Capital Connection for Washington County

09/04/2026

🎙Episode 2 of The Heart of Vermont Podcast is here!

We’ve been teasing our trip to Barre, and now you can finally hear the whole conversation.

Katie and Morgan sit down with Tracie Lewis of the Barre Partnership and community organizer Shawna Trader at the Barre Social Club to talk about Barre’s history, the Heritage Festival, the legendary fistfight that named the city, and what it really takes to find your place in a new community.

If you’re new to Washington County, thinking about making Vermont your home, or just curious about the community around you, give it a listen!

Find the link to Episode 2 on our blog:
montpelieralive.com/blog/finding-the-heart-of-barre

Barre Social Club
The Barre Partnership

09/03/2026

We’re at the Waitsfield Roundup Revival tonight, meeting new residents of Washington County and helping folks get connected with local resources, information, and community!

If you’re in the area, stop by and say hi. There’s food trucks, live music, and a whole lot of good community vibes. We’ll be here until 7 PM!

Come find us! 👋

08/31/2026

🧠 What does a neuroinclusive workplace actually look like? 🧠

Join Montpelier Alive and All Brains Belong VT for a free virtual workshop on neuroinclusive employment on Wednesday, September 9th from 9–10am.

One in five people learns, thinks, and/or communicates differently and small changes in how we hire, communicate, train, supervise, and structure our workplaces can make a big difference.

Dr. Mel Houser of All Brains Belong VT will lead this practical, introductory session and share actionable steps organizations can take to become more accessible and neuroinclusive.

Business owners, employees, nonprofit teams, community members, and curious learners are all welcome.

Virtual via Zoom
Wednesday, September 9 | 9–10 AM
FREE

Register: allbrainsbelong.org/montpelier-alive

Presented through Montpelier Alive's Capital Connection for Washington County program.

08/27/2026

Did you know Capital Connection for Washington County has a podcast?

It’s one of the ways we’re helping prospective and new residents get to know the people, places, stories, and community that make Washington County feel like home.

Episode 2 is on the way! Katie and Morgan recently ventured to the Barre Social Club to chat with Tracie Lewis, Executive Director of the Barre Partnership, and Shawna Trader, manager of the Montpelier Farmers Market, community organizer, and author. We talked about the Barre Heritage Festival, the fistfight that named Barre, and what advice they’d give someone who’s new to the area and looking to find their place in the community.

We had our kids in tow for this one, too which meant squeezing in some granite sculpture exploring and, naturally, a stop at the Kitty Korner Café. 🐈

We’re still putting the finishing touches on Episode 2, but you can catch up on Episode 1 now while you wait. 🎧

creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/HeartofVermont

Barre Social Club The Barre Partnership

08/17/2026

Some encouraging housing news from Vermont!

A new 30-unit affordable housing community just opened in Rutland, creating more homes close to downtown and giving us another reason to feel hopeful about the future of housing across the state.

We know finding a place to call home can be one of the biggest questions when you’re thinking about a move to Vermont. While there’s still plenty of work to do, communities and housing partners across the state are finding ways to build new homes, preserve the ones we already have, and make future projects easier to move forward.

And that’s good news for Central Vermont, too. 💚

Here in Washington County, we’re excited to see the momentum around creating more places for people to put down roots, find community, and build a life in Vermont.

There’s more work ahead but there are also more reasons to be hopeful. 🌱

Read the full story from VTDigger: vtdigger.org/2026/08/07/new-affordable-multi-family-housing-opens-in-rutland/

Story and photo by Greta Solsaa

08/13/2026

There’s a lot of art to explore around Washington County.

From historic buildings turned exhibition spaces to downtown galleries and artist-run studios, the region has plenty of ways to see what Vermont artists are making right now.

A few places and exhibitions to keep on your radar:

Art at the Kent — Calais
*Throughlines* brings together work by 20 contemporary Vermont artists from September 11–October 11, with exhibitions throughout the historic Kents’ Corner State Historic Site. The month also includes artist talks, demonstrations, readings, and other events.
kentscorner.org

Studio Place Arts — Barre
Current exhibitions include *All Aboard*, *Unwanted Gifts*, *Square Roots*, and *Abstractions*, on view through August 14. Coming September 9: *Rock Solid*, the annual stone sculpture exhibition, plus three additional gallery shows.
studioplacearts.com

Green Mountain Photo Show — Waitsfield
The 36th annual exhibition runs September 13–October 11 at the Red Barn Galleries at Lareau Farm, featuring photography ranging from Vermont landscapes and wildlife to abstract and experimental work.
vermontartscouncil.org/event/36th-annual-green-mountain-photo-show/2026-10-11/

New to the area or looking to see more of what’s happening locally? These are a few good places to start.

