Montpelier, Vermont and the Northeast Kingdom

We recently returned from trip to Vermont for a Partners for Rural America meeting in Montpelier.  Montpelier is the smallest capitol city in US.  Vermont ranks second only to Maine in aging population.  As one woman put it, "the only thing growing in Vermont is the cemetery". They're trying to change that.

Being mostly rural the area has been economically depressed. Hardwick and the Northeast Kingdom, consisting of Essex, Orleans, and Caledonia counties are trying to change that by working together with banks and investors to develop businesses with employment to bring young people back to the communities.

The capitol building in Montpelier.

These men are working to put in piping for a boiler system to heat the government buildings.  It is hoped that it will eventually heat most of the buildings in the downtown area.

Older buildings and bridge over canal in downtown area of Montpelier.

This workman is putting a fresh coat of paint on the slats for park bench.

Reattaching slats to park bench in front of museum downtown.

Paul Costello was our host for this event and invited us to his home for food and fellowship.

Tom Stearns of High Mowing Seeds has developed one of the fastest growing and largest organic seed companies in US.

Andrew Kehler talks about making cheese and developing his company The Cellars at Jasper Hill.

Mateo Kehler explains the cheese cave used for aging cheese.

Each wheel of cheese is worth $700+.

Andrew Meyer on right has developed two businesses-one using whey to make wood coatings and the other to develop soy products. Paul Costello, our host, on left.

Notice the "Welcome to Hardwick" signs in town.

We had lunch at Claire's Restaurant.

Claire's Chef talks about preparing foods from farm to table.

Picturesque foot bridge across the street from Claires.

Pete from Pete's Greens welcomes us to his business and talks about growing vegetables as well as his business.

Mural above work area in vegetable prep area.

Washing spinach at Pete's Greens.

A small business is bottling soft drinks at the Innovation Center, a food production incubator.  There are several kitchens here for small businesses to use in preparing their product for sale.

This is the Newport Tasting Center where small businesses can sell their products.

Gateway Center in Newport where we had dinner catered by Frank Richardi of Lago Trattoria.

The meeting participants gather on Lake Memphremagog for a photo.