proposition initiative to engage Vermonters in envisioning the future
Over the last couple months, The Vermont Council on Rural Development has been working on an initiative they’re calling the ...
Vermonters asked how to go about rebuilding
An effort is underway to find out what thousands of Vermonters think should be done to set the state up ...
Costello Commentary: The future of Vermont post-COVID
As we come out of the crucible of the pandemic and look to a new year, we need more than ...
Pittsford Village Farm still growing behind the scenes amidst pandemic
Despite the pandemic slowing the world down, the Pittsford Village Farm has been plugging away on its redevelopment over the ...
Lamoille County impresses COVID recovery team
When it comes to navigating the ever-changing course of the pandemic and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations, Lamoille County’s ...
Apply for the Climate Catalysts Program -October 2022
The Vermont Council on Rural Development will open the application process for the Climate Catalysts Leadership Program October 1, 2022. The ...
Community leaders get support, from the ground up: VCRD launches a network and a professional development center for grassroots leaders
The launch of the Vermont Community Leadership Network, an online portal that will serve as a place for leaders of ...
VCRD Launches the Vermont Community Leadership Network and Community Leadership Guide
Nearly 200 Vermonters joined Senator Patrick Leahy and the Vermont Council on Rural Development for an online celebration of local ...
VCRD Announces its Annual Vermont Community Leadership Awards – Ceremony This Thursday
Each year the Vermont Council on Rural Development recognizes leaders who have had a transformative impact on their community with ...
Federal program disburses $4.4 million among 14 Vermont communities
Fourteen Vermont communities will see $4.4 million distributed among them for a range of projects ranging, including the purchase of ...
Fried: Pandemic Threatens NEK Cultural Institutions: Future Dim If Shut-down Continues For A Year, Fried Says
Jody Fried, head of Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, offered that grim assessment during a remote forum Thursday evening that ...
2019 Annual Report
Read VCRD's 2019 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2019, and what we're looking forward to ...
Local Support and Community Action Team Makes First Recommendations for Economic and Social Recovery in Interim Report to Governor Phil Scott
The Local Support and Community Action Team led by Paul Costello, Executive Director of Vermont Council on Rural Development, today ...
Local Coronavirus Response Groups Contemplate Longer-Term Recovery
The local groups that sprang up across Vermont to help neighbors in crisis due to COVID-19 are now turning their ...
Soundcloud Interview: Essential Vermonters
Paul Costello, VCRD Executive Director, and Xusana Davis, State of VT Racial Equity Director, discuss Vermont's COVID-19 recovery phase as ...
Rockingham Rural Development Task Force three-month check in
Last year, the Rockingham Selectboard invited the Vermont Council on Rural Development to come to Bellows Falls and hold community ...
Greensboro Free WiFi Goes Live!
In 2019, VCRD completed its Community Visit process in Greensboro. Improving broadband and cell service was one of the priorities ...
Helping Vermonters Prepare For The Economy’s Reopening
On April 16, 2020, Gov. Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development announced the creation of the Economic ...
Commerce Agency establishes Vermont Economic Mitigation & Recovery Task Force
Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) today announced the establishment of the State of ...
Group forms to coordinate COVID response at local levels
Several organizations have come together to create a community response coordinating team to help the community-based response teams and mutual ...
One Burke Receives Grants to Fund West Burke Revitalization Project
In 2017, VCRD completed its Community Visit process in Burke. The "One Burke" initiative was formed as part of the ...
Next steps, task forces determined at latest Let’s Take Action forum
Rockingham residents gathered at Bellows Falls Middle School last Thursday for the third Let’s Take Action forum with officials from ...
Council on Rural Development gives Rockingham task forces a start
On a suggestion by Development Director Gary Fox, the Rockingham Selectboard invited the Vermont Council on Rural Development to come ...
Let’s Take Action takes next step
Rockingham residents started to map a path Thursday toward their shared goals of reusing old buildings, creating a youth-led youth ...
Allen: A succession plan 20 years in the making
It seems everyone has a story to tell about Paul Bruhn and his work with the Preservation Trust of Vermont ...
Vermod: Affordable Net-Zero Living, Built in Vermont
Vermod is a Wilder-based company that designs and builds affordable net-zero energy ready modular homes to meet the highest standards ...
Community Action Plan advances to next stage
As seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/community-action-plan-advances-to-next-stage,596733 BELLOWS FALLS — The Vermont Council on Rural Development will hold its last ...
Video ~ Paul Costello on Across the Fence
Aired 2/4/20, as seen on WCAX Across the Fence: Fran Stoddard interviews Paul Costello about VCRD's Community Visit program and ...
Nick Richardson: Rural communities are vital to our economic future
In his State of the State, Governor Scott spoke about the demographic crisis that is creating a divide between the ...
Rupe: Poultney pride
For 26 years, I’ve called this glorious little town home — I was born and raised here, stayed in the ...
Council on Rural Development holds follow-up to community forums
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Vermont Council on Rural Development visited the town of Rockingham in a priority-setting meeting at ...
Youth Center emerges as top priority
By Susan Smallheer, as seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/youth-center-emerges-as-top-priority,594301 BELLOWS FALLS — Rockingham community members have set their priorities: ...
How The Alchemist Goes Above And Beyond To Give You Sustainable Beer
The Alchemist co-founder Jen Kimmich is on the VCRD board of directors. ---------------- By Kenny Gould, as seen in Forbes: ...
Vermont town wrestles the cycle of revisiting the same challenges
By Kevin O'Connor as seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2020/01/09/vermont-town-wrestles-the-cycle-of-revisiting-the-same-challenges-%EF%BB%BF/ ROCKINGHAM — More than 100 residents buzzed as they worked to whittle down ...
‘Rockingham in Action’ priorities meeting is Wednesday
The second meeting of Rockingham In Action, the community visit by the Vermont Council on Rural Development will be this ...
Rural Maryland Council Funds more than $6 Million in Grants; Caps off a Year of Achievements to 2020
Enhancing quality of life is a goal that’s at the heart of most policymaking regardless of whether you are working ...
Following the Entergy money
By Susan Smallheer, as seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/following-the-entergy-money,593574 BRATTLEBORO — Where has that $10 million Entergy Nuclear money ...
Zulkoski: Farmers Almanac says, change is coming
By Robert Zulkoski & team, Social Entrepreneur, as seen in Vermont Business Magazine: https://vermontbiz.com/news/2019/december/22/zulkoski-farmers-almanac-says-change-coming “It’s been a long time coming. But ...
Costello: Poultney facing the challenge
The temptation with bad news, like that of the closing of Green Mountain College, is to sit on one’s hands, ...
Vernon nonprofit acquires historic house as potential community center: Governor Hunt House, Entergy’s last connection to town, deeded to Friends of Vernon Center, a group founded to help reimagine the town’s identity after the loss of Vermont Yankee
In 2016, VCRD held its community visit process in Vernon. Revitalizing the town and establishing a village center was one ...
GrowSmart Maine named to fill State Rural Development Council gap
State Rural Development Councils collaborate both with in-state public and private-sector groups and with other states to strengthen rural development. Maine ...
What’s the future for Rockingham? With help from the Council on Rural Development, townspeople share ideas for strengthening their community
By Layla Burke Hastings, as seen in The Commons: http://www.commonsnews.org/site/sitenext/story.php?articleno=31565 BELLOWS FALLS—Echoes of solidarity and a desire for a unified ...
Council on Rural Development holds community forums in Rockingham
BY BILL LOCKWOOD, as seen in The Shopper: https://vermontjournal.com/news/council-on-rural-development-holds-community-forums-in-rockingham/ BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. – On the evening of Dec. 4, a large, ...
Lack of public wastewater systems inhibits rural development
When talk turns to obstacles holding back rural Vermont, the lack of high-speed internet is often cited. The last gubernatorial ...
Rockingham future forum echoes statewide challenges
The community conversation was billed as “Attracting and Retaining Young People.” But the older resident in work jeans and boots ...
Loyalty, pride cited as Rockingham assets
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 ...
Brainstorming about Rockingham’s future
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is bringing its "Let's Take Action" program to Rockingham that will help townspeople set ...
Let’s Take Action: Rockingham community forums
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 ...
The Task Force Working To Reduce and Transform Energy Use and Increase Renewable Energy Generation For Homes, Businesses, Twinfield School, the Towns, and Other Institutions
Task Force Co-Chairs: Diana Batzel and Nick Siefert Task Force Description: This task force will work with partners to assist ...
