The Event
On Monday, the 24th of January, 2022, the Northeast Kngdom Collaborative hosted its fourth ever NEK Day at the State house. Senators, representatives, and over 150 registered attendees met to discuss the issues facing the kingdom today- as well as celebrate the Kingdom’s success stories from the past year.
U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, whose family has deep roots in the NEK, kicked off the event with a message of support for NEK Day attendees:
“I think most of you know how special the Northeast Kingdom is both to myself and to Marcelle. Like many Vermonters, we treasure the remarkable combination of natural beauty and tight-knit communities the Kingdom is celebrated for. The needs of the Kingdom communities are front and center in my work in washington. I strongly believe that enhancing life in rural Vermont is one of the keys to ensure our state has a real and vibrant future.”
This meeting- celebrations, presentations, and summations- was recorded, and is now available for public viewing, below.
Reflections
But for all its resilience and progress last year, the Kingdom remains disproportionately impacted by the social and economic disruption caused by the pandemic.
Kingdom citizens work some of the longest average hours for the lowest average incomes in Vermont. The housing market is among the most susceptible to out-of-state buyers pricing out essential workers. The lack of access to high-quality child care and mental health care across the region is stark.
Last year the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative (NEKC) unveiled the NEK Recovery Action Plan which outlines clear, actionable strategies to address community-identified priorities. This year, we advocated for five top priorities to be addressed by legislation: Housing, workforce development, child care, mental healthcare and Northern Vermont University.
After Sen. Leahy's address on Monday Tom Lovett, board chair for the NEKC, shared updates on the strategies in the plan. Among them were significant steps toward equitable access to broadband, housing, child care and higher education, as well as new programs to support small businesses and community development projects.
