Bradford, VT – Once again, as has happened for many years in the past, the River Bend Career and Technical Center was filled with ideas, programs, municipal government leaders, and enthusiasm, as nearly three dozen business leaders, education officials, and government representatives came together for another Annual Cohase Region Economic Summit.
With the Cohase Chamber of Commerce established for its original four towns 25 years ago and then expanding to six cities, the Chamber serves those six towns through an expanding network of ideas and business promotions.
Those boundaries now include, within the Chamber's areas of influence, the Vermont towns of Newbury, Bradford, and Fairlee, and New Hampshire, with Haverhill, Piermont, and Orford.
The event that got underway Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM included a welcome and intro of those present, and a full dinner prepared by Chef Heidenreich and his Riverbend culinary arts program.
Then a report session from town representatives was held, plus a short presentation on the technical center by Director Brian Emerson, introduction of the need for a Community Development Concept by Vermont State Representative Monique Priestley, with Michelle Sponheimer and the development team, with a complete discussion of the needs for an Upper Valley Regional Community Development Corporation, and concluding with an ending wrap-up.
Peter Gregory, Executive Director of the Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission, summed up his comments on the evening's discussion by offering that "I think it was beneficial for the attendees to learn about other ways to enhance capacity to address housing and economic development issues," he provided The Bridge Weekly at the conclusion of the program.
He said, "I was pleased to see that regional organizations like Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation and Grafton Regional Development Corporation will offer guidance on how to complement, rather than duplicate efforts in the area. Two Rivers Ottauquechee Rivers Commission will also participate in discussions and offer assistance to support the needs of its communities," he said.
Haverhill Select Board member Ron Hurlburt attended the session with fellow Select Board member Joe Longacre, as they both did last year. They participated in the evening's discussions and the question-and-answer portion of the three-hour program.
Hurlburt told The Bridge Weekly at the conclusion of the program that it appeared Haverhill was very well received that evening, and there was much interest in them taking part and attending the program.
He said, “Along with the need for multiple unit housing, I like the idea of also partnering with developers to rehab and establish units in existing abandoned buildings.
The idea of a Regional Community Development Corporation seems reasonable and very beneficial. It would just have to be tuned to work for everyone and give people interest."

He added that the main obstacle he saw in Haverhill is all the "NIMBY's" (Not In My Back Yard) being afraid of large amounts of housing coming in. “That is where single large homes could first work. It is difficult to cut out good farmland and convert it to housing. The fellow, Noah Richard, mentioned he gets people from the community to invest in the project. They have guaranteed equity in the property and therefore would have much involvement and interest in the project as it moves along. There might be an avenue under tax takings that would allow developers to then acquire properties for redevelopment.”

Selectman Hurlburt said that everyone at the dinner seemed to be in agreement that there is indeed a housing crisis and something needs to change. “There were a wide range of people attending, being entrepreneurs, builders, selectmen, Chamber Commerce, news/media, finance, conservation to name a few. With that many types of knowledge and occupation, I'd like to think something could move forward.”

He said that “With my table much discussion was made on the new surge of vocational training verses college. People spending the money and time to get a degree are not coming out of college with the pay scale of someone successful in the trades, along with carrying a great deal of debt.”

“Much emphasis is also put on ‘workforce housing’ which is not low income but rather housing trying to meet median income earners to be able to stay in their local town and purchase a home. One builder noted that although he does this for a business, he does not want to just absorb profit off someone's back but also provide affordable type housing for local people.”

One of the major discussions at the meeting was on the subject of “Why the Upper Valley Region Needs a Regional Community Development Corporation.” As pointed out in a White Paper presentation on the subject, the area faces challenges common to many small, rural towns.

Rising housing costs, aging infrastructure, limited economic diversification, and it constrained municipal capacity made large scale community investment quite difficult. These challenges are compounded by small tax basis, limited staff resources and regional housing pressures that can price out residents wanting to come and live and/or work in the community.
A regional community development Corporation (CDC) can fill this gap. By combining local governments with professional management, AC/DC provides continuity, technical expertise, and the ability to coordinate initiatives across multiple sectors and municipal boundaries.
It can help communities throughout the upper Valley plan and implement projects that advance local goals while leveraging federal, state, and by state funding.

It is expected that this discussion of CDC will be ongoing and accompanied by other important topics such as how to better meet childcare needs in the community, a look at zoning and changes that could be made, and looking at a long list of bylaws and ordinances that all of our local communities must now work with.

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