NEK Collaborative

NEK Collaborative Building strong, vibrant communities in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.

Yesterday, the NEK Collaborative joined our Essex County neighbors for Senator Peter Welch's Common Grounds listening se...
08/26/2026

Yesterday, the NEK Collaborative joined our Essex County neighbors for Senator Peter Welch's Common Grounds listening session in Island Pond where folks shared what their rural communities are facing and why it matters.

The conversation touched on tariffs, our relationship with Canada, healthcare costs and its connection to our education system, the strain on Island Pond’s meal site, and the drastic changes facing our forest economy.

It was a great turnout with honest conversation. The NEK Collaborative looks forward to diving deeper into some of these priorities at our annual NEK Together conference which will be right here in Island Pond November 4th!

Register before the price increase next Tuesday: https://www.nekcollaborative.org/nektogether

Yesterday, WCAX-TV came up to Burke to talk with the NEK Collaborative's Executive Director Abigail Long about the closu...
08/21/2026

Yesterday, WCAX-TV came up to Burke to talk with the NEK Collaborative's Executive Director Abigail Long about the closure of the Finch Paper mill in NY and the impact to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom forest economy.

Yes, it’s a major loss for the NEK’s low-grade wood markets as well as to the private landowners, loggers, foresters, truckers, and forest products businesses. Yet this disruption can also create opportunity for innovative, diverse and more regional markets. Like sending wood chips to Ryegate’s power plant creating base load electricity for the NEK's grid or expanding advanced wood-heating systems like those at Burke Town School, The St. Johnsbury School, and North Country Hospital (where they also cool with pellets, using renewable energy year round).

A strong forest economy needs investment and creative solutions that support our rural communities.

Watch full interview 🔗 https://www.wcax.com/2026/08/20/vt-officials-seek-fix-forest-industry-after-new-york-mill-closure/

Happy National Nonprofit Day! An opportunity to recognize that nonprofits are far more than charitable organizations. Th...
08/17/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day!

An opportunity to recognize that nonprofits are far more than charitable organizations. They are community builders, problem solvers, employers, advocates, educators and trusted partners. They respond to immediate needs while also planning for the future. Here in the Northeast Kingdom, nonprofits are not only supporting collaboration but strengthening our working lands; encouraging entrepreneurs; creating housing opportunities; expanding access to healthcare; uplifting our arts, culture and recreation; and responding when disasters strike. Time and again, they are among the first to step forward and the last to leave. Read the NEK Collaborative's full op-ed at VTDigger: https://bit.ly/3U0QO3i

Thanks CommonGoodVT.org for leading the celebration as we recognize not only the organizations serving our communities, but also the staff, volunteers, board members, partners and neighbors whose dedication makes this work possible. The challenges facing rural Vermont are too great for any one organization or person to solve alone. But together we are building a more resilient and vibrant Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

Join in at the annual NEK Together conference, Nov 4th in Island Pond! Register: https://www.nekcollaborative.org/nektogether

The recent closure of Finch Paper’s pulp mill in Glens Falls, NY, has created significant uncertainty for Vermont’s fore...
08/11/2026

The recent closure of Finch Paper’s pulp mill in Glens Falls, NY, has created significant uncertainty for Vermont’s forest industry and for the landowners and workforce that rely on low-grade wood markets, a vital part of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom economy. As the industry navigates this change, a strong and resilient forest economy remains essential to our working lands, NEK communities, and long-term forest stewardship. NEK Collaborative was proud to be a signatory alongside partners on a recent op-ed statement about the impacts.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3UrciWW about why this closure matters to EVERYONE who cares about resilient forests, communities, and climate and how it could also create an opportunity to invest in the future of our forests and economy. Plus resources from Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation

Northern Forest Center PLC of the Northeast - Professional Loggers Vermont Woodlands Association Audubon Vermont Vermont Forest Products Association Vermont Land Trust The Nature Conservancy in Vermont Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC)

Today, the NEK Collaborative was honored to join The Vermont Women's Fund, the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer Mik...
07/29/2026

Today, the NEK Collaborative was honored to join The Vermont Women's Fund, the Office of the Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, NEKCA - Northeast Kingdom Community Action, and other partners to celebrate the building of the First Steps Forward pilot right here in The NEK

The event also debuted the Women’s Fund’s Women, Work, & Wages 2026 Report, offering important insights into the challenges facing Vermont women and families. Reinforcing why bold, family-centered investments matter.

First Steps Forward recognizes that while income helps families meet today’s needs, wealth creates long-term opportunity. By helping children born into low-income households build assets from birth, the program works to reduce wealth inequality and create pathways to homeownership, education, and entrepreneurship.

Through Baby Bonds, mental health support, and essential family resources like diapers, it’s investing in stronger families, stronger communities, and eventually a more vibrant Vermont.

🔗 vermonttreasurer.gov/economic-empowerment-division/vermont-baby-bonds

🔗 vermontwomensfund.org/news/vermont-work-and-wages-2026-report

NEK Together is on the horizon and registration is open! Join us in Island Pond on November 4th for this annual gatherin...
07/23/2026

NEK Together is on the horizon and registration is open! Join us in Island Pond on November 4th for this annual gathering🎉

Register today for early bird pricing:

$35 | July 1 - August 31
$45 | September 1 - October 31
$55 | November 1 - Day of Registration

More information to come! Visit our website to register and stay in the loop👉 https://www.nekcollaborative.org/nektogether

Join the Vermont Community Foundation’s Vermont Women's Fund and the Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak at Burke Mount...
07/21/2026

Join the Vermont Community Foundation’s Vermont Women's Fund and the Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak at Burke Mountain to celebrate the First Steps Forward pilot program and collective work strengthening Vermont families.

The event will highlight the NEK Baby Bonds pilot program, celebrate the important work of Northeast kingdom Community Action, Inc., and share insights from the new Women, Work, & Wages Report.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 29th

📍 Burke Mountain Resort

⏰10:00 - 12:00 PM ET

Registration is FREE. Visit: https://pro.gofundme.com/event/the-first-step-pilot-program-summer-gathering/e808564

🎧 Start your week with a conversation worth listening to! The NEK Collaborative’s Executive Director, Abigail Long, rece...
07/13/2026

🎧 Start your week with a conversation worth listening to!

The NEK Collaborative’s Executive Director, Abigail Long, recently joined The Montpelier Happy Hour podcast with Olga Peters for a chat about what it really takes to build regional collaboration.

✨ Regional Collaboration: A Practice of Building Trust with Abby Long

From bringing together partners across Vermont's Northeast Kingdom's three counties to determining regional priorities or creating shared solutions for housing, Abby shares why trust, relationships, and a shared vision are at the heart of meaningful regional progress.

🎙️ Give it a listen: https://themontpelierhappyhour.captivate.fm/

Today, July 10, we remember the challenges, the losses, and the incredible resilience that emerged as neighbors showed u...
07/10/2026

Today, July 10, we remember the challenges, the losses, and the incredible resilience that emerged as neighbors showed up for one another through three years of devastating flooding events.

The work isn’t over.

The Kingdom United Resilience & Recovery, the NEK’s long-term disaster recovery group, and Northeast Kingdom Organizing continue to work alongside flood survivors, helping families and communities recover while also preparing for whatever comes next.

Looking ahead is just as important as rebuilding. Consider signing up to volunteer with KuRRve kurrve.org/volunteer/

Plus check out NEKO’s Resilience Hub Toolkit resiliencetoolkit.org/

Together, we recover AND build a stronger Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

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