About Us

The Northeast Kingdom Enterprise Collaborative was formed in 1996 to find ways to collaborate on economic development and community development issues in Orleans, Essex and Caledonia Counties of Vermont, an area known as the Northeast Kingdom. Members include regional development organizations, educators, social service and employment agencies, local government officials, business people, nonprofit organizations, health care providers and conservation organizations.

REAP Designation

In November of 1999, United States Senator Patrick Leahy’s office identified an opportunity within USDA–Rural Development to have the Northeast Kingdom apply for Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) designation. REAP designation requires creation of a comprehensive, long term economic and community development plan. In return, designated REAP areas receive special access to Rural Development and other federal funding opportunities. At a meeting in December, 1999, the Northeast Kingdom Enterprise Collaborative decided to pursue REAP designation. To do so, the Collaborative committed to developing a comprehensive, long term economic and community development plan. On November 9, 2000, Senator Patrick Leahy informed the Collaborative that its REAP designation has been approved.

Strategic Plan

The first strategic plan was developed in 2000. Details are described on our original site. In the Fall of 2008, the Board began a process to re-do the plan. From late 2008 to early 2010 nearly a dozen forums were held on a variety of topics to gather information on the concerns and priorities for each of the topics. On Saturday, March 13, we held a Summit at Lyndon State College to pull the information gathered from all these sessions into a single plan, to identify action steps needed to address the highest priorities, and to identify what organizations and people are willing and able to take the necessary actions. A week later, we’ve compiled the notes from that session, and will meet as a board to come up with a document that includes input from the Summit. Stay tuned.