Rural America is vital to the heart and soul of this nation. Many rural residents and rural states have felt left out of the nation’s prosperity, sometimes as “flyover” places, sometimes with neglected infrastructure needs, and sometimes forgotten in our increasingly urbanized culture. Reducing economic disparity between rural and urban areas is key to reducing political polarization, increasing unity and boosting national prosperity.

Rural Development Councils are a great example of rural resource coordination. It makes so much sense, previous government administrations got rid of them. But some have survived.   What are Rural Development Councils? Today we find out.   

Paul Costello has served as the Executive Director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development ( https://www.vtrural.org/home ) since 2000.  

VCRD runs an annual Rural Summit and conducts “Community Visits” that help rural communities build priorities, set action plans, and build connections to resources.   

It also provides customized facilitation on rural development policy at the local, regional and state level, including more than a dozen major rural policy council efforts, and has built significant programs to advance the digital economy.    

Today VCRD leads the Vermont Climate Economy Initiative and the Vermont Community Leadership Network.