Why do you stay in the NEK?

This past weekend, thanks to a collaborative effort between several organizations, and under the orchestration of one particularly dedicated young professional, Vermonters had the chance to make their case to 15 visiting individuals and families who are considering calling the Northeast Kingdom home. Keys to the Kingdom offered visitors a 3-day curated experience and a chance to meet with local leaders, lenders, realtors, and community members. Our guests learned what it’s like to live, work, and play like a local, and challenged us with tough questions about the realities of life here.

One word that came up, over and over again, was “opportunity.”

The entire three-county region is home to barely 64,000 people. That’s less than 10% of Boston alone. So, what opportunities could there be that would make it worth heading 3+ hours further north to leave behind the restaurants and nightlife of the city in exchange for quiet towns that fall asleep by 8pm?

The beauty of the NEK, beyond the foliage and flannels, is in the unwavering sense of community.

Sure, the roads can get icy in the winter—you’ll probably get stuck in a snowbank one day— but I’d put money on it that the first pick-up truck to pass you on the road will pull over, break out their chains, and get you back on the road before you’ve even had the chance to call for a tow. There’s a real baseline of respect for your neighbors here—no one wants to see the other fail. As much as we’d love for our region to be a great place to visit, we’d love even more that it be a place to stay. That’s why now, more than ever, our communities are rallying to invest in themselves and in their futures.

In the NEK we DIY.

Another key aspect of life in the Northeast Kingdom is a fondness for DIY—"do-it-yourself.”  I spoke with one visiting couple who both had a background in computer programming and a fear for what to do with that experience once here. It’s hard not to empathize with that fear. Industry in Vermont may seem small and limited, but that doesn’t mean our communities don’t need those skills. A lack of industry isn’t a lack of opportunity, in fact, it is the very essence of opportunity. The Northeast Kingdom is a place where folks from any background can come and build, for themselves, the very business they’re looking to work for, in the place they want to live. While this may seem daunting at first, we are here to help.

Do it yourself doesn’t mean do it alone.

To all Vermonters—old, new, or still on the fence—if you have an idea, a vision, or a dream, but you’ve found yourself stuck, The Chamber will be right around the corner, ready to help get you back on the road towards success.

Thank you to the Vermont Welcome Wagon Project, Northeast Kingdom Young Professionals Network, Northern Forest Center and getNEKedVT, and a special thanks to Theresa Keller for turning this opportunity into a reality.