PART I - OVERVIEW OF NORTHEAST KINGDOM’S REAP STRATEGIC PLAN.
A. History of Collaboration in the Northeast Kingdom
and the Northeast Kingdom Enterprise Collaborative.
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. Support
for the Collaborative has been provided by the Snelling Center for Government
through grants from the Ford Foundation and subsequently the United States Department
of Agriculture--Rural Development.
B. Mission Statement.
The Northeast Kingdom Enterprise Collaborative is committed to the economic
and social well being of the Northeast Kingdom and the highest possible quality
of life for its people and communities
C. Why the Northeast Kingdom was Invited to Become a REAP
Zone.
The Northeast Kingdom Enterprise Collaborative has been actively working with
Vermont’s Congressional Delegation to secure support for rural development
activities in the Northeast Kingdom. The Collaborative began a long range planning
process in March of 1999 when it hosted a visioning conference to articulate
what economic and community development in the Northeast Kingdom should be like
twenty years from now. (For a copy of visioning report, see the Collaborative’s
web site at www.nekcollaborative.org )
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.
D. REAP Plan Task Forces.
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,
to be submitted to Rural Development by May 15, 2000. To guide the plan, Task
Force committees were formed to look at Economic Development, Education, Healthcare,
Housing, Transportation, Recreation, Parks and Conservation, Community Leadership,
and Arts and Culture.
E. Public Input.
The REAP program is also very interested in public input, especially from low
income residents of the Northeast Kingdom. To adequately obtain public input
on the plan, three public forums were scheduled for the last week of March:
Additionally, Northeast Kingdom Community Action, working with Lyndon State College, mailed a comprehensive survey to 750 low income residents in the Northeast Kingdom to ascertain their views on the region’s economic and community development needs. A summary of survey findings is found in Part IV, and the low income survey is referenced throughout the “challenges” section of this plan. A focus forum for senior citizens was held at the Lyndonville meal site on April 12.
With this feedback, the Collaborative will complete the REAP plan and send it to USDA-RD by May 15, 2000. Northeast Kingdom Community Action will also hold a series of eleven focus forums around the region to further ascertain the views of the low income population and test the validity of the strategic approach put forward in this plan. The plan is a living document, and will be evaluated and refined by the Collaborative membership as appropriate.
F. Benefits of the REAP Process.
REAP designation will give the Northeast Kingdom special access to USDA Rural
Development programs for Business and Industry Loan Guarantees; Business Intermediary
Loan Funds; Rural Business Enterprise Grants; Grants, Loans, and Loan Guarantees
for Community Facilities; Rural Waste Water Treatment Grants and Loans; Rural
Rental Housing Loans, and Rural Housing Rehabilitation. REAP designation also
gives special preference for federal Enterprise Community and Empowerment Zone
programs.
The REAP planning process also marks the first time all three counties of the Northeast Kingdom are talking together specifically about economic development. The plan will be comprehensive, integrated and holistic in scope. The members of the Collaborative believe that the goal of enhancing our communities is reachable. When these groups share ideas and focus on common goals, their synergy helps maximize all their resources. The Enterprise Collaborative is also conducting extensive outreach to municipalities, businesses and our low income populations.
It is important to note the REAP plan is being developed by people who live and work in the Northeast Kingdom. We best know our unique challenges and the unique assets we have to meet those challenges. The plan will build our capacity to work together and jointly commit our resources to make good things happen. The plan will also help maintain the parts of our culture and environment that we care so much about.
G. Priorities for Implementation.
Virtually all of the strategies listed in this plan are dependent on the partners
who will implement projects related to the strategies. The projects are detailed
in a two year “work plan” which will be updated as needed. Prioritization
of projects in the work plan is based on the ability of partners to move the
project forward, which will in part be based on their ability to demonstrate
need for the project, and hence raise funds. However, by taking this strategic
look at the needs of the Northeast Kingdom and clearly articulating projects
and activities to address those needs, partners will also be able to coordinate
with other projects, improve their collaboration abilities, and in some cases
refine and modify their projects based on the good work that someone else is
doing.