How rural development helps town to town
by Joseph Gresser as seen in The Chronicle: https://bartonchronicle.com/ GREENSBORO — Community leaders who attended the annual meeting of the ...
The RAMP Task Force Working To Support And Strengthen Both Village Centers and Improve the Route 2 Corridor Travelling Through Both Towns
Task Force Co-Chairs: Richard Baker (Marshfield) and Jamie Spector (Plainfield) Task Force description: Downtown Marshfield and downtown Plainfield are key ...
Two Vermonts
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 ...
VPR & Vermont PBS Rural Life Survey Spotlights Vermonters’ Optimism, But Also Challenges
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 ...
Group forming to promote White Rocks area
In 2018, Wallingford participated in our Community Visit Program. Through the process, a task force group was formed to "Build ...
Select Board supports land sale in 4-1 vote
Several hundred people turned out last year for forums held by the Vermont Council on Rural Development and the list ...
Revitalizing All Marshfield-Plainfield (“RAMP”) – Fall 2019 Update
Over 120 Marshfield and Plainfield residents came together through the Model Communities program to consider the future of their two ...
Remembering Paul Bruhn
The brilliant, irrepressible, irresistible Paul Bruhn, one of Vermont’s most effective leaders and beloved citizens, passed away on Thursday the ...
Revitalizing Guilford’s Grange Hall
When VCRD brought a Community Visit process to Guilford in 2013, it quickly became apparent that there was an abundance ...
Working Lands Update – October 2019
VCRD and our partners in the Working Lands Coalition had a major victory in the past legislative session. Legislators recognized ...
Climate Economy Action Team (CEAT) Update – October 2019
Since 2017, VCRD has convened the Climate Economy Action Team (CEAT), a group of business and non-profit leaders dedicated to ...
The Deeper Dig: Where migrating Vermonters are going — and why
Vermont’s stagnating population has concerned residents and policymakers for years. Census data shows that from 2010 to 2018, 10,000 more ...
Montgomery board eyes police services contract with Franklin sheriff
In 2018, VCRD brought its Community Visit program to Montgomery. Residents prioritized "improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety" as key ...
Leadership Summit Emphasizes Importance Of Collaboration
“A leader doesn’t want to be the best in the world, but the best for the world,” said Paul Costello, ...
Seelig and Maclure receive awards at VCRD’s Community Leadership Summit
At VCRD’s Community Leadership Summit Today, VCRD Awards its Annual Vermont Community Leadership Award and Community Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award ...
Leadership summit to promote skill sharing, idea exchange
Gov. Phil Scott and U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., will address the second Vermont Community Leadership Summit at Vermont Technical ...
Video ~ Hundreds attend 2nd Annual VT Community Leadership Summit
See the video clip here on NBC5 News: https://www.mynbc5.com/article/hundreds-attend-2nd-annual-vermont-community-leadership-summit/28679873 Here's the transcript: RANDOLPH, Vt. — Hundreds of leaders from across ...
“The Second Annual Vermont Community Leadership Summit” to Take Place August 12 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is inviting local leaders from throughout Vermont who are working to improve life ...
Moats: Big new ideas often precede shifts of power
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is a nonprofit that has been instrumental in helping communities articulate community goals and ...
Gov. Scott recognizes funding for working lands
Eighteen Vermont working lands businesses and service providers were recognized today at an event celebrating the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative ...
Working the land … Vermont values its working lands – but who will work them?
By Elodie Reed , Landscapes correspondent, as seen in the Manchester Journal: https://www.manchesterjournal.com/stories/working-the-land,578183 DUMMERSTON — Somewhere along Bunker Road, not ...
Costello Commentary: What is the climate change story we tell our children?
By Paul Costello, and printed in multiple media outlets, including The Bennington Banner: https://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/paul-costello-what-is-the-climate-change-story-we-tell-our-children,577259 I’ve been wrestling with a sentence ...
Working Lands Enterprise Board names FY19 grantees, over $800,000 awarded
As seen in Vermont Business Magazine: https://www.vermontbiz.com/news/2019/june/13/working-lands-enterprise-board-names-fy19-grantees-over-800000-awarded Eighteen Vermont working lands businesses and service providers were recognized Wednesday at an ...
18 forestry businesses, groups get state grants
By the Associated Press, as seen in the Burlington Free Press: http://burlingtonfreepress.vt.newsmemory.com/?publink=17cc51b49 BURLINGTON – Vermont has awarded another round of ...
Four Towns Make Plans For a Vibrant Future: Choose Priorities For Ongoing Projects
By Jo Levasseur, as seen in the Randolph Herald: https://www.ourherald.com/articles/four-towns-make-plans-for-a-vibrant-future/ At the most recent “Our Four- Town Future” gathering, residents ...
Community Events Are Serious Fun And Economic Drivers: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun In Island Pond This Weekend
In 2017, VCRD brought its Community Visit process to Brighton/Island Pond where residents identified a number of action ideas for ...
Woodstock looks ahead with launch of ‘Our Woodstock, Our Future’
As seen in vtdigger: https://vtdigger.org/2019/05/22/woodstock-looks-ahead-launch-woodstock-future/ Woodstock, VT— What do you love about Woodstock? What do you want for its future? ...
Group plans Wallingford Day revival
Eighteen Vermont working lands businesses and service providers were recognized today at an event celebrating the Working Lands Enterprise Initiative ...
The USDA Loaned Millions to Five Vermont Colleges. Two Are Closing.
Paul Costello, executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, said colleges bring multiple benefits to rural areas, and ...
‘Our 4-Town Future’ Prepares for Next Step: Project Seeks to Combine Efforts
The towns of Royalton, Sharon, Strafford and Tunbridge are working together with the Vermont Council of Rural Development (VCRD) to ...
David Snedeker Commentary: Invest In Weatherization
As seen in the Caledonian Record, April 30, 2019: https://www.caledonianrecord.com/opinion/columns/david-snedeker-invest-in-weatherization/article_5124474b-a682-535d-a43f-7be3213af1f4.html One of the smartest investments Vermont can make as a ...
Four Vt. towns set priorities for economic development, housing, conservation
By DANIELA VIDAL ALLEE, as seen in the Valley News: https://www.vnews.com/4-Towns-Meeting-25098296 TUNBRIDGE — A group of residents from four White ...
GMC’s Impending Closure Prompts Poultney Residents To Propose New Uses For Campus
By Nina Keck, as seen and heard on Vermont Public Radio: https://www.vpr.org/post/gmcs-impending-closure-prompts-poultney-residents-propose-new-uses-campus#stream/0 There's still no decision on what will happen ...
GMC announces receipt of proposals
By Kate Barcellos, as seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/gmc-announces-receipt-of-proposals/article_f9e17f25-229a-52e2-9bfc-32a43cec8d75.html POULTNEY — Hundreds of staff members, students, community members and ...
After Stopping NewVistas Development, 4 Upper Valley Towns Discuss Their Future
VCRD is working with the 4-Town region of Royalton, Sharon, Strafford and Tunbridge through our Community Visit process to help ...
Kate McCarthy Commentary: Continuing the state’s working lands legacy
By Kate McCarthy, as seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/12/kate-mccarthy-continuing-states-working-lands-legacy/ We hear it all the time, but it’s true: We have something ...
Poultney grapples with GMC closure
By Julia Purdy, as seen in the Mountain Times: http://mountaintimes.info/poultney-grapples-gmc-closure/ Poultney is at a crossroads with the impending shuttering of ...
Paul Costello Commentary: Addressing climate change while boosting Vermont’s economy
As seen in the vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2019/02/20/paul-costello-addressing-climate-change-boosting-vermonts-economy/ Carbon tax. Cap and Trade. Carbon Markets. Depending on our point of view, these ...
Moats: Though dairy wanes, Vermont agriculture can thrive
By David Moats as seen in the VtDigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/04/moats-though-dairy-wanes-vermont-agriculture-can-thrive/ A crisis atmosphere pervades the topic of farming this year among ...
2018 Annual Report
Read VCRD's 2018 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2018, and what we're looking forward to ...
Towns Plot Path Ahead: “Our 4-Town Future” Kicks Off in SoRo
BY ZOË NEWMARCO as seen in the Randolph Herald: https://www.ourherald.com/articles/towns-plot-path-ahead/ More than 100 people crowded into the gym at the ...
