What will it take for rural towns to build thriving local economies? Come explore creative ideas for Bethel and other small towns. Join us for this interactive Zoom forum. Learn how we can create vibrant rural villages for all and grow strong local economies. Find out how to get involved. Share your ideas and help shape Bethel’s future.
How can small towns and local businesses compete in a changing economy? What would make rural Main Streets more livable, welcoming and inclusive? How can we help our local businesses recover and thrive throughout Covid-19?
Come explore what’s going well and what’s needed to create thriving rural communities in the 21st century. This interactive forum will use Bethel as a case study, but look at challenges and creative solutions common in rural communities around Vermont.
In the first half, we’ll hear from two speakers about trends and inspiring ideas for creating thriving rural downtowns such as placemaking, microentrepreneurship, and business collaborations. We’ll also hear initial reflections from Bethel’s recent market study and local economy roundtables and discuss creative solutions and opportunities.
If you’d like to dive deeper, stay for an interactive workshop in the second half. We’ll break out into groups and use interactive maps to dive into economic opportunity in Bethel village, then brainstorm quick actions for supporting our local businesses and economy.
Speakers:
Tripp Muldrow, Principal, Arnett Muldrow & Associates
Richard Amore, Planning and Outreach Manager, Vermont Department of Housing & Community Development
Accommodations:
This is an interactive Zoom forum. We will offer automatic captioning at this event. Do you need additional accommodations? If so, please email betheluniversityvt@gmail.com and we will do our best to make arrangements.
Host: Bethel for All. This event is one of four accessibility forums organized by Bethel for All —a community-driven planning process making Bethel, Vermont a more connected, vibrant, welcoming and accessible place for all. Join us for the other three forums to learn about creating accessible public spaces and services, active and safer streets, and cleaner watersheds. Bethel for All is a Vermont Better Connections project. bethelforall.org
Bethel University Vermont (BU) is a free community pop-up university based in Bethel, Vermont and created by the Bethel Revitalization Initiative. We offer free courses by the community, for the community, during the month of March each year. Learn more about Bethel University and check out more free course listings at betheluniversityvt.org.