Big Impact for Small Towns: Investment Strategies for Rural Projects

Even small money can make a big difference in small towns. In this session from PastForward 2022, panelists dig into the results of the Northeast Heritage Economy Program (NHEP) grants, administered in 2020-2022. NHEP is a collaborative initiative of the Preservation League of New York State, New Hampshire Preservation Alliance, Maine Preservation, and Preservation Trust of Vermont. The program was funded with a $1,000,000 grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission through their Regional Forest Economy Partnership program, split evenly among the four nonprofit partners. Program managers from each organization, including the League’s VP for Policy & Preservation Katie Comeau, offered strategies for investing in facilities for child care, arts, local food, and other entrepreneurial community services. The panelists discussed how to support novice developers, measure and celebrate short- and long-term community and economic development impacts, and invite questions and discussion in a session designed to provide practical information and inspiration.