Overview
Vermont's rural communities face significant threats from climate change, aging infrastructure, outdated governance, population decline, and limited municipal capacity. These challenges are further exacerbated by a lack of cohesive support from state agencies and partner technical assistance (TA) providers. While TA support exists, anecdotal evidence from rural communities suggests significant room for improvement.
In 2024, recognizing the challenges faced by communities, the Vermont Legislature directed VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) to develop recommendations for enhancing technical assistance and resources for rural communities under Act 181. This mandate underscores the critical need to align and prioritize resources and technical assistance to ensure the long-term vitality of rural communities.
Municipal staff, volunteers, and elected officials need coordinated, robust, and sustained support to strengthen municipal operations and governance, capital planning and finance, civic engagement, and community resilience. The Vermont Evaluation of Rural Technical Assistance (VERTA) charts a path forward – advancing rural prosperity through capacity building, research and data collection, student and university engagement, and strategic coordination of state agency and rural technical assistance providers to leverage better outcomes.
VERTA will work closely with UVM, state agencies, and TA service providers to create actionable recommendations for an integrated approach to delivering rural technical assistance. This partnership among UVM, the State of Vermont, and TA service providers will co-develop new solutions and models of advancing rural development and resilience that retains and builds upon the rural town and village foundation that we risk losing.
The Challenges:
- Limited Capacity: Most rural communities lack the municipal capacity and resources necessary to meet complex state and federal mandates and requirements, and to recover from the escalating financial impacts of climate change.
- Aging and Absent Infrastructure: Outdated, insufficient, and absent infrastructure limit growth and quality of life. Rural communities cannot sustain themselves without new investment, support, and governance models.
- Economic Decline: Diminishing job opportunities, tight housing supply, loss of housing to floods, and shrinking populations, make attracting and retaining residents and businesses challenging - risking the viability of essential community gathering places like village stores, schools, churches, and post offices.
- Access to Resources: Lack of capacity and expertise to apply for and manage state and federal grants leaves these communities overlooked and underserved, exacerbating their struggles.
Project Overview Flyer: Contains a brief overview of project goals, steering committee members, and ways to stay involved.
Rural Caucus Presentation: Presented to the Rural Caucus to introduce the project, including the project timeline and outreach methods.