The region has a long history of independence and public and private sector cooperation, but the area still lacks some basic utilities and infrastructure that would make it attractive for a 21^st-century workforce. The region’s absence of adequate workforce skills development, general educational opportunities, reliable social services, and resources to promote financial stability has led to intergenerational poverty. This does not allow citizens to prosper and does not attract future workforce talent and residents who see the region as a long-term home.

• Compile data on regional access to broadband, housing, food security, child care, and employment
• Assess the current gaps in resources of each community and design community listening campaigns with different stakeholders to understand residents’ priorities
• Use the Johnsbury Hub – which was originally established to promote financial stability in the region – to help community members access employment, leadership, and workforce skills development to build professional connections and resources for financial stability
• Design, implement, and evaluate a variety of community engagement methods to determine what works best for developing the diverse leadership the region needs

Provide the region’s residents better access to resources, such as job training, public benefits, and educational opportunities. Increase social capital through targeted events. Build a replicable community hub model for reducing poverty in more regional communities.

• NEK Collaborative
• NEK Community Action
• NEK Organizing
• St. Johnsbury Community Hub
• Umbrella
• Vermont Agency of Human Services
• Vermont Department of Labor