Poultney seeks guidance from municipal developers, legislators
By Kate Barcellos as seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/poultney-seeks-guidance-from-municipal-developers-legislators/article_95de33b7-fea6-5f2f-8714-89de1b7cce55.html POULTNEY — School will be out — and not just ...
Depot Square Remake To Feature 38 Affordable Units
In 2015, VCRD brought its Community Visit process to St. Johnsbury where residents identified a number of action ideas for ...
‘NewVistas’ Towns To Host Vermont Council on Rural Development
BY ZOË NEWMARCO, as seen in the Randolph Herald: https://www.ourherald.com/articles/newvistas-towns-to-host-vermont-council-on-rural-development/ On February 21, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), ...
Ross Sneyd Commentary: Electric vehicles, weatherization can save thousands
As seen in the Stowe Reporter: https://www.stowetoday.com/stowe_reporter/opinion/opinion_columns/electric-vehicles-weatherization-can-save-thousands/article_ca39627e-2574-11e9-8077-27779dc5907d.html?fbclid=IwAR0x5fWtwRlciIRiBnud22vhqhMd5ybWjkR2QOOQGMJuPL6USPhiJiMSVr0 As with most adages, there’s truth to one we hear a lot: Vermont ...
Sterling College Receives Grant and Matching Challenge for Peter Alfond Wellness Center
VCRD held a Craftsbury Community Visit process in 2015. The article below shows how Sterling College built on the opportunities ...
Georgia — and other states — have rural prosperity on their minds. Now how to get it done?
Paul Costello, VCRD Executive Director, was interviewed by this Georgia newspaper about what is working in Vermont as Georgia looks ...
Communities that rallied against NewVistas continue dialogue about growth
By DAVID CORRIVEAU as seen in the Valley News: https://www.vnews.com/Seeking-Common-Ground-After-New-Vistas-Fight-23172366 SOUTH ROYALTON — By day, Rob McShinsky oversees information-technology systems ...
How a Vermont social network became a model for online communities
VCRD helped bring Front Porch Forum to every town in Vermont through our eVermont Community Broadband and Vermont Digital Economy ...
Rural Towns Fixing Up Historic Buildings To Strengthen Community Ties
By HOWARD WEISS-TISMAN as seen on Vermont Public Radio: http://digital.vpr.net/post/rural-towns-fixing-historic-buildings-strengthen-community-ties#stream/0 Much has been written about what Vermont’s small rural towns need ...
Grange Hall to reclaim role in Guilford activities
By Bob Audette, as seen in the Brattleboro Reformer: https://www.reformer.com/stories/grange-hall-to-reclaim-role-in-guilford-activities,559930 GUILFORD — In 2013, the Vermont Council on Rural Development ...
Leahy hails passage of five-year Farm Bill, Vermont ‘wins’
Thanks to Senator Leahy for his work to include the continuation of authoriation, by statute, for State Rural Development Councils ...
The Lamberts ‘Building on good things’
VCRD awarded Hank and Molly Lambert its "Community Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award" in September 2018. Together, they are a force ...
Can Four Upper Valley Towns Plan a Future Together?
In early 2019, VCRD is bringing its Community Visit process to the 4 town region of Tunbridge, Strafford, Royalton and ...
Space on Main Founder Monique Priestley Cultivates Engagement in Bradford
Monique Priestley, founder of the Space on Main in Bradford, is a VCRD board member. Read on to see what ...
Vermont Climate Economy Action Team announces 2019 action priorities
The Vermont Climate Economy Action Team (CEAT) today announced their 2019 agenda for advancing economic progress and making Vermont more ...
Montgomery builds its ‘bones’: Initiative hones in on infrastructure needs
By Mike Frett, as seen in the St. Albans Messenger: https://www.samessenger.com/montgomery-builds-its-bones-initiative-hones-in-on-infrastructure-needs/ MONTGOMERY – A community initiative dubbed Montgomery Thrives entered ...
Do North Coworking Opens In Bag Balm Building
In 2017, VCRD brought our Community Visit process to Lyndon where residents identified a number of opportunities for future progress ...
Montgomery Thrives: Infrastructure, broadband emerge as priorities
As seen in the St. Albans Messenger: https://www.samessenger.com/montgomery-thrives-infrastructure-broadband-emerge-as-priorities/?fbclid=IwAR35itY7UPZ8tEC60K5PHtzn92uWFZufwO81YuuI4pE4kf5FenPLv2vdxgs MONTGOMERY – Working with the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s (VCRD) Community Visit ...
Grant Received For Burke Infrastructure Project
By Amy Ash Nixon, as seen in the Caledonian Record: https://www.caledonianrecord.com/news/local/grant-received-for-burke-infrastructure-project/article_43785238-68bc-5260-a62b-b8b50b4ebfb6.html BURKE — Hoped-for infrastructure improvements to East and West ...
Video ~ Making It Happen! Vermont Community Leadership Summit, Oct 1, 2018
Video captured by CCTV at some sessions of the "Making It Happen! Vermont Community Leadership Summit" held October 1, 2018 ...
Steve Costello Commentary: Rutland’s growing sense of pride
By Steve Costello, as seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/opinion/commentary/rutland-s-growing-sense-of-pride/article_891a9956-b057-5838-bdac-50108c82cc14.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share Your Sept. 27 editorial and this week’s Vermont Council on ...
Panel: Lead by example, lead together
By Kate Barcellos, as seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/panel-lead-by-example-lead-together/article_9c38041d-9110-5718-a74e-27da4b5e7335.html CASTLETON — The Casella Theater at Castleton University was standing ...
Wallingford woman wants to bring Odd Fellows building back to life
By Keith Whitcomb Jr. as seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/local/wallingford-woman-wants-to-bring-odd-fellows-building-back-to/article_4d2fd0e4-c939-575b-ac51-0106c6a1963d.html WALLINGFORD — A local woman wants to return the ...
Vermont Natural Resources Council Presents Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership to Paul Costello of Vermont Council on Rural Development
The Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) is pleased to present this year’s Arthur Gibb Award for Individual Leadership to Paul ...
Marlboro gets space to create community: Library and long-awaited community center set to open in meeting house
In 2010, VCRD brought its Community Visit process to Marlboro where residents identified a number of action ideas for future ...
Dan Smith: A new generation of local leadership
By Dan Smith, VCRD board member and president and CEO of The Vermont Community Foundation, as seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2018/09/04/dan-smith-new-generation-local-leadership/ ...
“Making It Happen: Local Leadership for Vermont Communities” Summit to Take Place October 1 at Castleton University
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has launched registration for a statewide one-day summit focused on supporting emerging and ...
Paul Costello Op-Ed: 2018 Legislative Success
In a time when the political climate in Washington lends itself to chaos and uncertainty that undermines environmental and economic ...
Randolph Region Re-Energized (R3) next meeting June 11 – VTC President Patricia Moulton to serve as initiative chairperson
RANDOLPH - The Randolph Region Re-Energized (R3) initiative will convene on June 11 as four task forces focused on community priorities meet ...
Pownal farms put out the welcome mat
By Cherise Madigan, as seen in the Bennington Banner: http://www.benningtonbanner.com/stories/pownal-farms-put-out-the-welcome-mat,539776? POWNAL — Are you ready to discover Pownal? With a ...
Randolph Picks Its Missions: ‘Re-Energized’ Project Inches Toward Goals
By Tim Calabro, as seen in the Randolph Herald: https://www.ourherald.com/articles/randolph-picks-its-missions/ Though the volume of people filling the RUHS cafeteria Monday ...
VCRD 2017 Annual Report
Read the 2017 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2017, and what we’re looking forward to ...
Conquering Climate Change One Business at a Time
By Terri Hallenbeck, as seen in Seven Days: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/conquering-climate-change-one-business-at-a-time/Content?oid=8281954 When Paul Costello and his team of organizers started putting together ...
Green business summit aims to spur national investment
By Kevin O'Connor as seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2017/08/20/green-business-summit-aims-spur-national-investment/ Paul Costello doesn’t want to talk about the polarizing problem of climate ...
Robert Miller Commentary: Climate economy is an important opportunity
As seen in vtdigger.org: https://vtdigger.org/2017/08/16/robert-miller-climate-economy-important-opportunity/ Editor’s note: This commentary is by Robert Miller, of Shelburne, who is CEO of VSECU ...
