Bikers enjoying a trail in Franconia, NH. (Photo by Joe Klementovich)

Attracting and Retaining Residents

It’s simple: The Northern Forest needs more residents if its communities are going to thrive.

Years of population decline – especially in the critical 25-45-year-old bracket – mean there aren’t enough people to sustain a workforce, care for elders, volunteer for town committees, invest in new enterprises, and keep kids in schools.

In response, the Center and partner communities are taking action to attract and retain young people and entrepreneurs to the region. The first step is to ensure that towns have the infrastructure and amenities to compete with other locations. Broadband is a must-have for many, especially for people who want to relocate and telecommute. Quality housing, access to outdoor recreation, and “third spaces” like cafes and bars are critical.

Jecinda Hughes and Josh Wilson of Origin Coffee in Saranac Lake, NY. (Ian MacLellan for Northern Forest Center)

After the ride reward. (Photo by Joe Klementovich)

Forward-thinking communities and entrepreneurs are making investments in all these areas. The Center is supplementing their efforts with a variety of strategies, partnerships, and tools to create the conditions needed to attract a new generation to the Northern Forest.

We work on both a broad scale – developing a strategy for Adirondack Park communities to attract new residents, for example – and in individual towns. Working deeply with focal communities allows us to test revitalization strategies that we can replicate and share more broadly later.

Our programs are built with recruiting new residents in mind while improving life for people who already live in the Northern Forest. Throughout our work, we engage diverse perspectives to generate creative solutions and help prepare the Northern Forest for a changing world.

North Country Calling

Videos to Attract Residents

Another way we promote the Northern Forest as a great place to live and to visit is by telling positive stories about the region. Our aim is to raise awareness of all that the region offers and encourage new people to visit the region or consider moving here.

The North Country Calling video series introduces six young professionals whose lives and livelihoods are connected to the forests of northern New Hampshire. Discover why they love working outdoors, living near forests, lakes and mountains, and being part of their North Country communities. North Country Calling is a collaboration of Northern Woodlands and the Northern Forest Center.

The Create Your Kingdom video series features three young people who call the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont home. Whether they moved from far away or moved back after years living elsewhere, they have chosen the Northeast Kingdom to create their careers. Explore the Kingdom through their eyes and see why they could not imagine living anywhere else. Create Your Kingdom was developed in partnership with the NEK Collaborative and the NEK Regional Marketing Partnership, and funded with support from a USDA Rural Business Development Grant.

Create Your Kingdom

Building Active Communities

Outdoor recreation is a major draw for new residents. Learn how the Center is supporting outdoor recreation opportunities across the region.

Learn More

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Staff Contacts

Leslie Karasin

Adirondack Program Director

Cell: 518-637-2962

Building Community Appeal