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Community Announcements
St Johnsbury's Kingdom Maple Festival, April 18th, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
St. Johnsbury will host the Kingdom Maple Festival with a sweet Street Fair on Railroad Street. Enjoy maple-themed activities & crafts, maple products, live music, fair food and more! If you're interested in participating as a street vendor, contact director@discoverstjohnsbury.com (802) 748-8575..
NVDA's 2026 Regional Plan - A work in progress
NVDA planners continue to put finishing touches on NVDA's (draft) 2026 Regional Plan. Every eight years the Regional Plan must be updated to better reflect statewide planning goals to guide future growth and development in the three counties and 55 communities it serves. We are working diligently to comply with the statutory obligations of Act 181 which was passed into law June 2024. Act 181 overhauled Vermont's current planning framework and created land use categories that all regional planning commissions must use for mapping in their regional plans to coordinate state, regional and municipal land use. After approval by NVDA's Board of Directors, the updated Regional Plan will be submitted to the Land Use Review Board (LURB) for its approval by the end of 2026. Questions? Alison Low, Senior Planner alow@nvda.net.
Act 250 / Act 181 Public Comment on Proposed Guidelines for Road Construction Jurisdiction Beginning July 1, 2026, "...the construction of a road or roads and any associated driveways..." will trigger the need for an Act 250 permit. Some exceptions exist for the length of the road, see 10 V.S.A. and exceptions are provided for municipal, state, utility, farm, and forestry roads and driveways. Act 181 also provides that the Land Use Review Board (LURB) may adopt rules to help guide implementation. LURB has requested that the Legislature delay the effective date to allow for public outreach and consultation to develop guidance in rule making. Guidance under development is intended to help clarify exemptions, define what qualifies as pre-existing road, and give definition to the difference between a road and a driveway. Draft Road Construction Jurisdiction Guidance is available here. LURB is holding a 30-day public comment period on the document from Mar 30-Apr 30, 2026. Submit comments by U.S. mail to the VT Land Use Review Board, Attention: Comments on Draft Road Construction Jurisdiction Guidance Document," 10 Baldwin St., Montpelier, VT 05633-3201 or via email to Act250.Comments@vermont.gov. A finalized draft of the guidance document will be produced in early May for LURB to consider adopting. More information and future drafts will be posted here.
BEAVERS! Free Event in Hardwick, Apr 29th, 5:00-6:30 pm
Join a public conversation at the Jeudevine Library, and learn about beavers - a topic that connects across watershed health, habitat, and flood resilience. The presentation by Patti Smith, naturalist from Bonnyvale Environmental Center, and Skip Lisle, beaver expert and inventor of the patented Beaver Deceiver, is FREE. Light refreshments will be served.
Lyndon Community Expo Day, Apr 25th, 9:00 am-6:30 pm
Visit the Lyndon campus community and learn about academic offerings in outdoor education, atmospheric sciences, and the arts. Presentations will highlight hands-on experience from the University's programs including a weather balloon launch, a softball game and a theatre performance. Schedule of events Here.
Save the Date: May 8th, Vermont 2006 Walk/Bike Summit
The Vermont Walk/Bike Summit, held every other year in a different region of the state, is an opportunity to connect with Vermont's active transportation community. In partnership with the VT Agency of Transportation, the Bennington County Regional Commission will host the statewide summit on Friday, May 8th. The event will take place at the Bennington Theater, with classroom and mobile workshops throughout the day in downtown Bennington. Anyone interested in promoting bikeable and walkable communities (including bicycle and pedestrian advocates, planners, professionals, consultants, and enthusiasts) are welcome! https://vtwalkbikesummit.com/.
NEK Legislative Breakfasts
The NEK Chamber of Commerce in St. Johnsbury and the North Country Chamber of Commerce in Newport, present a Legislative Breakfast each month. Business leaders, local officials and residents come together with our NEK legislative representatives to discuss issues shaping Vermont and the region. It's a forum for respectful dialogue, civic engagement, and building stronger relationships between government and community. Coffee and refreshments are available. All are welcome. Upcoming Breakfast dates:
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St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 8:00-9:00 am, Apr 27th, May 18th
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Eastside Restaurant, Newport, 7:30-8:45 am, Apr 6th & Apr 20th, May 11th (The Newport events are in-person and on Zoom) Contact Daniel Pellerin for information vice-president@vtnorthcountry.org
VCDA Spring Conference, April 15th, 9:00 am-4:00 pm, The Pavilion in Montpelier
Communities across Vermont are working to build more housing, but how are they doing it? The Vermont Community Development Association's 2026 Conference will explore the avenues and resources available today to become housing-ready. More information Here
Center for an Agricultural Economy (CAE) Celebrating One Year at the Food Hub!