Costello Commentary: Coming Together to Answer Climate Change
As seen in the Times-Argus: https://www.timesargus.com/articles/answering-the-climate-challenge/ This week saw yet another disturbing climate change report in the news—this one authored ...
Catalysts of the Climate Economy summit set for Vermont
As seen in the Vermont Business Magazine Vermont will host the Catalysts of the Climate Economy (cc:econ), a three-day national ...
Hawken to keynote national climate innovation summit
Montpelier, VT – Environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist and author Paul Hawken will be the keynote speaker at the Catalysts of the ...
Solar = Business and Job Opportunities for Vermont
Danielle Laberge has always dreamed of staying and working in Vermont, but after completing her studies in botany and ecology ...
A New Framework for Design and Construction
New Frameworks is a natural design and construction firm with a central mission to help lead the transformation of our ...
VCRD 2016 Annual Report
Read the 2016 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2016, and what we’re looking forward to ...
Clean Energy Jobs Attract Young Professionals to Vermont
Same Sun employee Jonathon Klos came to Vermont from Michigan to attend Green Mountain College. Instead of returning to Michigan, ...
Wheeled Hand Tools: Carbon Free Tools to Lever, Lift, and Move
Wheeled Hand Tool Systems, Inc. was founded in 1978 to create solutions that reduce human impact on the environment. Recognizing ...
Action Alert: ANR is seeking input on best use of the $18M VW settlement comes coming to Vermont
You may have heard in the news last year that Volkwagen (VW) violated the Clean Air Act with sales of ...
It’s More Than a Job
Danielle Bombardier, has found an opportunity for employment and growth in the expansion of renewable energy projects in Vermont. Originally ...
VCRD 2017 Work Plan
VCRD serves as a convener, catalyst, and leader for Vermont to build and advance policies to support the working landscape, ...
Vermont Electrician is Part of the Climate Economy Solution
Nearly 18,000 Vermonters work in fields related to energy efficiency and renewable energy, which is over 4% of Vermont’s workforce ...
The Right House
The Right House is a Stowe Vermont-based architectural firm that designs modern low carbon homes that stay true to the ...
Innovating and Manufacturing New Solar Technologies – In Vermont!
All Earth Renewables has developed an award-winning solar tracking system right here in the Green Mountains which produces up to ...
Helping Neighbors Reduce Carbon Footprint and Invest in Resilient Community
(FPF) is a free community-building platform that now serves every town in Vermont.* This service helps residents communicate with their ...
Replacing Mobile Homes in Vermont: Saving Fuel, Saving Money
Many mobile home residents in Vermont are faced with a significant challenge; while their incomes are often low, their energy ...
Local Publisher with a Global Mission
Green Writers Press (GWP) is a Vermont-based global publisher with a mission to help foster a sustainable environment through the ...
Empowering Energy Efficiency, One Loan at a Time
VSECU is a not for profit, cooperative credit union that is committed to finding opportunities within both its operations and ...
A Different Kind of Fuel Dealer
is a 15-year-old full service fuel dealer serving 2,500 members and customers in northwestern and central Vermont. The Co-op delivers ...
Food waste used for energy at Blue Spruce Farm
Blue Spruce Farm in Bridport, Vermont is known for the many gallons of milk that its cows produce each year ...
Generating Clean Energy on Underutilized Land
Burlington-based Encore Renewable Energy is a leading integrated clean energy company specializing in commercial, industrial, and community-scale solar PV systems ...
VCRD 2015 Annual Report
Read the 2015 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2015, and what we’re looking forward to ...
Video ~ 2016 Climate Economy Summit
VCRD Summit Highlights Talented students from the Emergent Media Center at Champlain College interviewed Summit speakers and participants to capture ...
Editorial: Rising tides
As seen in the Times Argus: http://www.timesargus.com/article/20160225/OPINION01/160229804 A report out this week found that sea levels are rising more rapidly ...
Summit Explores Vermont’s Climate Economy
By Steve Zind, VPR. Listen here: http://digital.vpr.net/post/summit-explores-vermonts-climate-economy More than 400 participants attended the second annual Vermont Climate Economy Summit held ...
Gathering asks: Could Vermont benefit from climate change?
By Mark Johnson, vtdigger.org: http://vtdigger.org/2016/02/22/gathering-asks-could-vermont-benefit-from-climate-change/ RANDOLPH — Vermont is poised to benefit economically while also helping the world cope with ...
Optimism on Vermont’s ‘climate economy’
By Gregory Dennis, Addison County Independent: http://www.addisonindependent.com/ When confronted with the latest piece of bad news about climate change – ...
Audio ~ Can Vermont adapt to climate change?
In the midst of one of the warmest winters in memory, how can Vermont adapt to the new realities of ...
VCRD Summit focuses on growing Vt’s green jobs
As seen at Mountain Times: http://mountaintimes.info/vcrd-summit-focuses-on-growing-vts-green-jobs/ RANDOLPH – Strategies for keeping Vermont in the forefront of stimulating the growth of green jobs ...
Conference Held On Implementing A Climate Economy In Vermont
Listen to the audio of the Pat Bradley story on WAMC: http://wamc.org/post/conference-held-implementing-climate-economy-vermont#stream/0 Hundreds of people gathered in Randolph, Vermont Monday ...
Hundreds gather in Randolph for economic climate summit
See the story on WCAX: http://www.wcax.com/story/31285216/hundreds-gather-in-randolph-for-economic-climate-summit#.VsytXCQSffQ.email RANDOLPH, Vt. - Lawmakers and business leaders are fighting climate change and looking to ...
Communities lead in climate economy effort
By Andy Clark, Times Argus: http://www.timesargus.com/article/20160224/NEWS01/160229839 RANDOLPH — Vermont’s climate economy is a pace-setter for the nation, in large part ...
Leahy to Open Vermont Climate Economy Summit Monday, February 22
As seen at: http://www.vermontbiz.com/event/february/leahy-open-vermont-climate-economy-summit-monday-february-22 Senator Patrick Leahy to be opening speaker at the Vermont Climate Economy Summit, sponsored by the ...
Today’s Summit: Growing Vermont’s Green Jobs
Contact: Paul Costello, VCRD Executive Director, 802-223-5763, [email protected] EDITORS: Note, a complete Summit packet, including participants and bios, is available ...
Living Economically
By Laurie Caswell Burke, Wind Ridge columnist | As seen at Shelburne News: http://www.shelburnenews.com/2016/02/18/living-economically/ Miss the Paris Climate Summit? Here’s ...
VT Tech offers “living labs” for climate change solutions
With 100% of their degrees earned through applied, hand-on education, Vermont Tech students learn by doing. This experiential learning is ...
Times Argus Editorial: Building Blocks
As seen at: http://timesargus.com/article/20160205/OPINION01/160209789/0/SEARCH About a year ago, the Vermont Council on Rural Development held a daylong summit in Randolph ...
Opinion: Sooner or later, a new economy
Over the past year, as the Vermont Climate Change Economy Council (of which I was a member), listened to the ...
National Clean Energy Innovator to Keynote Vermont’s Climate Economy Summit
MONTPELIER, VT – Danny Kennedy, an internationally recognized opinion leader on climate and energy issues, will keynote Ideas to Action: ...
Remote Sensors Keep Turbines Running
Wind power nationally is growing at a rate of roughly 30% a year, but it remains a major capital expense ...
Barre Company Develops Power Breakthrough
A key factor in harnessing renewable energy is how efficiently the DC power can be converted to AC power for ...
Storage Adds Reliability to Renewable Energy
Vermont's Inc. (NRI) builds custom energy storage solutions to fit any application. As a result, the Waitsfield based company is ...
Little spray nozzle produces big benefits
Few of us think about how a better nozzle could reduce the entire spray can industry’s environmental impact. Yet at ...
Insulated panels help reduce energy use
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) make up one of the most sustainable, energy-efficient construction methods in the residential and light commercial ...
Lowering the price on large scale solar
Nathaniel Vandal is the co-founder of Green Peak Solar, a Waitsfield, Vermont-based company focusing on developing large-scale solar energy systems ...
Cutting fossil fuel use with compost heat
Enosburg Falls, VT - Most people know about composting—the natural recycling process that converts food scraps, leaves, and manures into ...
Energy innovation + preservation = downtown revitalization
Stevens & Associates, P.C., an architectural and engineering firm, has a passion for walkable environments and mixed use buildings. Their ...
