The Center is an innovation and investment partner creating rural vibrancy by connecting people and economy to the forested landscape.
Center staff collaborate with people across the region to create bold possibilities that give rise to vibrant Northern Forest Communities and an economy that delivers purpose, innovation and widespread opportunity.
Our programs deliver results on three levels:
The Center implements programs and advances policies that connect economy, community and environment to accelerate inclusive prosperity. We create many of these programs in partnership with other organizations and coalitions, and they have an identity apart from that of the Center. Get to know the family of programs and networks that are key to achieving our mission.
The Center created the Automated Wood Heat marketing campaign with agency, nonprofit and business partners to increase demand for locally sourced wood pellets as a substitute for fossil fuels. Switching to Automated Wood Heat benefits the region’s economy and reduces our greenhouse gas impact.
The Center manages Bike Borderlands, a cooperative that is creating and promoting quality mountain biking experiences for visitors and residents while stewarding the natural landscape and securing economic benefits for Northern Forest communities. The collaborative spans 2 countries, 3 states and 9 destinations.
The Center coordinates the “getNEKedVT” campaign to promote tourism in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The campaign’s name is a play on region’s “NEK” nickname. It invites locals and visitors to explore NEK communities, landmarks, and adventures.
The initiative — a cooperative effort of the Center, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities, is investing $2.6 million to develop new markets for wood from the Northern Forest to support the region’s economy and help keep forests as forests.
Launched by the Center, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, and the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group in 2016, the Rural Development Innovation Group has helped change the way policy makers think about rural America by showcasing rural innovation and leadership and advising on public policy that affects rural communities.
The Center coordinates the Adirondack Community Recreation Alliance, which seeks to ensure that recreation planning in the region supports community vitality and economic development.
The Center coordinates the Maine West collaborative, a partnership of local and regional organizations dedicated to addressing systemic rural challenges and enhancing community well-being in western Maine through increased collaboration across the economic, education, health and conservation sectors.
The Center worked with the Maine Office of Tourism and partners in the Maine Woods Consortium to develop the Community Destination Academy, which helps areas with high potential to increase their appeal to visitors and secure related economic rewards. The Academy combines professionally led workshops and training with financial and technical assistance to help communities strengthen the amenities and services that attract visitors and new residents.
The Mahoosuc Way is an initiative to bring locals and visitors together to create a sustainable tourism destination in the Bethel – Mahoosuc area of western Maine. The initiative grew out of the Mahoosuc Region Community Destination Academy, a program presented by the Center and the Maine Office of Tourism. The Center is a participating organization in The Mahoosuc Way, which is managed by the Mahoosuc Sustainable Tourism Committee.
The Center coordinates the Maine Woods Consortium, a network of non-profit organizations, businesses, and government agencies dedicated to advancing a “triple bottom line” approach (economy, environment, community) to enhance human and environmental well-being in the Maine Woods region.
Through our work, we bring collaborative leadership, new ideas, program delivery, public and private investment, and public policy expertise to the task of renewing the pride, purpose and vitality of our communities.
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