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), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting rural communities, will host the first of four forums for residents in the towns of Royalton, Sharon, Strafford, and Tunbridge. The first meeting will be held at the White River…
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 can be an expensive place to live. After we pay the rent or mortgage, taxes, health care, transportation and heating, there’s often not much left over. It’s a fact of our rural economy. But that’s…
VCRD held a Craftsbury Community Visit process in 2015. The article below shows how Sterling College built on the opportunities identified during that process into the idea of a community Wellness Center. ——————– Craftsbury Common, VT – Sterling College has received a challenge grant from the Peter Alfond Foundation to make possible $1.34 million to…
Paul Costello, VCRD Executive Director, was interviewed by this Georgia newspaper about what is working in Vermont as Georgia looks to set policy that improves opportunity in rural Georgia. Scroll to the end! ———————- By Maggie Lee, as seen in the SaportaReport: https://saportareport.com/georgia-and-other-states-have-rural-prosperity-on-their-minds-now-how-to-get-it-done/ The tale of town versus country is an old one. In metro…
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 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. By night and by weekend, the 45-year-old engineer rides herd on his four children’s many extracurricular activities in and around his, and their, native White River valley. And somehow, he hopes…
VCRD helped bring Front Porch Forum to every town in Vermont through our eVermont Community Broadband and Vermont Digital Economy projects. This article expands on the history of this unique social network designed to build bonds between neighbors and make communities more resilient. ——————- By Andrew Liptak, as seen in The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/24/18129437/front-porch-forum-vermont-social-network-listserv-local-online-community (click the…
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 if they hope to survive. Officials talk about bringing in broadband internet and cell phone coverage, and encouraging young families to move in. But as they try to avoid population decline and other problems, some…
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 visited Guilford to facilitate a community discussion. During that process, the renovation of the building belonging to the Broad Brook Grange was identified as a top priority. “The Guilford Grange building is an irreplaceable community…
Thanks to Senator Leahy for his work to include the continuation of authoriation, by statute, for State Rural Development Councils (SRDC) in the new Farm Bill. The authorization will ensure that SRDC’s – including VCRD – will be able to continue their important work of strengthening rural communities in their states. —————— As seen in…
VCRD awarded Hank and Molly Lambert its “Community Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award” in September 2018. Together, they are a force for good in their community and in Vermont. Thanks to Hank and Molly for all they do! —————- By TOM BENTON, as seen in the St. Albans Messenger: https://www.samessenger.com/the-lamberts-building-on-good-things/ SWANTON — The Vermont Council on…