Biking innovations drive this nonprofit
VBike is a nonprofit organization dedicated to shifting the bike culture in Vermont towards a more inclusive, fun, and transportation-oriented ...
Craftsbury Outdoor Center finds innovative heating solution for net-zero lodge
Tucked behind a secluded lake in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center is an outdoor-lovers’ dream that offers year ...
Cutting carbon one board at a time
ShackletonThomas is a Bridgewater, Vermont based company that specializes in making fine handmade furniture, pottery and accessories. For the past ...
SunCommon saves Vermonters $$ by repowering
As a former medic, police officer, non-profit manager, legislative director and values-led business executive - Duane Peterson has always been ...
Improving Vermont’s digital economy
Aired on WCAX: http://www.wcax.com/story/26609277/improving-vermonts-digital-economy Watch the video here: http://www.wcax.com/story/26609277/improving-vermonts-digital-economy?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=10615461 WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports- In the wake of ...
Stewardship pays off for Butternut Mountain Farm
In the over 40 years they’ve been in business, Butternut Mountain has built a reputation as a leader in Vermont’s ...
Landfill methane powers WEC’s generators
For ten years now, Washington Electric Co-op has been generating power from the stuff that Vermonters throw away. Their system ...
VCRD 2014 Annual Report
Read the VCRD 2014 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2014, and what we’re looking forward ...
A call for action
By Steve Pappas, Times Argus: www.timesargus.com A summit at Vermont Technical College on Wednesday showed exactly how far Vermont has progressed when it comes to climate ...
2015 – Community Leaders of St. Albans
On Wednesday , February 18th the Vermont Council on Rural Development presented the Vermont Community Leadership Award to the community ...
Living Economically: Ramp it up with Vermontivate, the game that inspires behavior change and fun
By Laurie Caswell Burke, published in the Shelburne News: http://shelburnenews.com/?p=20752 Last month I joined 400 Vermonters from around the state ...
Opinion: A crisis and an opportunity
Published in the Times Argus: http://www.timesargus.com/article/20150308/OPINION06/703089979 By Brian Shupe, Executive Director of the Vermont Natural Resources Council Many people have ...
Video ~ Climate Economy Summit
This video captured sessions at the Summit on “Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change” held at the Vermont Technical ...
Opinion: Moving forward on climate change
By Bill Laberge, owner of Grassroots Solar, and published in the Times Argus: http://www.timesargus.com/article/20150301/OPINION06/703019960/1014 Despite the thermometer suggesting otherwise, the ...
VCRD Awards its Annual Vermont Community Leadership Award and a new Community Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award
MONTPELIER, VT – On Wednesday , February 18th the Vermont Council on Rural Development presented the Vermont Community Leadership Award ...
Summit to tackle climate change, economy
This week’s Summit on Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change isn’t about the debate over climate change, organizers say ...
Video ~ Paul Costello and Ted Brady on City Room
This 28 minute program gives a good overview of the Climate Economy Summit and Initiative. City Room with Steve Pappas: ...
Nate Freeman: Vermont’s climate questions
By Nate Freeman. Published in vtdigger.org: http://vtdigger.org/2015/02/15/nate-freeman-vermonts-climate-questions/ Editor’s note: This commentary is by Nate Freeman, who is director of ClimatePlanners ...
Founder of World’s Largest Solar Company to Keynote Vermont’s Climate Change Economy Summit
MONTPELIER, VT –Jigar Shah, one of the today’s leading cleantech champions, will keynote the Summit on Creating Prosperity and Opportunity ...
Summit on “Creating Prosperity & Opportunity Confronting Climate Change”
The Summit on Creating Prosperity & Opportunity Confronting Climate Change, held February 18, 2015 at the Vermont Technical College in ...
Ron Miller Commentary: Upcoming Conference Promotes “Climate Change Economy”
The Vermont Council on Rural Development is holding a major statewide conference, “Creating Prosperity & Opportunity Confronting Climate Change,” in ...
Vermont Climate Economy Initiative
From Green Energy Times: http://www.greenenergytimes.net/2014/12/15/vermont-climate-economy-initiative/ The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is kicking off its new Climate Change Economy ...
February Summit to Kick Off New Focus on Vermont’s Climate Change Economy
MONTPELIER, VT –The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is kicking off its new Climate Change Economy Initiative with the ...
Vermont Council on Rural Development’s summit on ‘Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change’
The Vermont Council on Rural Development’s Summit on “Creating Prosperity and Opportunity Confronting Climate Change” on February 18, 2015 will ...
February Summit to Kick Off New Focus on Vermont’s Climate Change Economy
MONTPELIER, VT –The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is kicking off its new Climate Change Economy Initiative with the ...
Internet Intern Program Highlights Growing Need for Digital Skills Education
The following article was submitted by Martha Reid, Vermont State Librarian. Marty will be moderating the morning panel on “Digital ...
Using The Internet To Connect With Vermont Neighbors
One of the many ways that the Vermont Digital Economy Project has worked to foster resilience and create community engagement ...
How One Vermont Teacher Educates Girls (and Boys) for a Digital World
Betsy Calhoun, a business applications teacher at Lake Region Union High School in Orleans, Vermont, will take part in our ...
The Value of Human Centered Design in Vermont
One of the things that makes our summit unique is that by organizing our sessions into four tracks (Educating for a ...
Diverse Groups Will Use #VTStrong In Social Media To Encourage Vermonters To Volunteer
On Thursday, August 14th, VCRD’s Vermont Digital Economy Project facilitated a discussion with an impressive group of representatives from several ...
Heart of Vermont Productions Helps Strengthen Flood-Damaged Communities
Last August, at the closing ceremony of the 100on100 Heart of Vermont Relay on Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Heart of ...
Meet Our Keynote Speaker: Julie Lenzer Kirk
We are extremely pleased that our Keynote Speaker is Julie Lenzer Kirk. At our summit, she’ll speak to us about ...
Downtown Wi-Fi kickoff will be celebrated during Midnight Madness
The town's annual Midnight Madness event will coincide with a celebration of the recent Wi-Fi project completed in the downtown ...
Wi-Fi Coverage Continues to Grow
Although we have been crossing the state to launch numerous Wi-Fi zones over the past few weeks, each town we’re ...
Bennington gets new Wi-Fi service
A new Wi-Fi service is up and running downtown. The free access is part of an effort by Vermont's Council ...
Barre To Launch New Wi-Fi Zone To Kick Off The “Barre Heritage Festival”
BARRE, VT - On July 23rd, from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm, Barre, Vermont, will celebrate its public downtown Wi-Fi ...
Bennington To Launch New Wi-Fi Zone at “Midnight Madness”
BENNINGTON, VT - On July 17th, from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Bennington, Vermont, will celebrate its public downtown Wi-Fi ...
Vermonters Raise their Voices in Support of Net Neutrality at Senator Leahy’s Hearing
For the past few months, the media has been awash with stories about net neutrality. Recently, these stories became particularly ...
How Nonprofits Can Use Video
By connecting compelling visuals to a story, a good video can inspire, inform, agitate, or promote an organization or cause. Just a ...
Celebrating a Year of Wi-Fi Zone Launches
Almost exactly one year ago, in June 2013, the Vermont Digital Economy Project launched its first Wi-Fi zone in South ...
How Can Your Social Media Presence Help Or Hurt You In a Job Search?
Earlier this month, the Vermont Digital Economy Project organized a training for the Adult Outreach team at the Vermont Student Assistance ...
Waterbury To Launch New Wi-Fi Zone
WATERBURY, VT - On June 26th, at 7 pm, Waterbury, Vermont, will celebrate its new, free public downtown Wi-Fi zone, ...
Learning to Show Love Through Computers
This post was written by Tracy Staples, the program's Internet Intern at the Brown Public Library in Northfield, VT. I began ...
IBM Disaster Prep Experts Assist Vermont Food Shelves
Last Thursday, IBM consultants delivered a disaster preparedness for nonprofits workshop to food shelf managers from across Vermont to ensure ...
Cambridge To Launch New Wi-Fi Zone At “An Evening On Main Street”
CAMBRIDGE, VT - On June 19th, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Cambridge, Vermont, will celebrate the new, free public ...
CCV Offers Microsoft IT Academy Digital Training Statewide
Microsoft Corporation is one of VCRD's partners in the Vermont Digital Economy Project. Through a generous in-kind donation of three ...
How a Community Garden Went From Online to On-the-Ground
Small organizations are at the heart of most communities, and they are often born directly in response to a community’s ...
