Welcome to the Northeast Kingdom!

The Northeast Kingdom is known for its pastoral landscapes, year-round fun and honest people.

 

NVDA serves the 55 municipalities in this northeastern corner of Vermont as the Regional Planning Commission. We assist with regional and municipal land use and Transportation Planning.

 

NVDA also serves the businesses in the Kingdom and encourages sustainable economic growth as the Regional Economic Development Corporation.

 

We encourage you to discover the rich traditions and natural wonders enjoyed in these three counties of Caledonia, Essex and Orleans.

 

 

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NEK Today and Tomorrow Summit - June 15th

NEK Today and Tomorrow:  A summit conference on managing change for the best future of the Northeast Kingdom:  Saturday, June 15th / 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM at Lake Region Union High School, Barton/Orleans, VT

 

Join your neighbors, regional and local organizations, municipal leaders, businesses, and state and federal officials in a dialogue on economic development, housing, education, tourism and the working landscape.  All are welcome!

 

This is a project of NVDA and the Vermont Council on Rural Development:  info@vtrural.org 

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Vermont Land Link

Vermont Land Link is now up! For many new and established farmers, simply finding available land is a huge challenge. On the other side of the equation, more and more private, public and organizational landowners want to make land available for farming. This free and user-friendly portal now makes those important connections possible. Many thanks to the Lamoille Economic Development Corporation, Land Link's featured underwriter, and to the Vermont Farmland Access Network and its supporting agencies for creating this much-needed resource! For more information, visit: www.vermontlandlink.org

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The NVDA Wind Study Committee

"The NVDA Wind Study Committee was formed in response to the NVDA Board of Directors July 2012 adoption of a resolution recommending a suspension of industrial-scale (height of 200 ft. or greater) wind turbines for a 3-year period for further study".

Committee members include: Jim Greenwood (Chair), Mark Whitworth, Farley Brown, Robert Croteau, and David Snedeker (NVDA staff). The Committee meets at the Barton Town Office approximately every three weeks. Please contact NVDA to check on upcoming meetings. Meeting minutes will be posted soon.

Meeting schedule:
2/20/13, 6:00pm Barton Town Office  Minutes
3/13/13, 6:00pm Barton Town Office  Minutes
4/03/13, 6:30pm Barton Town Office (guest: Dave Hallquist, VEC)  Minutes
4/24/13, 6:30pm Barton Town Office (guest: Billy Coster, ANR) Minutes

5/08/13, 6:30pm Barton Town Office (guest: Anne Margolis, PSD)

5/29/13, 6:30pm Barton Village Community Center(guest: John Soininen, Eolian)
 

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NVDA to Distribute e-mail Progress Reports

 

Since the major announcement in September 2012, of Bill Stenger and partners' NEK Economic Development Initiative, NVDA has received inquiries about the project's employment opportunities, infrastructure improvements, transportation issues, housing impacts, and timelines.  To connect and share information, NVDA will distribute e-mail Progress Reports containing information on the work-in-progress, links and contact information, status updates, and meeting announcements.  The first Report will be sent electronically in late March to a broad community audience of NEK residents, businesses, municipalities and stakeholders. To request copies, sign up for NVDA's Newletter or contact lhiggs@nvda.net    

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2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge - Sign up today!

Help your neighbors reduce their energy bills by participating in the 2013 Vermont Home Energy Challenge. Efficiency Vermont, in partnership with the VT Energy and Climate Action Network, is seeking local organizations to champion the Challenge in their communities by promoting public awareness about energy savings opportunities and setting a target to weatherize 3% of the homes in their town over the course of a year.  Towns will be able to measure their progress with other communities in the region.  At the end of the year, municipalities will be recognized and awarded for their efforts. Be sure your town participates!  Sign-up is easy!  Go to www.efficiencyvermont.com/homeenergychallenge or contact Paul Markowitz, Community Energy Program Manager,   (802) 540-7608 pmarkowitz@veic.org  

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Board Resolution: July 28, 2012

On July 28, 2012, the NVDA Board of Directors adopted a resolution recommending a suspension of new construction of industrial size wind turbines in excess of 200 ft. for a three-year period to allow for a thorough evaluation of the impacts of wind towers on the NEK. The resolution was based upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee.  Such an evaluation will be conducted by NVDA and include the following criteria (additional criteria may be added as determined by the Executive and Energy Committees):

 

1) The cost versus the benefit of industrial size wind turbines in the NEK.

2) What does objective data and science show concerning measurable health impacts? What does national and international research show?

3) Are transmission requirements being adequately addressed with these projects?

4) Do statutes, regulations and the review process provide ample environmental protections for the development of higher elevation ridgelines?

5) What is the impact of industrial wind turbines on property values and tourism in the NEK?

6) What impact do industrial wind turbines have on greenhouse gas emissions in the NEK?

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NVDA Launches New Website

NVDA is pleased to announce the launch of its new website! We hope that you find the site easy to navigate and loaded with information of importance to the communities and businesses in Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties. We'll keep you updated on planning, transportation, and economic development issues -- and we invite your suggestions and comments.

 

                                              Steve Patterson, Executive Director