Forming Partnerships
Headwaters board members business planning with consultant Evan Carlson.
What an eventful month! Headwaters board members have been hard at work on the potential acquisition of the Sterling College campus, while also pushing ahead with our promised transition from startup to becoming an operating Community Land Trust.
Here’s the latest:
Sterling College
Through open dialogue and much communication, Headwaters and Sterling College are working together toward a shared vision for the future of the campus. The dialogue also includes Craftsbury Saplings, who have been exploring the renovation of Sterling’s Alder Dorm for a much-needed expansion, and Sterling faculty and staff, who hope to bring new educational programming to the campus.
As a Community Land Trust, Headwaters is committed to practicing community-led development on community-owned land. In other words, our community will work together to consider the uses and steward any property owned by Headwaters. Since Sterling announced the closing of its degree-granting programs, many individuals and organizations have brought forward exciting and creative ideas for the campus. If Headwaters acquires the Sterling property, our board and members look forward to working with everyone who wants to help re-imagine the Sterling campus for the long-term benefit of all our communities.
As we pursue the acquisition, Headwaters is fortunate to have technical assistance from Preservation Trust of Vermont, whose mission is to build community through the preservation of historic buildings, villages, and downtowns. PTV’s wise counsel on project coordination, offer development, acquisition due diligence, consultant coordination, and financial analysis is made possible through the Paul A. Bruhn Fund.
Finally, Headwaters gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Northern Forest Center, a regional organization with expertise in acquiring and redeveloping property for community benefit, raising capital, and leveraging other financing. Center president Rob Riley made an early commitment to bringing the Center’s knowledge and experience to the process.
Building Capacity
At its February meeting, the Headwaters board approved an operating budget for 2026 and selected a consultant to complete our business plan. That work is funded by the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), granted through the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. The board’s work with that consultant will begin this week.
The board also approved a formal agreement to receive technical assistance from Preservation Trust of Vermont, as mentioned above.
Headwaters also received a Grow Grant from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund (the Grassroots Fund) to support organizational development, and is in the process of interviewing consultants who can support the board in its ongoing transition from organizing to working as an operating Community Land Trust.