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Community Announcements
Senator Peter Welch Visited St. Johnsbury to Highlight Funding for NEK Broadband
During a stop at the St. Johnsbury Welcome Center, U.S. Senator Welch announced that over $93 million has been allocated to Vermont through the Broadband Equity Access & Deployment Program. The funding will help NEK Broadband complete the build-out of the region's fiber-optic network. The Senator noted the importance of high-quality broadband for the local economy and called the investment essential for the future of the NEK. Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEK Broadband, attended the event with many local officials.
Bear Den Partners & Smugglers' Notch Announce Partnership
The owners of Burke Mountain announced a collaborative ownership transition with Smugglers' Notch Resort located in Jeffersonville in Lamoille County. The partners share a family-focused identity with a commitment to their local communities. The Smugglers' Notch deal follows Bear Den's 2025 acquisition of Burke Mountain Resort where investments have already been made in snowmaking, base operations, guest amenities, infrastructure improvements, and technology. The partnership will strengthen year-round activities at both resorts, maintain local control, and preserve the cultural identity each has established over the years.
VTRANS Offers Research Lunch & Learn Webinars
The VT Agency of Transportation has planned a series of monthly webinars that will rotate between featuring VT AOT projects, and transportation research and innovation projects from other states. If you are interested in town highways, mileage and mapping, the March 9th presentation at 12:00 noon is a must! This first webinar will explore Town highway mileage, highway classification, and how mileage goes from the municipality into a formula for state aid funding allocated for town highways. Keep the following dates on your calendar for Research Lunch & Learn webinars at 12:00 pm each day: April 13th, May 4th, and June 1st.
Join the Mar 9th webinar Here
Local Historic Preservation Grant Awarded
The VT Division for Historic Preservation has awarded Historic Preservation Grants to three Northeast Kingdom rehabilitation projects. The funding will facilitate restoration work on important historic buildings and structures. In St. Johnsbury, the Merrill Octagon House and St. Andrew's Church each received $20,000 grants. The Old Stone House Museum in Brownington received $15,000. To qualify for these grants, the resource must be at least 50 years old and listed in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
Conservation 101 Training, Mar 10th, 10:00 am-3:00 pm, Poulin Grain, Derby
Orleans County Natural Resources Conservation District is hosting Conservation 101: Stewardship on Vermont Farms at the Poulin Grain Office, 3916 US 5, Derby. The one-day training will explore how conservation practices function on working farms, and how those practices strengthen soil health, protect water quality, reduce flood risk, and support communities beyond the farm gate. RSVP is required & lunch is provided. Questions? Rebekkah.Hochman@orleanscountynrcd.org
Downtown Lyndon Community Survey
Help shape the future of Downtown Lyndon and the Lyndon community. Your input will contribute to a community-focused strategic plan and Lyndon's application for Vermont Downtown Designation - a program that supports local revitalization efforts with state funding. Take the quick 10-minute SURVEY before Mar 6th.
Hardwick Infrastructure Project
Construction begins Feb 27th in Hardwick at the South Main Street retaining wall and pedestrian bridge site. Work on the major construction project is expected to continue into early summer. Traffic will be impacted and delays are expected. Questions? zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov
Regional Emergency Management Committee Meetings
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Orleans-Essex REMC: Mon, Mar 16th, 1:00 pm / Newport Fire Station
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Caledonia-Essex REMC: Wed, Mar 25th, 1:00 pm / Barnet Fire & Rescue Department
Meetings are in-person and via Zoom. Contact Molly Dockter mdockter@nvda.net for Zoom information.