Why It’s Important to Learn How to Teach Digital Skills
One of the most important services we are delivering is digital skills training. We’re doing that through both our Internet ...
Vergennes Community Visit Ends on a High Note
On Wednesday May 21, VCRD and a Community Visit Resource Team went back to Vergennes for our last session as ...
What the End of Support for Windows XP Means for an Organization
After twelve years of support and plenty of advanced notice, on April 8th of this year, Microsoft officially ended its ...
What Rural Vermont Downtowns Can Do With Super-Fast Internet Bandwidth
I recently attended the 20th Annual Historic Preservation & Downtown Conference deep in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. This year’s conference had ...
Feeding More Vermonters Through Online Coordination
Vermont fruit and vegetable farmers produce hundreds of tons of edible, farm-fresh food, but often, not all of their production ...
More Wi-Fi Projects Take Shape Thanks to Collaboration with the VTA
One of the most exciting services that we are delivering through the Vermont Digital Economy Project is the installation of ...
Wi-Fi in Downtown Windsor: Free Network Will Cover Center of Town
Windsor — A student sitting on a bench doing homework on a laptop. A businessman enjoying lunch outside a cafe ...
How An Online Game Helps Students Learn about Lake Champlain
Games have always been a great tool for teachers to engage students and make learning fun. For example, they have ...
IBM Experts Help Vermont 211 Structure New Website
Part of the matching funds for our grant was graciously donated by IBM, which, through its Impact Grants program, allows ...
Richmond Vt’s New Town Website Warns Townspeople of Severe Flooding
This article was written by Tess Gauthier, Project Coordinator at the Snelling Center for Government In the last newsletter, I provided ...
More than 100 Vergennes Residents Set Priorities to Advance the Community
Over the past few months, we’ve been writing about our Community Visit process that is underway in Vergennes. Through this ...
Vergennes dedicates Task Forces to address priorities; Resource Meeting May 21 to build action steps
On April 16, over 100 Vergennes community members gathered in a community meeting to consider the ideas that were discussed ...
Vermont’s Smallest City Thinks Big
The citizens of Vergennes have set the top three priorities for their city, in an effort to take a big ...
VCRD 2013 Annual Report
Read the 2013 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2013, and what we’re looking forward to ...
What Can We Learn from the UK’s Push for Digital Skill-Building?
The graphic above is used in the UK’s small business digital skills survey Vermont’s Digital Skills Roundtable was formed last ...
New Websites for 15 Vermont Towns
[highlight_404_links]This article was written by Tess Gauthier, Project Coordinator at the Snelling Center for Government The Snelling Center for Government ...
How Can Technology Affect Sustainability Practices?
This past Saturday at the ACORN Sustainable Living Expo, I presented with Michael Wood-Lewis, co-founder of Front Porch Forum, on ...
iConnect Workshops: Helping Internet Beginners Get Connected
by Eric Sakai, Community College of Vermont A couple of years ago, my then-85-year-old mother called me from California in ...
Vermont Puts Spotlight on Need to Advance Digital Skills for Vermonters
Last December the Vermont Department of Libraries and the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) convened a roundtable discussion with a diverse ...
Bridport Creamery Is Open for Business
by Nancy Shuttleworth, VtSBDC E-commerce Business Advisor Online tools may not be at the start of every new business, but ...
Vermont’s Cultural Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning
This Piano came from the famed Weston Playhouse in Weston, Vermont. It is Vermont’s oldest professional theater (est. 1935) and ...
How One Library Is Building a Usable and Inclusive New Website
There is a term that developers refer to when building websites called usability. The basic premise involves creating websites that ...
Manchester’s Education Task Force Goes Digital
Last year, VCRD completed a 6-month Community Visit in the southern Vermont town of Manchester. This process helped Manchester residents ...
The VCRD Website Got an Update!
Maybe you’ve noticed, but our website just got an overhaul. The old VCRD home page vs the new VCRD home ...
Who Does an Internet Intern Help?
This article was written by Christine Friese, Assistant State Librarian The Computers at Rutland Free Library get a lot of ...
NEK Today and Tomorrow: Development drives discussion
By Hilary Niles, vtdigger.org: http://vtdigger.org/2013/06/17/nek-today-and-tomorrow-development-drives-discussion/ Bill Stenger found more money than he knew what to do with when he started ...
Broadband Efforts in Vermont Communities
Here are some of the broadband efforts in Vermont communities that have happened or are still in progress. Ascutney Area ...
More Internet Access For Vermonters Across the State
Call it the polar vortex, an arctic blast, or just call it winter. Whatever its name, the recent spate of ...
Long Road Leads To Opening Day Success for Vermont Start-up Business
This article was written by Patrick Ripley, Director of e-Commerce at the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) After many ...
Why Everyone Should Take Advantage of Free Online Digital Training
Free digital skills training has been available in the Rutland area for the past several months, made possible by a ...
Video ~ Summit on the Future of Vermont’s Working Landscape
Thanks to Orca Media for filming the Summit sessions that took place in Judd Hall and making the video available ...
Celebrating working lands
On Dec. 17, hundreds of Vermonters will come together at Vermont Technical Center to celebrate the success of the Working ...
Gathering to celebrate, foster Vermont’s rural renaissance
Randolph — On Dec. 17, hundreds of Vermonters will come together at Vermont Technical Center to celebrate the success of ...
VCRD honors Orly Munzing with Community Leadership Award
The Vermont Council on Rural Development has presented its 2013 Vermont Community Leadership Award to Orly Munzing, founder and executive ...
Stroll’s Munzing gets community leadership award
BRATTLEBORO -- Strolling of the Heifers founder Orly Munzing this week received the 2013 Vermont Community Leadership Award from the ...
Working Lands in Governor’s Budget
Last week, Governor Shumlin delivered his budget address to the Vermont legislature, and in that address, he showed a renewed ...
How Farm and Forest Businesses Can Intersect with Technology
One of the reasons I love Vermont is because of its agricultural background. Between the push for a Working Landscape, ...
What An Online Presence Can Do To Help Food Shelves Reach Vermonters In Need
The Woodstock Community Food Shelf board of directors: back row, left to right: Sally Gottlieb, Joan Williamson, Norm Youknot and ...
Why Community Calendars are Important, and How Front Porch Forum Created One
Every community in Vermont now has access to its own online calendar, thanks to Front Porch Forum and the Vermont ...
Using Digital Tools in Farm & Forest Businesses
Stepping up the use of digital tools can be a game-changer for small agricultural and forest products businesses. The integration ...
How One Library Patron Found New Ways to Communicate With Her Family
This article was written by Domenic Laurenzi, an Internet Intern who works at the Dailey Memorial Library in Derby and the ...
Battenkill Campground Rebounds After Irene
This article was written by Nancy Shuttleworth, E-Commerce Advisor at VtSBDC The Battenkill River is known as one of the ...
Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2014 from the Vermont Digital Economy Project!
I can’t believe that my first blog article as director of the Vermont Digital Economy Project was nine months ago, and ...
How the Vermont Digital Economy Project Has Made an Impact in One Vermont Town
On a chilly Thursday evening in late November, members of the new downtown development group called Wilmington Works, town officials, ...
Nonprofits in the White River Valley Get Website Upgrades
Juli Reiderer, Park House Exectutive Director, looks at her organization's new website An empowered organization is a successful organization. For ...
Vermont Clothing Company Stays Resilient with New Website
This article was written by Patrick Ripley, Director of e-Commerce at the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) Rochester was one of ...
IBM Donates Expert Disaster Preparedness Consulting to Vermont Nonprofits
Earlier this month, two IBM specialists in business continuity and resiliency services conducted two Disaster Preparedness for Nonprofit Workshops in ...
Conference Focuses on Financing Working Lands
Vermont Public Radio: http://digital.vpr.net/post/conference-focuses-financing-working-lands According to those working to improve farming and forestry opportunities in Vermont, the state is experiencing ...
Sustainable Logging Business Improves Its Operations With Digital Tools
This article was written by Patrick Ripley, Director of e-Commerce at VtSBDC Unlike many Vermont business owners, when Bethel logger Carl ...
Building Inclusion Through Digital Literacy
This year, we were excited to be a part of Tech Jam, a technology-focused job fair that also serves to ...
Discussing Technology and Open Data at the Woodstock Digital Media Festival
On November 1st, the Vermont Digital Economy Project will be facilitating a discussion at the Woodstock Digital Media Festival on ...