08/10/2026

Got plans for tomorrow? Add lunch to the list. ☀️

Older Vermonters are invited to a free summer celebration at Barre’s Old Labor Hall, with good food, live music, and a chance to spend a couple of hours with friends and neighbors.

Tuesday, August 11th from 12–2pm
Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite St, Barre

Whether you’re new to Vermont or have been here for years, it’s always nice to have an excuse to get out, grab a meal, listen to some music, and meet a few new people along the way.

The event is hosted by the Senate Office of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as part of a series of summer gatherings for older Vermonters around the state.

RSVP at sanders.senate.gov/events
or call 802-862-0697 or 800-339-9834.

08/03/2026

Looking for a place where your weekends are anything but ordinary? Central Vermont is packed with opportunities to connect and explore, and we have the rest of the weekends in August sorted for you:

August 7th–9th | TEN FEST 2026 at Lost Nation Theater (Montpelier)
Experience ten original short plays by Vermont playwrights, brought to life by local actors in one unforgettable weekend.
lostnationtheater.org/vpc-tenfest-2026

August 15th–16th |Queer Arts Festival (Barre)
Browse 90+ artists and food vendors, catch live performances, join workshops, enjoy nature walks, and more in one of Vermont's most beautiful outdoor settings.
linktr.ee/vtqueercrafts

August 29th |Jam for the Parks at Waterbury Center State Park
Spend the day listening to live music while supporting Vermont State Parks. Bring a blanket, gather your friends, and enjoy one of the best ways to experience late summer in Vermont.
stowecider.com/fulleventslist/2026/3/24/jam-for-the-parks-2026

Moving here isn't just about finding a home; it's about finding a community. From local theater and inclusive arts festivals to outdoor concerts in our state parks, Central Vermont offers the kind of vibrant, creative lifestyle that's easy to be part of. Learn more about Capital Connection for Washington County on our website: MontpelierAlive.com/CapitalConnection

Know a new resident to Vermont or someone thinking of moving here? Tag them below! 👇

07/29/2026

Thinking About Moving to Vermont? Getting Around Just Got Easier.

One of the biggest questions people ask when considering a move to Vermont is, "How will I stay connected?"

This summer, Tri-Valley Transit became Washington County's new public transportation provider, bringing a rural-first approach designed to better serve the needs of Vermont's small towns and villages.

For new residents, that's one more reason to feel confident about making Central Vermont home. Reliable public transit helps connect communities to downtowns like Montpelier and Barre, making it easier to access work, healthcare, shopping, restaurants, events, and everything that makes this region such a great place to live.

It's another reminder that life in Central Vermont offers the best of both worlds: the charm and beauty of rural living with the connections that make everyday life easier.

Thinking about relocating? Capital Connection is here to help you discover what makes Central Vermont feel like home.

Read more on our blog and visit the Capital Connection webpage to learn more about the program!

montpelieralive.com/blog/improved-rural-transit

montpelieralive.com/capitalconnection


Tri-Valley Transit

07/20/2026

Know someone who's always wanted to throw a neighborhood block party? Maybe that someone is you?

Capital Connection is excited to launch the Block Party Grant Program, offering $200–$500 grants to help neighbors bring people together across Washington County.

Whether it's a neighborhood cookout, potluck, porch gathering, welcome event, or another community celebration, we want to help make it happen. Strong communities start with strong connections and sometimes all it takes is an invitation.

📅 Applications open TODAY, July 20th, and close Monday, August 3rd.
🏡 Open to individuals, neighborhood groups, and community organizations throughout Washington County.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/75SWzG3qFiXFhdYp7

Let's build stronger communities, one neighborhood party at a time.

Capital Connection is a program under Montpelier Alive that connects those interested in relocating to Washington County, Vermont to information, resources and the general community.

Let us connect you to Vermont's Capital region!