Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

Work

Yellow Wood brings a special combination of content and process expertise to our work.

We invite you to explore our work.  Recent projects and presentations are listed below.  You can explore additional work using the various tags in the right hand column.

Economic Strategy Development Workshop for the Town of Hinesburg

Yellow Wood provided the Town of Hinesburg with assistance in developing an economic development strategy. This assistance included planning and facilitating a community engagement workshop to identify the strategic leverage points for goals identified…

Town of Mansfield, Plan of Conservation and Development - Agriculture Strategy

The team of Goody Clancy & Associates, of which Yellow Wood Associates is a part, was selected by the Town of Mansfield, CT to assist in preparing an updated Plan of Conservation and Development as part of their commitment to the federal Sustainable…

Measurement Workshop, Saratoga Springs, New York, October 2013

Melissa Levy and Samantha Dunn co-presented a half-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Saratoga Springs, NY. Attendees came from the Land Trust Alliance, Ma'yan, the New World Foundation, the New York Farm Viability Institute,…

Town of Johnson Commercial/Industrial Park Market Study

Yellow Wood conducted a market study to determine if there was a sufficient market for a commercial/light industrial park in the Town of Johnson, including the types of sectors/clusters that might be most interested. The study shed light on whether…

Measurement Workshop, Portland, Maine, November 2012

Melissa Levy and Ruth Feldman co-presented a full-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Portland, ME. Attendees came from the Maine Association of Nonprofits, the Maine Community Foundation, the University of Southern Maine,…

Measurement Workshop, Montpelier, Vermont, April 2012

Melissa Levy and Jackie LeBlanc co-presented a full-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Montpelier, VT. Attendees came from the Orange County Parent and Child Center, the Chittenden Regional Planning Commission, and Skeo…

Town of Johnson Retail Food Enterprise

Yellow Wood conducted a feasibility study for a local retail food enterprise in the Town of Johnson, Vermont. The study included interviews with local food businesses, institutions and social service agencies to learn more about their desire and interest…

Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Resort Development in Tupper Lake, New York

Protect the Adirondacks!, a non-profit, grassroots membership organization, hired Yellow Wood Associates to review application materials for the Adirondack Club and Resort (ACR). a major real estate development proposed for Tupper Lake, New York. Yellow…

Measurement Workshop, Washington DC, March 2010

Melissa Levy presented a full-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Washington, DC. Attendees came from NOAA, the US Forest Service, the US Department of Agriculture, and the US EPA.

Nonprofit and Community Measurement and Training Workshop, Rutland Vermont, December 2009

Melissa Levy and Rob Petrini co-presented a full-day public workshop on the You Get What You Measure® process in Rutland, VT.

Town of Brattleboro GASB 34 and Capital Planning

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of Brattleboro to complete a municipal infrastructure inventory and assessment.

Green Community Technologies®: Minnesota Communities, City of Battle Lake

The West Central Initiative commissioned an infrastructure pilot project in three communities in west central Minnesota. The City of Battle Lake, as a community with a relatively new centralized infrastructure facing pressure from growth, was chosen…

Green Community Technologies®: Minnesota Communities, City of Brandon

The West Central Initiative commissioned an infrastructure pilot project in three communities in west central Minnesota. The City of Brandon, as a community with agricultural land being converted to housing, was chosen to be part of the pilot project.…

Green Community Technologies®: Minnesota Communities, City of Ottertail

The West Central Initiative commissioned an infrastructure pilot project in three communities in west central Minnesota. The City of Ottertail, as a community facing development pressure and pressing water system issues, was chosen to be part of the…

Review of Highly Successful NESARE Projects

Yellow Wood compiled a list of highly successful projects funded by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, along with a review of some of the best practices that made these projects successful.

Planning and Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis Services for the Association to Protect the Adirondacks, regarding Tupper Lake

Yellow Wood worked with the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks to review materials prepared by the Adirondack Club and Resort, a large ski-area and residential four season resort proposed for Tupper Lake. Our role was to identify the…

Village of Derby Line Border Station Impact Study

Yellow Wood Associates was hired by the Village of Derby Line to study the potential economic, fiscal and environmental impacts from a proposed expansion of the I-91 Derby Line Port of Entry on the Village of Derby Line as well as potential mitigation…

Town of Franklin, Implementation Assistance for Green Municipal Building Program

The Town of Franklin contracted with Yellow Wood to prepare a list of qualified bidders for the Town's building program which includes one LEED certified building. Yellow Wood identified qualified architects, builders, commissioning agents and clerks…

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Hancock, NH

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of Hancock to complete a General Accounting Standards Board 34 (GASB 34) Municipal Asset Inventory.

