As a Vermonter, David is proud of our rural culture and traditions. Our state is better for the small towns that encourage kindness, compassion, and community. We should celebrate our rural landscape and the opportunities found there. Together, we can make rural Vermont a place to which young families will want to move. To make this a reality for rural communities across Vermont, we must support infrastructure development so those living in small communities have employment opportunities nearby. These ideas should be locally driven and state-supported.

The working landscape economy and the opportunities available in this sector should be expanded. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative, signed into law in 2012, has recognized the importance of this economy and funded over 184 projects that have resulted in more than 500 sustainable jobs.  This program serves as a strong model for the benefits of investment in our forest products industry, including logging, construction and wood heating. In addition, we should explore the potential for financial remuneration for forest landowners through management of forests for carbon sequestration.

With respect to agriculture, Vermont is the most single-commodity-dependent state in the country. Dairy represents about 70% of our agriculture economy. We must explore innovative solutions to the economic stresses that many of these dairy farms are facing. In addition, while the transition to a diverse agricultural sector can be culturally challenging, it also offers great opportunity for resilience and as a way to keep our working lands productive to our rural communities. We must expand small-scale agricultural opportunities and help develop and work toward an agricultural economy that pays farmers and their employees a livable wage. We can do so while recognizing land stewardship by farmers and indigenous communities and look for ways to elevate women and minority groups who have historically not had the resources to own farms. 

To ensure those Vermonters who prefer a rural setting have employment opportunities nearby and transportation choices when they need to travel we must invest in infrastructure. We should improve broadband access to our smaller towns and communities. This will allow our creative citizens and entrepreneurs the opportunity to work where they live and attract more workers to rural areas. We must also continue to improve fuel efficiency for personal vehicles and the state fleet and  encourage alternatives to single-use vehicles (like trains, buses, bikes, carpooling) so that rural Vermonters will be able to travel more freely across the state. 

Improved transportation options also mean easier access for tourists who are a significant revenue generator in our state. We rely on tourist visits to support our travel and recreation industry as well as local shops, diners and attractions. An increase in transportation and, therefore, tourism means an increase in employment opportunities for Vermonters.

There is incredible opportunity in rural Vermont. We can lift up these areas, support their economy, their creativity, and their communities.

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