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 indications are that there really are “Two Vermonts.” According to the new Rural Life Survey commissioned by Vermont Public Radio and Vermont PBS, generally Vermonters enjoy life in their rural communities, and most say they’re…
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 and Sept. 9, is part of a project by VPR and Vermont PBS called “This Land: The Changing Story of Rural Vermont.” The poll results suggest that story is complicated. Vermonters generally enjoy life in…
In 2018, Wallingford participated in our Community Visit Program. Through the process, a task force group was formed to “Build Multi-Use Trails, River / Lake Access & Boost Recreation Capactiy.” By Keith Whitcomb Jr., as seen in the Rutland Herald: https://www.rutlandherald.com/news/group-forming-to-promote-white-rocks-area/article_724a67c9-08db-5c1c-8e17-34aa907372f8.html WALLINGFORD — A group of outdoor lovers wanting to raise the profile of White…
Several hundred people turned out last year for forums held by the Vermont Council on Rural Development and the list of priorities people came up with was centered around conserving land for recreational use.
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…
The brilliant, irrepressible, irresistible Paul Bruhn, one of Vermont’s most effective leaders and beloved citizens, passed away on Thursday the 19th of September. In addition to being the founder and Executive Director of the Preservation Trust of Vermont, Paul was a giant in the field of historic preservation and community development, and a key leader…
VCRD and our partners in the Working Lands Coalition had a major victory in the past legislative session. Legislators recognized the crucial role of enterprise investments in stimulating new farm and forest innovation, stimulating new businesses and jobs, and creatively expanding collaborative marketing, distribution and added $1,000,000 to the Governor’s initial recommendation of $595,000 for…
Since 2017, VCRD has convened the Climate Economy Action Team (CEAT), a group of business and non-profit leaders dedicated to advancing distributed clean energy generation, energy efficiency, and climate solutions entrepreneurship. We are working together to help start new Vermont businesses, expand innovation and the profitability of existing businesses, and reduce Vermont’s carbon impact while…
Vermont’s stagnating population has concerned residents and policymakers for years. Census data shows that from 2010 to 2018, 10,000 more people left Vermont than moved into the state.
In 2018, VCRD brought its Community Visit program to Montgomery. Residents prioritized “improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety” as key to improving the town.