On April 30, a special community forum will be taking place called Brandon: A Hub and Our Home. Who’s invited? All Brandon residents. Why is it important to attend? For that, let’s go back a little in history.
In 1999, the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) — the same nonprofit group that’s organizing the April 30 event — held a similar forum in Brandon. Back then, the town was still struggling from the economic impact of the Brandon Training School closure in 1993. Downtown Brandon had empty storefronts. The Town Hall was defunct. There was a derelict building standing in the space we now call Green Park. The Café Provence building was old and crumbly. The list goes on and on.
I recently reread a report from that community visit and was blown away by the number of action items that have been accomplished since then. What a difference a quarter century makes, thanks to a lot of public and private investment and plenty of community effort. Participants included Otter Valley students and adults from all walks of life, economic situations and ages. Here’s a link to the report, if you’d like a real blast from the past!
In 1999, we were talking about a potential bypass, either west or east of town. The Segment 6 project had not yet been finalized. This was the number one prioritized issue at the 1999 forum. In my opinion, we can consider it successfully achieved.
The number two issue was to attract economic development. This one is tricky because while we haven’t attracted any major companies or organizations offering high-paying employment, in my opinion, the issue is no longer as dire. With improvements to internet access and remote work opportunities plus the COVID pandemic, high wage earners are here — even without new local jobs. The catch is that we now face inequity in housing prices. The problem isn’t unique to Brandon, but it’s a serious problem nonetheless, and on the docket for April 30.
Some of the downtown revitalization and historic structures issues raised at the 1999 forum have been successfully addressed. Two of three historic buildings mentioned in the report (the Town Hall and the Fire Station) have been redeveloped and are in productive use, and the third, the old High School, is under new ownership with exterior restoration beginning soon. I’m happy to report that the Smith Block also now has 12 apartments on the second and third floors, and two viable businesses on the ground floor — one of them my own! This redevelopment has added a lot to the downtown core.
Fast forward to 2026. The community visit process will take place over three months and will help the community connect, brainstorm ideas, choose important priorities, and take action for the future. VCRD identifies itself as a neutral organization that has led Community Visits in over 90 Vermont towns. April 30 is the first of three get-togethers in Brandon.
It would be wonderful to see a wide range of community members take part in this year’s forum. Help shape the town’s priorities for what YOU want to see in your hometown. What’s important to you, your children, or your grandkids? I especially hope to see high school and college students present to address what they want to see in their community now and in their future.
Event details:
Brandon: A Hub and Our Home
Date: Thurs., April 30: Community Visit Day
4:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Otter Valley Union Middle & High School
Free community dinner and childcare included
For more information, click here.
Janet Mondlak was serving as Executive Director of the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce when the last community visit process took place in Brandon. This time around she will be involved in the process as a citizen who cares about the future of Brandon.