The Food Hub has become a critical piece of community infrastructure in Hardwick and has served multiple uses in its first year of operation as a shared-use business incubator. Since the Farm Connex and Community Connection moved into the facility, $13 million in local food as been distributed. Not only does the Hub provide physical space for local food businesses, it serves as an anchor for community collaboration. The Vermont Food Venture Center has commercial kitchen and storage space, and the Atkins Field Pavilion offers a vibrant gathering place for Hardwick's popular farmers market. CAE
Get Counted! Calling Food Organizations...
Organizations across New England are invited to Get Counted in the 2025 Local Food Count, a regional effort to measure how much food is sourced locally by schools, hospitals, dining services and other organizations. Data collection is open through Apr 30th and the information gathered will help identify current purchasing patterns and opportunities to expand local procurement. Take the survey!
Business Announcements
Owen Davie Manages the Day-to-day Operations of Do North Coworking
Do North Coworking, a hub for entrepreneur-focused programs in Lyndonville, is now officially under the management of NVDA. Owen Davie has been with Do North since 2021 and he has played an integral part in NVDA's partnership with Do North and VT State University. In addition to overseeing the cooperative workspace, Owen handles event production, programming, and collaborative initiatives that support entrepreneurs throughout the NEK. Learn more donorthcoworking.com and contact Owen with questions anytime: odavie@donorthcoworking.com
Become an EV Charging Site Host
The VT Agency of Transportation plans to issue a second Request for Proposals to expand the statewide network of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Federal funding will be awarded to pre-qualified providers to install EV charging equipment at locations that meet specific criteria. Find out the benefits for property owners who may be interested in becoming a "site host" for a public charging station at their location. Visit EV Site Host Overview and take the survey!
Business Workshop: How do I find funding for my small business? Apr 8th, 5:30-7:00 pm
This is the first in a series of free workshops sponsored by Discover St. Johnsbury. Panelists include Rick Daniels VtSBDC, Jackie Patridge Passumpsic Bank, Kory Cantin Union Bank, and Cathy Hayes Community National Bank. Learn more & Register
CCV HR Workshop Series
Community College of Vermont is offering three short workshops in April, focused on hiring and retaining employees in Vermont's tight labor market. The virtual sessions, from 12:00-12:30 pm, contain creative ideas and plans for action. Visit the website to Learn More & Register.
SBA Loan Programs for Vermont Manufacturers
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loan programs designed specifically for manufacturers. If your company is looking to grow, these programs could provide the capital needed to move forward. 7aMARC Program and 7a Working Capital Pilot Program provide flexible financing to help manufacturers increase liquidity, manage inventory, take on new contracts, and expand into new markets.
Apprenticeship Funding for Manufacturers
The VT Department of Labor and VT Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) are partnering to support Registered Apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing. Manufacturers can receive $3,500 per apprentice after completion of a 90-day probationary period. To learn more contact Sarah Knight sarah.knight@vermont.gov; Carla Wuthrich cwuthrich@vmec.org; Lisa Henderson lhenderson@vmec.org.
Leadership Skills for Mentors & Trainers, Mar 31-May 5, 2026
Businesses of all types are facing a struggle to retain talent, and every workplace relies on mentors who help new hires. Registered Apprenticeship programs directly influence retention and productivity. The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) in partnership with the VT Department of Labor, is offering a practical and accessible course designed for mentors and trainers. Five group sessions are offered from 12:30-3:00 pm. If you are looking for different dates, formats, or an in-person offering, contact VMEC's Carla Wuthrich. Learn more
Brownfield Remediation and Redevelopment
Redevelopment of existing buildings, especially those in downtown centers and industrial areas, are often complicated by the presence of unknown contaminants. Brownfield sites can pose a significant barrier to redevelopment, exposing potential environmental and health concerns. Since 2018, NVDA applied for and received four separate EPA Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grants and one Revolving Loan Fund Grant. The funding has supported assessment and remediation activities across the region at 37 sites comprising 42 unique parcels that include priority housing projects. Due to high demand, NVDA applied for and received an additional $1.2M in 2025. Phase 1 and 2 Site Assessments are currently being conducted in St. Johnsbury, Newport, Barton, Orleans, East Hardwick and Glover. We will continue to facilitate assessment and cleanup of underutilized properties to revitalize communities, generate new business opportunities, enhance recreational amenities, and address the housing crisis in our region. Questions? Dsnedeker@nvda.net
Vermont Tariff Resources & Task Force Website
The Agency of Commerce & Community Development has compiled key resources to help Vermont businesses respond to evolving tariff-related challenges on the federal level, evaluate potential impact, and focus on solutions. Vermont Tariff Resource Page.
NEK Collaborative & Kingdom Trails are Hiring Executive Directors
The NEK Collaborative is searching for an Executive Director to help shape a vibrant future for the region. Abby Long has been serving as Interim Director. Send resume and cover letter by Apr 3rd to alia@nekcollaborative.org. Kingdom Trails Association in East Burke is also calling for resumes as they seek to fill the full-time position of Executive Director. Visit the website and learn more KingdomTrails.org
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