Local News

From Recovery to Renewal and Resilience

Virtual forum held Aug. 27 in Rutland

The coronavirus pandemic has hit Vermonters and their communities hard. As the summer brings re-openings and a partial restart of the economy, coming together to discuss strategies that accelerate recovery and build ongoing resilience is vital.

The Local Solutions and Community Action Team established by Gov. Phil Scott invites you to join a virtual forum, Aug. 27 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

This is one of 14 forums being held across the state, in every county.

Ed Bove, executive director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission said, “Similar to the core values of the RRPC, the Local Support and Community Action Team’s Rutland County Covid-19 Recovery Forum will provide a resource for towns and businesses, a platform for ideas, and inspire a vision for the future.”

Rutland County Covid-19 Recovery Forum agenda:

6:30 p.m. – Opening Session

6:40 p.m. – Breakouts

Business Support, Workforce Development & Telecommunications

Education & Child Care

Building Community Unity & Addressing Racial Inequities

Housing & Homelessness

8:10 p.m. – Closing Session

The Action Team was convened in mid-April as part of the task force and charged by Governor Scott with identifying and sharing regional and community recovery initiatives and uncovering gaps in recovery efforts to ensure equitable distribution of resources, especially in rural areas and underserved populations.

Recovery visiting teams of federal, state, regional, non-profit, and business leaders and experts will attend each forum to share recovery strategies from across the state.

The recovery visit forums are being coordinated and facilitated by the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD), in partnership with local and regional partners. VCRD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the advancement of Vermont communities. In the past 20 years, VCRD has worked with over 75 communities to bring residents together to share ideas and move toward common solutions.

Paul Costello, executive director of VCRD and action team leader, said, “We all have a part and a responsibility in answering the pandemic and working toward economic recovery, and we know that creative solutions are being developed by local leaders throughout the state. The county forums are a starting point to share best practices, consider further needs, connect to resources, and gather ideas from each region to ensure that we are moving forward together…together we are VT strong.”

The forum for Windsor County will be held Oct. 8 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

All are welcome and encouraged to join the forums. To register visit vtrural.org/recovery. For more information contact info@vtrural.org or call 802-223-6091.

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