A way for towns to engage and bring together their residents, set common goals and directions in a neutral and facilitated structure, and access resources that will help them take action on those goals.
In March 2019, over 200 Poultney residents came together to discuss the impacts on the town associated with the closing of Green Mountain College, and to consider what community residents could do to address the challenges facing Poultney and revitalize the town and village of Poultney. As a result of this “Poultney Comes Together” process,…
On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Vermont Council on Rural Development visited the town of Rockingham in a priority-setting meeting at the Bellows Falls Opera House to continue the process that began Dec. 4, 2019 with its well-attended community forums.
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: they want to build a youth center, establish a climate and energy task force, and redevelop Bellows Falls buildings. At a well-attended public meeting Wednesday evening, the second in the “Let’s Take Action” community planning…
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 two-dozen possibilities into three plans for action: Should the town improve internet and cellphone service? Recruit new residents? Expand an alphabet of opportunities, starting with arts, bike lanes and child care? A local who recalled…
The second meeting of Rockingham In Action, the community visit by the Vermont Council on Rural Development will be this coming Wednesday. The second step of the “Let’s Take Action” visit will be held at the Rockingham Town Hall, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
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 for economic development gone? The Windham County Economic Development Program, WCEDP (pronounced “wikidip”), was set up as part of an agreement between Energy Nuclear and the state to soften the impact of the closing of…
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 I know a change is gonna come.” – Sam Cooke This article was written as a collaborative effort between Vermont Works Management Company and Vermont Innovation Commons. As we wrap another decade, the feeling of…
The temptation with bad news, like that of the closing of Green Mountain College, is to sit on one’s hands, paralyzed by structural change beyond immediate local control. The alternative is to come together, line up strategies and do what is in your power to move your community forward.
In 2016, VCRD held its community visit process in Vernon. Revitalizing the town and establishing a village center was one of the priorities the community chose as a result of the process. This article shares some of the progress they’ve made since the visit. By Olga Peters/The Commons: http://www.commonsnews.org/site/sitenext/story.php?articleno=31591&page=1 VERNON—As at least 20 people toured…
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 long-term planning approach was on the minds of community members during a series of public forums led by Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) on Dec. 4, as part of its community visit to Rockingham…