What an incredible day exploring new pathways to affordable homeownership throughout @vermonts_northeast_kingdom !
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended the Mobile Home Infill Program (MHIP) Tours! The 50+ prospective homebuyers, community members, partners, employers, developers, and funders - your enthusiasm, questions, and support made this event a true success!
Together with @ruraledgevt , the Vermont State Housing Authority, and the State of Vermont, the @nekcollaborative was proud to showcase how MHIP is helping bring NEW, high-quality, energy-efficient, and affordable homes to our NEK communities.
This innovative program is creating real opportunities for Vermonters with affordable home prices, financial assistance, reduced mortgage rates, and more. Learn more at affordablehomes.vermont.gov
We are deeply grateful to everyone working to strengthen housing opportunities in our region. The momentum is real, and this is only the beginning! Thanks for capturing the moments 📸 @shaun_w_collins
This morning, the @nekcollaborative was grateful to attend the final legislative breakfast of the session hosted by @vtnorthcountrychamber at @grayslanding.vt East Side Restaurant.
The conversation reflected both the challenges and momentum shaping our region, from discussions around the repeal of Act 181 and the road rule, to continued investments in CTE education and the final push toward the close of the legislative session.
What made the morning especially meaningful was taking time to honor the people who have dedicated so much to @vermonts_northeast_kingdom . It was a privilege to celebrate Rep. Mike Marcotte for his 22 years of service representing the NEK in the Statehouse. We also heard from Rep. Larry Labor as he announced his retirement from the legislature.
Public service requires tremendous commitment, care, and perseverance, and we are deeply grateful for the leadership both Representatives have given to our region.
The @nekcollaborative attended the Vermont Trails and Greenway Council Annual Meeting, hosted right here in our Kingdom by Collaborative Board member, Maria Young, Executive Director of the beautiful @northwoodsvt Stewardship Center.
@vttrailsandgreenways advocates for resilient trails that support communities, conservation, and well-being. Outdoor recreation in Vermont, especially here in @vermonts_northeast_kingdom is so much more than fresh air and scenic views. It’s a vital thread connecting our social, cultural, ecological, and economic vitality.
A special moment of the day was recognizing the Collaborative’s @abigailannlong for her incredible 8 years of service on the VTGC board.
Here’s to the trails that bring us together and the people who make it all possible.
One of the many pieces in the housing puzzle, the MHIP (Mobile Home Infill Program) is bringing affordable, new, high-quality, energy-efficient homes to the NEK!
Join us this Wednesday, May 6 for tours + info sessions (come to one or all!):
📍 9:30 AM – St. Johnsbury River Bend, 135 Oak St. St. Johnsbury
📍 11:00 AM – Lyndon Maple Ridge, 62 Steve St. Lyndon
📍 2:00 PM – Coventry Nadeau Park, 34 Overlook Ln. Newport
📍 3:30 PM – Derby Shattuck Hill, 244 Shattuck Hill Rd, D-1. Derby
In response to recent flooding and ongoing housing challenges, MHIP is helping rebuild stronger, creating opportunities for neighbors to put down roots right here in our Kingdom!
Register for FREE with link in bio.
📣 Up to 40 NEW homes in the NEK!
Looking for an affordable path to homeownership? The Mobile Home Infill Program (MHIP) is opening doors, bringing high-efficiency, high-quality homes to communities across the Northeast Kingdom.
Join the NEK Collaborative, Rural Edge, Vermont State Housing Authority, Equal Housing Opportunity, and the State of Vermont for In-Person Tours + Info Sessions on May 6, 2026. Come to one or all!
📍 9:30 AM – St. Johnsbury River Bend, 135 Oak St. St. Johnsbury
📍 11:00 AM – Lyndon Maple Ridge, 62 Steve St. Lyndon
📍 2:00 PM – Coventry Nadeau Park, 34 Overlook Ln. Newport
📍 3:30 PM – Derby Shattuck Hill, 244 Shattuck Hill Rd, D-1. Derby
This is your chance to tour brand-new homes, learn about eligibility & the buying process, explore down payment assistance + reduced mortgage rates, plus discover real pathways to stable, attainable homeownership.
In response to recent flooding and ongoing housing challenges, MHIP is helping rebuild stronger, creating opportunities for neighbors to put down roots right here in the NEK!
👉Visit our website to register!
A Spring day at the Capital for the Vermont Community Development Association’s Conference was spent diving into all things HOUSING!
From “CHIP”-ing away at infrastructure to activating municipal housing committees. Learning new tools like 802Homes, VT Homes for All Toolkit, Community Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP), plus creative strategies to grow housing in ways that fit our communities.
The best part though was connecting with passionate folks from across Vermont who are all working toward the same goal: more homes, stronger communities, and a future that works for everyone.
This past weekend, the @nekcollaborative joined @nekorganizing for their annual convention, sharing in good food, meaningful connection, and even a little puppy love 🐾
Amid it all, there was powerful conversation about their path forward as NEKO’s work has evolved greatly since the 2023 and 2024 floods. We’re excited to support their Resilience Survival Projects Campaign, especially efforts to establish Flood & Resilience Hubs across @vermonts_northeast_kingdom . Building stronger, more connected communities for whatever may come our way. Thank you NEKO for leading the charge!
Sweet news from @vermonts_northeast_kingdom 🍁 as we’re in the sappy thick of sugaring season!
Maple syrup fuels our rural economy in the most delicious way. Vermont leads the nation as the #1 maple producer, and the NEK is tapping into that greatness!
From tree to table, maple connects agriculture and forestry, energizing our working landscape and local economy. Powered by innovative, hardworking sugar makers who lead with science and stewardship.
Maple isn’t just sweet, it’s the power behind our place!
Awesome day touring and learning about the Kingdom’s own Rygate Power Plant!
This wood-fired biomass facility turns what would otherwise be unused wood into energy, powering about 3% of Vermont’s electricity. Beyond the energy, it’s a big part of our local economy: supporting forestry jobs, employing local folks, and even giving back to farmers through wood ash used as fertilizer. Plus they’ve recently made massive investments to improve emissions and capture waste heat to boost efficiency.
A POWERFUL example of how innovation, sustainability, and economic impact can go hand in hand right here in the Kingdom!
Yesterday the @nekcollaborative , alongside other awesome NEKers and VTers, joined the Rural Caucus for their 2026 Listening Session at the Statehouse.
The Collaborative kicked it off by sharing the NEK’s Regional Priorities: Housing, Healthcare, Affordability, Climate Resilience, and Equitable Education.
We need policies that work FOR rural regions, developed WITH rural residents at the table.
As decisions are made this session, we asked: Please keep the Kingdom and our priorities at the forefront. We’re ready to be part of the solution.