NVDA 2026 Regional Plan in-progress
NVDA planners are putting finishing touches on NVDA's 2026 Regional Plan. We are working carefully to ensure the plan reflects the current and future realities of life, industry, and recreation in our beautiful corner of Vermont. Questions? alow@nvda.net
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, Mar 30th, Apr 27th, May 18th
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Eastside Restaurant, Newport, 7:30-8:45 am, Mar 16th, Apr 6th, Apr 20th, May 11th (The Newport events are in-person and on Zoom) Contact Daniel Pellerin for more information vice-president@vtnorthcountry.org
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
NVDA to Take Over Do North Coworking
Effective March 2026, Do North Coworking, a collaborative workspace and hub for entrepreneur-focused programs and events, is transitioning operational management from VT State University to NVDA. Under NVDA's management, Do North Coworking will assume responsibility for daily operations and strategic development, and expand programming across the region. Originally, Do North was established as an economic development initiative through the leadership of VTSU. For the past nine years, it has served as a gathering place for small businesses and startups, and offered hands-on-learning and entrepreneurial support. NVDA will honor the foundational work of VTSU and the individuals and partners who supported the startup. Do North is located at 930 Broad Street in Lyndonville. For more information visit donorthcoworking.com
Peak Pitch - Mar 10th, Sugarbush Resort, Warren
Peak Pitch 2026 will feature two NEK-based startups NEK Biosciences and Tuckerman Hill. The skiing, networking and fundraising event at Sugarbush, hosted by Fresh Tracks Capital, is Vermont's longest-running startup competition. The popular event pairs entrepreneurs with investors for chairlift "elevator pitches" during a day of skiing and riding. Supporting sponsors include the VT Dept of Economic Development. More information Here Registration is free.
CCV Workshop: Hiring & Retention Essentials for VT Employers, Mar 16th, 12:00 pm
This 30-minute virtual workshop will provide innovative hiring and retention tools for Vermont employers. Community College of Vermont is offering a series of workshops called Career Pathways Entry Program to support local businesses and help Vermonters gain long-term employment. Learn More & Register
Two NEK Businesses Receive Nationwide Attention and Awards!
Two NEK businesses are among Vermont's eight recipients of the 2025 Backing Small Businesses grant program. The nationwide initiative awarded grants to 400 small businesses across the country, helping them fuel growth and make a meaningful impact in their communities. Congratulations Front Seat Coffee in Hardwick and Whirligig Brewing in St. Johnsbury! Both stood out for their resilience, strong local impact, and vision for the future.
VT Food Venture Center in Hardwick Marks Fifteen Years
In 2011, when the VT Food Venture Center (VFVC) opened its doors in Hardwick, the craft and local food world experienced significant change. The shared-use food hub and business incubator offered state-of-the-art kitchens and equipment for food-focused businesses that produce an array of products from local growers, producers and artisans. The VFVC has strengthened value-added food businesses, supported job creation, and integrated the agricultural economy into the community and the state. NVDA played a significant role in making this multi purpose processing facility a reality. Former NVDA Executive Director Steve Patterson and Senior Planner Alison Low were instrumental, from start to finish, in securing state and federal funding for the development of the Venture Center. The positive economic impact from small and emerging businesses over the past fifteen years is notable. VT Food Venture Center
Business Workshop - Climate Ready VT, March 18th at the Fairbanks Museum
Climate Ready VT is a 1-day program to help small businesses adapt to climate change and prepare for climate-related business disruptions. Presented by VT Businesses for Social Responsibility and the Northern Forest Center. Participants will work with experts to create a Climate Resilience Action Plan. Learn more and register www.climatereadyvt.org
Leadership Skills for Mentors & Trainers: March 31-May 5, 2026, 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Businesses of all types are facing a struggle with retaining talent, and every workplace relies on mentors who help new hires. Registered Apprenticeship programs directly influence retention and productivity. The VT Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC), in partnership with the VT Department of Labor, is offering a practical and accessible five-session course designed for mentors and trainers. Learn more
Tax Credit Info Session for Downtown Property Owners & Businesses, April 1st
Property owners and businesses located in St. Johnsbury's Designated Downtown are invited to attend the tax credit info session at the Welcome Center, Apr 1st, 5:00 pm. Caitlin Corkins from the Agency of Commerce & Community Development will give an overview and answer questions. Eligible projects include historic preservation, code compliance, and facade improvement projects.
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 the potential impact, and focus on solutions. Vermont Tariff Resource Page.
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