SoVT Faces in Economic Development: Martin Langeveld, SeVEDS and Strolling of the Heifers

Meet Martin Langeveld! Martin is a former newspaper publisher who has been active in economic development activities with SeVEDS and Strolling of the Heifers. He also serves on the Vernon Planning Commission and the Vermont Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel and on the boards of several non-profit organizations. We asked him to tell us about some projects he is working on and what economic development means to him.

“My two favorite economic development projects that I’m working on right now are Friends of Vernon Center, Inc. and Windham Grows. Friends of Vernon Center, Inc., which is furthering a vision for a Village Center in Vernon in order to create a more vibrant center for the town; develop a store and café as a social gathering place; and develop additional housing and space for commercial enterprises. Windham Grows is a project of Strolling of the Heifers which is helping to build the food and agriculture business sector by mentoring early-stage businesses and connecting them with critical services, resources and financing.

To me, economic development means to enrich the lives of the people in the region by creating more economic opportunities for all, in a manner that incorporates environmental sustainability and social justice.”

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