Igniting Ideas In The Northeast Kingdom

I just wrapped up two days, along with our amazing partners, NVDA and other NEK leaders, talking with colleagues from across the country about what it really takes to grow entrepreneurship in rural regions. One thing became clear: entrepreneurship isn’t a niche concern. It’s foundational to a healthy economy. Every thriving business, nonprofit, and community initiative starts the same way: with someone willing to imagine something new and take a risk.

Here in the Northeast Kingdom, we have an incredible reservoir of creativity. Sometimes it shows up in obvious ways, like a new cafe or a manufacturing startup. Other times it’s tucked inside a garage, a kitchen table, or a classroom. The challenge is helping those sparks catch fire, giving people the support, tools, and encouragement to turn good ideas into lasting enterprises.

That’s why programs like Pitch Kitchen are so important. At the last session, led by fellow entrepreneur David Roth, about 20 of us gathered to share and listen to ideas. Even people like me who had never thought of themselves as “inventors” found a place at the table. Two middle schoolers pitched a design to harness the energy of riding their bikes to power electronics. The room lit up with questions, suggestions, and applause. It wasn’t about perfect business plans; it was about possibility.

Spaces such as Do North Coworking in Lyndonville, or our sister organizations throughout the state, give that possibility a home. They’re more than shared desks and Wi-Fi—they’re intended to be environments where people can collaborate, learn, and grow. The programming supported by NVDA provides the opportunity for entrepreneurs to meet mentors, refine their pitches, and build relationships that make starting something new just a little less scary. This regional leadership, Catamount Arts’ partnership on events like Rumble in the Kingdom, and a steady pipeline of support networks help ensure that promising ideas can find a path forward.

Entrepreneurship is a long game. It takes practice, feedback, and community. Chamber member Luke Robinson of RS Developments, for example, returned to Pitch Kitchen to hone a concept he’d first shared months ago, and has tapped into the many valuable resources of our incredible community through Passumpsic Bank and the Small Business Development Center. He and others will keep refining their work ahead of the October 23 pitch competition, where $20,000 will be awarded to promising ventures. Each step, each conversation, strengthens the fabric of our regional economy.

As director of the Northeast Kingdom Chamber, I see firsthand how supporting entrepreneurs lifts entire communities. When we invest in training, mentorship, flexible workspaces, and networks that welcome both bold visions and modest experiments, we cultivate resilience. We also make room for the next generation to stay, build, and lead here at home.

Entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for a select few with capital and connections. It’s something any of us can nurture, whether by sharing an idea, giving feedback, or cheering on someone who’s just starting out. I’m willing to bet each one of you reading has had an idea, a spark, that, if lit, could turn into something pretty cool.

If you want to be part of this movement, take the time to attend a pitch night, become a mentor, or simply stop by DoNorthCoworking.com to see what’s happening. You may discover that the next big thing in the Northeast Kingdom begins with an ordinary conversation, and maybe even with you.

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Housing, Workforce & the Work Ahead

By Quintin Tomasi • November 4, 2025

For Chamber Director, Loralee Tester, October was a month filled with meaningful conversations about the systems that shape our communities. One event from Let’s Build Homes brought together hundreds of Vermonters focused on addressing Vermont’s housing crisis. “The energy and collaboration in that room were deeply inspiring — a reminder that solving housing isn’t about changing what makes Vermont special, but ensuring our children and workforce can afford to stay here.” – Loralee Tester Tester also had the opportunity to sit on a state committee exploring health outcomes through the lens of an abundance mindset — asking what we might uncover if we focused on possibility rather than scarcity? That same spirit was reflected later in a talk featuring Derek Thompson , co-author (alongside Ezra Klein) of Abundance . Thompson ended the talk on this powerful note: “Growth is good. Change is hard. Both are true. And stasis sucks.” It’s a timely challenge for all of us. What can we — the Northeast Kingdom — do to encourage healthy growth, embrace valuable change, and acknowledge that stasis only deepens our affordability and workforce challenges? There’s so much good work happening already. “I was honored to serve as a judge for this year’s Rumble in the Kingdom , where four remarkable businesses won prizes and eight more showcased powerful, community-driven ideas. Innovation is alive and well here in the NEK.” – Loralee Tester More good work is still to come. The Chamber’s new Workforce Development Coordinator begins next week. This position, funded through a grant from the Vermont Department of Labor , will help accelerate the efforts of the NEK Chamber’s Manufacturing Consortium , building stronger connections between employers, educators, and future workers. We are endlessly grateful for the support of chamber members who continue to make this important work possible. In December, we’ll be sending out 2026 membership invoices. We’re working hard to make membership even more valuable, with new member-to-member benefits designed to save you money and connect you with other local businesses. Current benefits include: Fuel Discounts through our partner programs . Group Rates for dental, vision, and pet insurance — a fantastic way to extend benefits to your employees or yourself. Exclusive Member-to-Member Offers: Linda Lanteigne Photography – discounted headshots and business photo sessions Northeast Kingdom Online – reduced-rate website design for members– details to come in next month's newsletter Catamount Arts – free popcorn with your movie ticket We’re working to introduce membership cards to make it easy to access and verify your benefits. If your business would like to offer a discount or perk to fellow members, please contact the Chamber office . It’s a wonderful way to promote your business while contributing to a more connected, thriving community.

A Kingdom Ablaze with Opportunity

Housing, Workforce & the Work Ahead

Starting Locally, Thinking Regionally

What's in a Chamber?

Guest Blog - NEK Young Professionals Network

Member Announcement - Kingdom Canine Center For Sale

Keys to the Kingdom: Turning Opportunity into Reality

Leadership NEK: Empowering Future Leaders

Local Leaders Unite on Solutions for Housing Crisis

NEK Students Shine in VT Civics Bee State Finals

Monthly Legislative Breakfast

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