Rural Community Economic Development

Cooperative Cleaning Business. July - September 2000. YWA defined a business concept and conducted preliminary research for a cooperative cleaning business that used non-toxic products and techniques. Contact Don Jamison, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, 33 Main Street, PO Box 546, Burlington, VT 05402, (802) 861-6611.

Wooden Windows Restoration Project. November 1999 - January 2000. YWA assisted in developing cooperative methods for low income people to estimate the demand for a cooperative specializing in the restoration and maintenance of wooden windows. YWA analyzed secondary data, conducted key informant interviews, and used census data. Contact Don Jamison, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, 33 Main Street, PO Box 546, Burlington, VT 05402, (802) 861-6611.

Northern Community Investment Corporation Call Center . January - May 1998. YWA worked with the Northern Community Investment Corporation and the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund to identify opportunities for establishing a telecommunications call center employing welfare-to-work individuals in Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. YWA assessed the market demand for call center services, sampling a core group of Vermont-based direct market firms, chambers of commerce, colleges, banks, cable television firms, real estate firms, financial service providers and insurance firms. The project resulted in preliminary estimates of the capital investment needed for start-up, and operating costs for the call center. Contact Paul Denton, Northern Community Investment Corporation, 347 Portland Street, PO Box 904, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, (802) 748-5101.

You were able to take an idea and define it. Then when conditions changed and new information developed you were able to adapt mid-project.
- Wayne Fawbush,Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund

As you know we wanted to pick up on your work to do the business plan ourselves because of limited budget. We were able to do this without much back-and-forth between us because of the clarity and sharp focus of your study. It was a pleasure working with you.
-Paul Denton, Northern Community Investment Corporation

Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce. September 1995 - November 2003. YWA worked with the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce to identify seven key sectors – Industry, Tourism, Real Estate, Cultural Affairs, Retail, Financial and Professional Services, and International Border Businesses – of Clinton County which are impacted economically by its proximity to, and relationships with, Canada. YWA developed methods for primary data collection to measure impacts in each sector and has conducted this study every two years since 1994. The 2000 study saw the addition of the Health Care Sector. Contact Garry Douglas, Executive Director, Plattsburgh and North Country Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 310, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, (518) 563-1000.

The [original] report has been nothing less than a clarion call to all public and private decision makers ...and is sure to impact many future decisions and policies. The [original] report is already proving to be an effective marketing tool to Canadian companies and investors. Thank you again for your diligent, considered, informed and professional role in making this study such a quality, credible product.
- Garry Douglas, Executive Director, Plattsburgh-North

Country Chamber of Commerce

Island Pond Woodworkers Alliance. September 2001 - February 2002. This project consisted of two phases, the first identifed a mix of possible products that the former Ethan Allen employee group would be able to produce given their skills, and knowledge base, opportunities for additional training, and an array of business/marketing strategies for each product group. Phase two produced a model for a profitable business. The Island Pond Woodworkers were able to break ground on their own factory, having multiple orders in hand. YWA teamed with Zeltsman Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in small business management, and, Kokkinis & Associates, a financial advisory firm based in New York City , whose primary focus is restructuring trouble manufacturing firms. Contact: Don Jamison, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, 33 Main Street, PO Box 546, Burlington, VT 05402, (802) 861-6611.

Vermont Forum on Sprawl. May - August 2001. YWA researched and developed the content for a Vermont Forum on Sprawl publication, Community Investments in Smart Growth – A Decision-Maker’s Guide, on municipal investing for smart growth. Research included “smart growth” approaches to investments in public infrastructure, including mobility and roads, sewer and water lines, building location, downtown and village centers, and open space. The work identified tools, models, and resources available to Vermont towns and incorporated Vermont examples of “smart growth” development. Contact: Beth Humstone, Executive Director, Vermont Forum on Sprawl, 110 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05401, (802) 864-6310.

Lake Champlain Byways. February - September 1999. YWA provided an inventory and assessment of hiking and walking resources in the Lake Champlain Basin . The work was undertaken as part of a bi-state Lake Champlain Byways Management Plan, and produced a database and maps with centralized information on hiking and walking resources in shoreline towns in the Lake Champlain Region. A brochure was developed for public distribution. The Lake Champlain Byways project was a collaborative effort between three New York Planning offices (Clinton, Essex and Washington), four Vermont Regional Planning Commissions (Northwest, Chittenden, Addison and Rutland ), the Adirondack North Country Association, the New York Department of Transportation, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Contact Janet Kennedy, Lake Champlain Byways, 814 Bridge Street, Crown Point, NY 12928, (518) 597-9660.