Guilford Community Visit Creates Discussion Among Residents
It was humbling to be part of the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s visiting team for the Guilford Community Visit ...
Internet Interns Fulfill A Need
This article was written by Donald de Voil, Internet Interns Coordinator at CCV In today's world, it can be impossible ...
Vermont Libraries Learn Social Media Strategies
This article was written by Christine Friese, Assistant State Librarian, Vermont Department of Libraries Recently, Library directors, trustees and staff ...
Costello Commentary: Advancing the Vermont Forest Economy
In August, VCRD was honored to serve as a partner with the Windham Foundation to facilitate their thirty-fifth Grafton Conference ...
Cities & Towns Learn How Digital Tools Create Community Resilience, In Good Times and Bad
On October 3rd, I had the great pleasure of moderating an educational panel at the Vermont League of Cities & ...
#VTStrong: Vermont Developing Detailed Plan to Use Social Media to Leverage Volunteers
On September 23rd, the Vermont Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) in Waterbury hosted an IBM “Strategies for ...
Bethel Emergency Management Volunteers Leverage Neighbors and Technology
A goal of our grant is to assist towns, business and nonprofits in using technology to be more prepared in ...
Wilmington Business Groups Get Post-Irene Boost
This article is written by Patrick Ripley, VtSBDC Director of e-Commerce Wilmington was one of many southern Vermont communities hit ...
VCRD Hosts State Rural Policy Roundtable
Last week, VCRD hosted a “State Rural Policy Innovation Roundtable” reviewing key rural development action led by states and how ...
Vermont Small Business Development Center Has Published the Disaster Recovery Guide for Business
The Vermont Small Business Development Center is a key partner in the Vermont Digital Economy Project. We are happy to ...
VCRD Brings Front Porch Forum to Every Vermont Town
Lost dog found in Waitsfield, plow service recommended in Pownal, school board minutes shared in Newport, car break-in reported in ...
Engaging Citizens To Help Build Municipal Websites
This article was written by Tess Gauthier, Project Coordinator at the Snelling Center The Snelling Center for Government is happy ...
“Social Media Surgeons” Work in Woodstock
On a Tuesday night, in the upstairs rooms of the Thompson Senior Center in Woodstock, Vermont, 17 members of ...
How and Why the Tech Community is Giving Back to Vermont Nonprofits
Vermont’s 2011 floods demonstrated the potential for digital tools to support community resilience and recovery, as well as the vulnerability ...
Free Digital Workforce Training Now Available at CCV Rutland!
Two months ago, we announced the Community College of Vermont (CCV) Rutland facility was going to be the first location ...
Working Lands “Service Provider” and “Capital and Infrastructure” grants will be announced at June 18 Press Conference
16 Grantees will Receive Over $750,000 in Total Funding Governor Peter Shumlin, Agency of Agriculture Secretary Chuck Ross, Agency of ...
More chances for creating downtown Wi-Fi zones, through the VTA’s Business Broadband Improvement District Designation
Our goal, through the Vermont Digital Economy Project, is to help Vermonters use and understand digital tools better. We know ...
Digital Tools Bring Increased Access to Quality Healthcare for Rural Vermonters
Last week, I participated in a Broadband Access Roundtable Discussion for Vermont’s healthcare providers co-hosted by the USDA - Rural Development ...
With iPads and GIS, High School Students Map Needed Roadwork in Sharon
Paul Haskell, Chair of the Sharon Selectboard was a part of a group discussion on how to use digital mapping ...
Local Nonprofits Encouraged to Use More Online Tools to Build Stronger Organization
For Immediate Release Press Contact: Rob Fish, Nonprofit Adviser, Vermont Digital Economy Project (802) 488-5143 LOCAL NONPROFITS ENCOURAGED TO USE ...
Using Social Media to Leverage Volunteers after Disasters
Our visits to Vermont’s flood-impacted communities reveal several compelling stories of how towns used social media to help recover from ...
Internet Internship: How the program helped change one intern’s life
By Mary McClements, Coordinator of Academic Services-Career Training Programs at CCV Blake dropped out of school when he was sixteen ...
Helping to Improve the Visibility of Food Shelves in Vermont
Vermont’s strength is a direct result of the strength of the community organizations that step up in time of need, ...
Free Certificate Programs for Digital Skills Coming to CCV Rutland, Thanks to Microsoft
Offering highly accessible digital workforce education is a key part of the Vermont Digital Economy Project. Project partner Microsoft is ...
Front Porch Forum Will Be Expanded to Every Vermont Town that Wants It
All of this rain has reminded me how important it is that our Vermont Digital Economy Project will bring Front Porch Forum to ...
Flood-Impacted Community Libraries Should Apply for Their Very Own Internet Intern!
This article was written by Christine Friese, Assistant State Librarian. To apply for an Internet Intern for your Library, fill ...
Free Individual Digital Advising to Help Farm & Forest Ventures Improve Operations
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) has its roots in the 1992 Farm Bill. The organization has also taken ...
What a Wi-Fi Zone Means to One Vermont Town
In a bright renovated Town Hall in Bethel Vermont, with sunlight flowing into the room from large windows lining two ...
How a Woodstock Nonprofit Saved $1300 a Year Thanks to Digital Tools
The Ottauquechee Community Partnership (OCPVT) is a locally funded non-profit organization with a focus on connecting young people to the ...
Vermont Digital Economy Project Brings Free Wi-Fi to Downtown Bethel
BETHEL, VT - The town of Bethel, Vermont, will be celebrating the arrival of a free and public downtown Wi-Fi ...
Vermont Digital Economy Project Delivers Free Downtown Wi-Fi and Much More to Flood-Impacted Communities
June 14, 2013 (Montpelier, Vermont.) -- On a rainy Thursday afternoon, vendors gathered on the South Royalton green for the ...
Woodstock Area Nonprofits Join Together
At the Vermont Digital Economy Project, we know that a connected community is a resilient community. While we’ve been focusing ...
Royalton To Launch Free Wi-Fi Funded by the Vermont Digital Economy Project
SOUTH ROYALTON, VT - After weeks of preparation, decision-making and community involvement, the town of Royalton will kick off its ...
Building Digital Inclusion into a Hackathon
This past weekend was the National Day of Civic Hacking. While for many of us, hacking brings up ominous images ...
Success with Social Media: The Bethel Historical Society
Heidi M. Nikolaidis, of the Bethel Historical Society, received help from Rob Fish on the society's Facebook Page. Here's what ...
Waterbury Pub Owners Leverage Social Media to Grow Their Business
More than 20 years ago, Vermonters Jeffrey and Maryanne Larkin opened Arvad’s Grill & Pub in Waterbury. From the very ...
Old and New Businesses May Help Each Other in Bethel
Digital tools can create an important advantage in running a business these days, and we're working in Bethel on a ...
Maintaining the Past into the Future: Helping Historical Societies
Members of the Bethel Historical Society I remember as a young boy growing up and being fascinated by the local ...
Internet Interns: Balancing life: theirs and others
By Mary McClements, Coordinator of Academic Services-Career Training Programs at CCV ‘Balance’ is a great buzz word these days, in ...
Two Important Developments: Working Lands and Farm Bill
As a neutral policy and community development convener, VCRD is rarely directly connected to legislative matters but we are excited ...
An App for Vermont Farmers, Created by Heather Darby
Our search for relevant workshop content for Vermont’s farm and forest sector led us straight to someone who may, at ...
Mobile Technology: Its Benefits for Individuals and Organizations, and its Drawbacks
At the Vermont Digital Economy Project, we're passionate about using new technologies to improve disaster resilience and spur economic growth ...
Building Resilience Through Radio at Royalton Community Radio
After a week and a half of meetings with over twenty nonprofits ranging from historical societies to downtown revitalization organizations, ...
The Effective Use of Internet Tools During Disasters
Our hearts go out to everyone who was injured or affected in the unthinkable attack on the Boston Marathon last ...
Digital Economy Services Come to Life
As we discussed in an earlier post, the Vermont Digital Economy Project has been getting its feet wet and meeting ...
Microsoft Digital Literacy
Our partners at Microsoft have developed a Digital Literacy program that helps to bridge the digital divide. We’re working with ...
Making Digital Workshops Relevant for the Agricultural Sector and Nonprofits
An important service offered by our project is the Vermont Small Business Development Center’s digital workshops. They’re designed to teach ...