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, New Gloucester, ME

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of New Gloucester to consider alternative approaches to handling municipal solid waste including recyclables. We examined waste reduction, collection, and disposal strategies.

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Westford, VT

Yellow Wood worked with Stone Environmental to assess options for water supply and wastewater treatment in the rural town of Westford, Vermont's town center. Yellow Wood prepared a Wastewater Feasibillity Study Survey for landowners in the town center…

Workshop Design and Facilitation for the Town of Montgomery

The Town of Montgomery, New York hired Yellow Wood Associates to assist residents and local government officials in planning for the Town’s energy future. Yellow Wood used its You Get What You Measure® process to help the group identify seven important…

Solid Waste Analysis for the Town of New Gloucester, Maine

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of New Gloucester to consider alternative approaches to handling municipal solid waste including recyclables. We examined waste reduction, collection, and disposal strategies.

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Barnstable County, MA

Yellow Wood worked with Barnstable County officials to create an Asset Inventory of the County’s buildings, vehicles and parking. County officials closest to each piece of infrastructure worked on completing customized forms to gather information.…

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Franklin, NY

The Town of Franklin engaged with the Green Community Technologies® process as a way to help determine how to proceed with its buildings in a manner that would meet the immediate and longterm needs of the community while addressing regulatory compliance…

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Litchfield, ME

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of Litchfield to complete a municipal infrastructure inventory and assessment.

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Richmond, MA

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of Richmond to complete a municipal infrastructure inventory and assessment.

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Thetford, VT

Yellow Wood worked with the Town of Thetford to complete a municipal infrastructure inventory and assessment.

Green Community Technologies®: Phase II, Hinesburg, VT

The Town of Hinesburg asked Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. to research alternative ways of increasing their wastewater capacity beyond expanding the plant, using their Green Community Technologies process. Hinesburg, Yellow Wood, and Stone Environmental…

Presentation for Harpswell, Maine on Potential Economic and Fiscal Impacts on the Town of Harpswell of the Proposed LNG Terminal

Shanna Ratner presented the findings of Yellow Wood Associates, Inc.’s study of the potential economic and fiscal impacts of a proposed liquid natural gas import terminal on the Town of Harpswell, Maine to an audience of over 150 people in a public…

Analysis of Potential Economic and Fiscal Impacts on the Town of Harpswell, Maine of the LNG Terminal Proposed by TransCanada Pipelines and ConocoPhillips

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. collected data from primary and secondary sources to assess the potential economic and fiscal impacts of a proposed Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) import terminal on the fishing town of Harpswell, Maine. Work included analyzing…

Workshop on Participatory Research presented in cooperation with the Middlebury College Alliance for Civic Engagement and Vermont Campus Compact

Shanna Ratner presented a participatory research workshop at Middlebury College on November 20th, 2003. The workshop was presented by the National Community Forestry Center Northern Forest Region in cooperation with the Middlebury College…

Concerned Citizens of Waterbury, Testimony Presented to District #5 Environmental Commission re: Application for Shaw’s Supermarket on Rte 100 in Waterbury, Vermont

Yellow Wood developed and delivered testimony on the economic and fiscal impacts of a proposed Shaw’s Supermarket at an Act 250 hearing before the District #5 Environmental Commission. Testimony emphasized the impact on downtown and traffic costs.

Town of Richmond Municipal Infrastructure Inventory and Alternative Technology Analysis

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with the Town of Richmond, Vermont to inventory and assess municipal infrastructure assets and provide options for future investment based on a comparative analysis of alternative technologies versus conventional…

Miner County Community Revitalization Workshop

Facilitated two-day application of You Get What You Measure® with staff and community leaders focusing on identifying key leverage points and measures of progress toward poverty reduction goals identified in the community plan.

SmartWood Certification Assessment of Essex Timber Lands

The Principal of Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. participated as a socio-economist with a three-member interdisciplinary team to conduct a management assessment of 83,000 acres of private forest land according to criteria established by the Forest Stewardship…

Burlington Public Market Farmer Cooperative Development

On behalf of the Burlington Community Land Trust, Yellow Wood worked with potential vendors of the Burlington Public Market to explore cooperative marketing arrangements. Yellow Wood helped determine which groups would be most ready to participate…

Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis for Sewer Expansion in Shelburne

Yellow Wood worked with the Conservation Law Foundation to help explain the importance of economic and fiscal impact assessment in relation to a proposed sewer expansion. Work included substantial attention to the importance of developing standards…

Testimony and Review Regarding Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Home Depot in Rutland, Vermont

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. gathered information from primary and secondary sources, developed written and oral testimony, and appeared before the Vermont Environmental Board on behalf of appellant, Friends of Vermont’s Way of Life. Our client took…

Cooperative Cleaning Business Pre-Feasibility Study

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. defined a business concept and conducted preliminary research for a cooperative cleaning business that used non-toxic products and techniques.

Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis of the Stowe Ski Area Master Plan

Worked on behalf of the Conservation Law Foundation to document and analyze the economic and fiscal impacts of the proposed Stowe Ski Area Master Plan. The analysis emphasized the extent of public investment versus public benefit in electric utilities,…

Testimony presented to the Environmental Board re: Proposed Stratton Mountain Community Plan

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. evaluated the proposed Stratton Mountain Master Plan expansion; prepared prefiled direct and rebuttal testimony explaining the impacts of growth, costs of scattered development, and reasonable rates of growth (Criteria…

Wooden Windows Restoration Project Demand Research

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. assisted in developing methods for low-income people to estimate the demand for a cooperative specializing in the restoration and maintenance of wooden windows. Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. analyzed secondary data, conducted…

Burlington Public Market Indoor Market Feasibility Study

The Burlington Public Market Steering Committee retained the services of Yellow Wood to explore the feasibility of developing a year-round, indoor public market in Burlington, VT. Yellow Wood identified and surveyed Vermont producers to determine their…

Analysis and Testimony related to a proposed Milton Sewer Line Extension

Yellow Wood provided written and oral testimony for the foundation in the Act 250 review of the Town of Milton, Vermont in their proposal to expand sewer service along Route 7. The purpose of the evaluation was to review the adequacy and/or deficiencies…

Economic Impact Analysis and Testimony re Potential Impacts on Downtown Middlebury of a Proposed Comfort Inn

On behalf of local business people, Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. prepared an independent analysis of the potential economic impacts of a proposed national chain hotel on the existing lodging industry in Middlebury, surrounding areas, and downtown Middlebury.…

Town of Cambridge, Vermont Planning Commission

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. assisted the Town of Cambridge, Vermont Planning Commission in designing and implementing a process to engage local residents and landowners in a dialogue about guiding future growth in the town. Specifically, the dialogue…

Stratton Area Citizen’s Committee

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. researched and analyzed the socio-economic impacts of a proposed expansion of lodging and retail facilities at Stratton Mountain for the Stratton Area Citizen’s Committee. The analysis considered the economic viability…

Economic Development Presentation, Addison County Vermont Regional Planning Commission.

"What Towns Can Do to Support Local Economic Development" presented to the Addison County Regional Planning Commission Board meeting.

Essex County Strategic Farmland Protection Plan

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with the Essex County Farmland Protection Board to develop a plan for farmland protection based on a strategic analysis of opportunities to strengthen agriculture in Essex County. Work included a survey of farmers…

Preliminary Analysis of the Economic Viability of the Essex County Fair and Revitalization Strategy for the Fair

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with the Essex County, New York Planning Department and the Essex County Fair Board to analyze the economic viability of the Essex County Fair. Analysis included best practices at a number of fairs in terms of activities,…

Lake Placid Wal-Mart Economic Impact Review

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. reviewed and critiqued the economic impact statement prepared by Wal-Mart for their proposed Lake Placid site on behalf of the Lake Placid Residents for Responsible Growth.

Moriah Neighborhood Based Alliance and Economic Development Zone

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. 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…

Southampton Natural Resource-Based Economic Assessment

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. worked with Land Ethics, Inc. of Washington, DC to analyze existing agricultural and fisheries resources and develop recommendations for fostering an economically and environmentally viable climate for the natural resource-based…

Water Resources and the Town of Champlain

Prepared case study of the Town of Champlain, New York on behalf of The Lake Champlain Management Conference to illustrate the complex connections between the town's water resources and its economy. Explored the potential impact of a Lake Champlain…

Newport Downtown Merchant's Association Economic Impact Analysis under Vermont’s Act 250

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. analyzed the potential economic impact on Newport of the proposed Derby Plaza in Derby, Vermont on behalf of the Newport Downtown Merchants’ Association. Prepared and delivered written and oral testimony before the District…

Economic and Fiscal Impacts of St. Albans Wal-Mart

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. reviewed and critiqued the economic impact statement prepared by Wal-Mart for their proposed St. Albans location on behalf of the Franklin-Grand Isle Regional Planning and Development Commission. Prepared and delivered…

Workshop on Rural Community Economic Development

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. 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…

Plainfield: Rural Character in Transition

Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. 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…