Proposes questions for citizens of small towns to discuss when considering local economic endeavors. Questions address local concerns for maintaining rural character, quality of life, and sense of community while promoting economic growth. Considers effects on local taxes, the environment, natural resources, and employment opportunities. (KS)

The property tax base in Vermont's towns are overburdened as property taxes are usually the only funding method available to finance schools, police departments, highway work, recreation programs, and government in general. Attempting to offer their citizens a balanced program of services without exorbitant taxes, local officials are striving to…

Impact fees significantly reduce the burden on small town governments to pay for capital facilities necessitated by new development. Describes how an impact fee program in St. Albans, Vermont, helped offset costs in providing additional facilities and services related to parks and recreation, law enforcement, the library, fire protection, road…

A Vermont project, the Environmental Programs/Partnerships in Communities (EPIC) project provides a transferable model for rural development. The program is sensitive to people and environmental needs, and emphasizes long-term functioning of the entire community system, not just specific outcomes. EPIC has supported leadership training, local…

This final report describes a demonstration project in Addison County, Vermont, to increase the capacity of families, educators, and other service providers to serve children and youth with serious emotional disturbances in their homes, schools, and community settings rather than in residential settings. The project developed, field-tested, and…