Keeping The Youth in Vermont
I’ve been struck by census data on rural communities that shows that some rural towns across the country are rapidly ...
Vermont Digital Economy Project Begins Assisting Flood-Impacted Communities
April 8, 2013 (MONTPELIER, VT) – The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announced today the first round of communities ...
Reflections on Our First Team Visits to Flood-Impacted Towns
Every time I commute to the Vermont Council of Rural Development office in Montpelier, I head north out of my ...
Internet Interns: How to Help Bridge the Digital Divide
Guest post by Christine Friese, Assistant State Librarian Vermont Department of Libraries is pleased to be partnering again with VCRD ...
“Traditional” vs. “Future” Vermont: Is there really a divide?
I was interviewed by a local TV program recently on the work of VCRD. The host thought it was interesting ...
What’s New at VCRD: Community Visits
Vermonters across the state know that local action makes our communities vibrant. But local action often needs support from regional, ...
Citizenville: how new technologies can empower local governments
Over the next 18 months, VCRD’s Digital Economy Project will be working to help Vermont communities, businesses and nonprofits become ...
Digital Economy Applications Are In!
We’ve had a busy few weeks at the Vermont Digital Economy Project! Not only were Sharon, Rob and I getting ...
Welcome to the Vermont Digital Economy Project!
I am excited to join the Vermont Council on Rural Development as the Director of the Vermont Digital Economy Project ...
Working Lands Enterprises are Growing Throughout the State
The Working Lands Enterprise Board received a total of 387 applications for the three investment areas, for a total requested ...
Working Lands Coalition Calls for “5-by-3” Investment: Five million per year for three years will build a strong working lands economy
Members of the Working Lands Coalition launched their “5-by-3” campaign on Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at the Vermont State House ...
2012 Beginner Friendly Website Contest – Winning Entry
Congratulations to Lars Hasselblad Torres, the winner of the 2012 Beginner Friendly Website Design contest. Our panel of judges selected ...
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 ...
Communication and Consistency on the Rise
(Hardwick, VT) Sixth grade students at Hardwick Elementary classrooms are getting more connected with their teachers when it comes to ...
Students Help Families Lead the Way for More Technology Funding at School
(Fairfield, VT) Educators, students, and their parents have all played a key role in the growing presence of computer and ...
Jay and Westfield Share Resources to Build Digital Communities
Jay and Westfield, located in the state’s “Northeast Kingdom” near the Canadian border, share common north/south town borders, and depend ...
Students Teaching Parents
(Dover, VT) Fourth, fifth and sixth-grade students at Dover Elementary got more than just a taste of technology this year ...
Students Taking Charge in the Classroom
(Bridgewater Village, VT) With the Digital Wish training wrapping up, teachers at Bridgewater Village Elementary School reminisced on their experiences ...
New Opportunities with Technology Bolstered by Committed Instructional Support
(Calais, VT) When a school receives new technology, it can be an exciting opportunity to expand learning and help guide ...
New Technology Initiates Connections For Teachers and Students
(Morristown, VT) The growing prevalence of broadband Internet access and cloud computing has made itself well known across classrooms at ...
Students Get Creative With Building on Ideas
(Jay, VT) Recently, students at Jay/Westfield Elementary have been able to flex their creative muscles with new technology in both ...
Technology Ties into the Curriculum
(Addison, VT) Teachers at Addison Elementary School are using the tools Digital Wish provided them this past year to further ...
After-school Program Expansion
(Middletown Springs, VT) While e-Vermont and Digital Wish classroom training are winding down, the Kodu Game Lab after-school program is ...
Online School Newsletter for Community Connection
(Moretown, VT) For most elementary schools, a school newsletter can be a fun way to give students experience in journalism, ...
1:1 and Cloud-based Computing = Tools for Student Success
(Castleton, VT) At Castleton Elementary School, computers are being integrated into the daily routine of 5th grade students thanks to ...
New Tech. Infrastructure Helps Teachers Improve Student Focus & Participation
(Richford, VT) One of the greatest challenges teachers face with their classrooms is making sure their students are staying on ...
Vermont Business Owners Adapt to Rapid Change
Although the digital age may seem in its infancy, many Vermont small business owners are learning that they have already ...
More Insights from Internet Interns
From late fall of 2011 to spring of 2012, the Vermont State Colleges placed student interns in public libraries to ...
Front Porch Forum Helps Calais Neighbors Connect
What if nearly every household in a small rural town were in daily communication with each other? What would change? ...
VCRD 2011 Annual Report
Read the 2011 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2011, and what we’re looking forward to ...
Insights from Internet Interns
A lot of Internet learning begins at the local library, where there are computers and Internet connections to get patrons ...
Fairfield Fifth Grader Makes Most Out of Tech Tools
Noah Carpenter, 5th grader at Fairfield Center School, is making the most out of the new Netbooks he and his ...
Bridgewater Uses Social Media in Irene Recovery
For many Vermont communities, the terrible flooding in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene brought home both the importance of ...
Legislative Panel Hears Strong Support for Working Lands Bill
MONTPELIER, VT – Vermont Rural Jobs Bill Draws a Crowd: A legislative panel holding a public hearing on the Vermont ...
Bristol Family Gets Emergency Help Through Front Porch Forum
e-Vermont partner Front Porch Forum provides towns and neighborhoods with a virtual town green and bulletin board. Once FPF is ...
5th Grader Helps Mom Sharpen Tech Skills
Through e-Vermont, students at Dover elementary are getting more than just a taste of technology – they’re becoming tech experts ...
Community History Goes Online
The Russell Vermontiana Collection includes rare books, works by Vermont authors, historic documents, photographs and genealogies focused on Arlington and ...
Town Clerk Expands Online Services for Fairfield
Fairfield, Vermont is synonymous with maple sugaring and dairy farming, and was the birth place of the 21st president of ...
Bristol Workshop Uncovers Free Things on the Internet
The Vermont State Colleges is an e-Vermont partner providing introductory Internet trainings across the state as well as online webinars ...
Fairfield’s New Library Partners with Online Farmers Market
In one busy month, Fairfield opened a beautiful new library, launched a community newsletter, and unveiled an online farmers market ...
Front Porch Forum Boosts Middlesex Business
(12/8/11) - e-Vermont partner Front Porch Forum provides towns and neighborhoods with a virtual town green and bulletin board. Residents ...
FPF Provides Moretown with Crucial Communication Link During and After Irene
(12/8/11) - The village center of Moretown sits along the usually friendly Mad River. But Tropical Storm Irene swelled it ...
Laptops Mean 1:1 Learning at Dover Elementary
(12-2-2011) - e-Vermont and partner Digital Wish are helping to expand the world of learning for every 4th, 5th, and ...
Artists and Entrepreneurs Create New Community Portal
(12/1/2011) - A group of local artists and entrepreneurs have banded together to showcase their community - the town of ...
Small Business Center Filling Fast in Poultney
(10/10/11) - When longtime Poultney print shop owner Chuck Colvin decided to retire, he knew he didn’t want to call ...
Social Media Means Business for Accounting Start-Up
(10/10/11) - When the recession hit in 2008, Jennifer Partch Whitehurst of Poultney was among the tens of thousands of ...
Websites Help Farm Family Find Niche Markets
(10/10/11) - When Vermont Small Business Development Center’s (VtSBDC) Broadband Business Advisor Patrick Ripley began his e-Vermont community visits, Troy ...
West Rutland Celebrates Year of Digital Achievements
(9/21/11) - The e-Vermont Community Broadband Project congratulates the West Rutland team for its completion of a successful year. Since ...
How Do You Read the Web?
(5/4/11) - The Vermont State Colleges (VSC) are offering a variety of tools to help residents of e-Vermont communities learn ...
Gallery of Vermontiana Goes Online
(5/4/11) - We talk about the Internet as the communications tool of the future, but it is also a new ...
Introducing Gallup Brook Fencing (and other great VT businesses)
(5/4/11) - The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) employs an e-Vermont business advisor to work one on one with ...
VCRD 2010 Annual Report
VCRD 2010 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2010, and what we’re looking forward to in ...
VCRD 2008 Annual Report
Read the 2008 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2008, and what we’re looking forward to ...
VCRD 2007 Annual Report
Read the 2007 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2007, and what we’re looking forward to ...
VCRD 2006 Annual Report
Read the 2006 Annual Report for an overview of our programming, updates from 2006, and what we’re looking forward to ...