Upper Androscoggin River Valley Sustainable Tourism Study. June - October 1996. YWA worked with the Appalachian Mountain Club in cooperation with Land Futures and NordicGroup International to assess the actual and potential contribution of the forestry and tourism industries, and alternative financing mechanisms for small businesses, in the economy of the Upper Androscoggin River Valley in New Hampshire and Maine . The project proposed innovative approaches for outdoor/recreational tourism development based on sustainable use of the forest resources of the area. Contact John Frado, Nordic Group International, 259 Bolton Road, Winchester, NH 03470, (603) 239-4181, or, Marcel Polak, Androscoggin Watershed Council, 113 Main Street, Gorham, NH 03581.

Moriah Neighborhood Based Alliance and Economic Development Zone. May - July 1995. YWA worked with the Neighborhood Based Alliance and the Economic Development Zone in Moriah, New York to provide assistance in community economic development. Tasks included a survey of retail spending by high school and resident consumers, and business practices of local businesses. The study included analysis of best practices in elementary education for healthy life styles, use of public access television to improve dissemination of information in the community, and waterfront revitalization for industrial waterfronts. Contact Marcy Neville, Coordinator, Moriah Economic Development Zone, 14 Park Place, Port Henry, NY 12974, (518) 546-3606.

Your understanding of the hurdles to be jumped, enthusiasm for determining the best solutions, and ability to define workable strategies were enormously helpful to us. Survey results are well-thumbed and talked about; are and will be very useful to the business community.
-Marcy Neville, Coordinator,

Moriah Economic Development Zone

   Rural Women's Health Needs. September 1993 – March 1994. YWA worked with the
   Women's Studies Program and the University of Vermont to assess potential impacts on women of
   health policy proposals initiated by the Vermont Health Care Authority. Analysis included the areas of
   coverage, cost, access, outcomes and social factors affecting women's health.

Proposal for Snowmobile Industry Research and Development. March - September 1992. YWA prepared a successful proposal to the Regional Economic Development Strategy Council of Northern New York on behalf of the Development Authority of the North Country to study the potential for further development of the snowmobile industry in Lewis County, New York and surrounding counties. Research included the status of the industry and defined key issues requiring further research. Contact Robert Juravich, Development Authority of the North Country, Dulles State Office Building, 317 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601, (315) 785-2593.

Plainfield: Rural Character in Transition. November 1985 - February 1986. YWA prepared a socio-economic study of the Town of Plainfield, Vermont, including detailed assessment of the impact of a proposed highway bypass, village revitalization, and agricultural assessment. The work also included a fiscal impact study of land use patterns. The study led to formation of the Plainfield Revitalization Committee and increased activity on the part of the Town Planning Committee. Contact Avram Patt, Town of Plainfield, West Hill Road, Worcester, VT 05682, (802) 479-1071.

Lake Champlain Byways. Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. provided an inventory and assessment of hiking and walking resources in the Lake Champlain Basin. The work was undertaken as part of a bi-state Lake Champlain Byways Management Plan, and produced a database and maps with centralized information on hiking and walking resources in shoreline towns in the Lake Champlain Region. A brochure was developed for public distribution. The Lake Champlain Byways project was a collaborative effort between three New York Planning offices (Clinton, Essex and Washington), four Vermont Regional Planning Commissions (Northwest, Chittenden, Addison and Rutland), the Adirondack North Country Association, the New York Department of Transportation, and the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Contact Janet Kennedy, Lake Champlain Byways, 814 Bridge Street, Crown Point, NY 12928, (518) 597-9660

Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund. February 1999 - January 2000. YWA designed a unique evaluation tool to use with the 23 business groups who received assistance within VSJF’s first two years of operation. The first function of the tool assesses the development and status of networks between groups of businesses and their suppliers, employees, product developers, markets, technical assistants, and financiers. The second function then examines relationships between network building and outcomes in terms of improvements in job quality, the environment, and the connections between businesses and communities. Contact Wayne Fawbush, Director, Vermont Sustainable Job Funds, 61 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602, (802) 828-5320.

Workshop on Rural Community Economic Development. December 1989. YWA prepared and co-presented, with the North Country Economic Research Center of Potsdam College, a two-day workshop on rural community economic development to leaders in the Town of Schroon Lake, New York. Day One of the workshop included developing a collective vision for the future of Schroon Lake using a variety of group and individual activities, and an introduction to economic development theory for rural communities as it applies to Schroon Lake . Day Two included presentation of community case studies representing three types of development strategies, as well as discussion of organizing for action and resources available to support community action. The workshop was designed for replication in other rural communities. Contact Kent Gardner, Director of Economic Analysis Gleason Center for State Policy, Center For Governmental Research, Inc, 37 South Washington Street, Rochester, NY 14608, (585) 327-7054.

...thank you for participating in the Economic Development Seminar held in Schroon Lake on December 13 & 14, 1989...The seminar has been rated a success by all who attended. Everyone is looking forward to proceeding with great enthusiasm toward the VISIONS of Schroon Lake's future.
-Mrs. Beryl Denton, President, Schroon Lake

Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.