A way for communities to build and implement plans that model state-of-the-art rural development in an age of climate change.
This class of Climate Catalysts was announced in November 2020: RJ Adler is the founder of Easy A House, and the Business Development Director for Wheel Pad. Previously he worked at SunCommon and the Keewaydin Foundation. He’s lived in VT since 2008 mostly in Middlebury, but followed his heart to Central VT to live with…
The application deadline has passed. VCRD is seeking a dedicated, energetic and hardworking Community Projects Associate to provide facilitation, technical assistance, coaching, resource connections, grant drafting, and other support to local leaders who are driving projects forward for community and economic recovery. We’re looking for someone who: demonstrates excellent project development and communication skills is…
The Marshfield and Plainfield communities participated in VCRD's Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP) in 2019. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Over 150 residents participated in the “Revitalizing All of Marshfield and Plainfield:…
Randolph participated in VCRD’s Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP) in 2018. CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Over 300 Randolph residents participated in the “R3 – Randolph Region Re-Energized” process with support from…
Task Force Co-Chairs: Kagen Dewey and Elise Magnant Task Force Description: This task force will work to build a farm and food producer network. This network may work to facilitate sharing of resources, farm-based events, mentorship, land-matching/sharing, shared marketing, re-invigoration of the farmers’ market and other opportunities. Task Force Update: The task force worked actively…
Task Force Chair: Bob Atchinson Task Force Description: Transportation represents a major household expense and a major contributor to Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions. This task force is working to develop new alternatives to increase flexibility while also decreasing costs and emissions. Task Force Update: This task force has worked with representatives from Go Vermont to…
Task Force Co-Chairs: Diana Batzel and Nick Siefert Task Force Description: This task force will work with partners to assist home owners, renters, businesses and community institutions in reducing energy use, using renewable energy, and fuel switching. Task Force Update: Energy Improvements At Twinfield School: Twinfield School is a treasured community institution and has already…
Task Force Co-Chairs: Richard Baker (Marshfield) and Jamie Spector (Plainfield) Task Force description: Downtown Marshfield and downtown Plainfield are key hubs of economic, social, and cultural activity. The health and vitality of both communities depends in part on the vibrancy of these two places. Route 2 also plays a critical role in defining both communities,…
Over 120 Marshfield and Plainfield residents came together through the Model Communities program to consider the future of their two towns and how they can collectively rally to maintain the vibrancy of both places while also tackling climate change. From this process, the residents created Revitalizing All Marshfield and Plainfield,” or RAMP, consisting of four…
Middlebury was the second community to participate in VCRD's Climate Economy Model Community Program (CEMCP). CEMCP is community-driven process with local leaders, VCRD, Green Mountain Power, and Efficiency Vermont to cultivate economic development, innovation, and affordability in the face of climate change. Read the Greater Middlebury Report and Action Plan. Through the process, community members…