Full Strategy - Economic Resurgence - Northern Forest Center

Project FundersThe Sustainable Economy Initiative gratefullyacknowledges the following foundations, organizations,agencies and businesses for their generous support ofthe Sustainable Economy Initiative:Economic Development AdministrationInside front cover:For artwork or blankDavis Conservation FoundationFirst Colebrook BankMount Washington ResortNew Hampshire Charitable FoundationPublic Service of New HampshireSurdna FoundationNorthern Forest CenterNorth Country CouncilGenesis ConsultingMembers of the Northern Forest Congressional DelegationMembers of the project Steering CommitteeProject StaffJoe Short, SEI Project Manager and Editor,Northern Forest CenterRob Riley, President, Northern Forest CenterMichael King, Executive Director,North Country CouncilJeffrey Hayes, Assistant Executive Director,North County CouncilFacilitation and strategy consultation provided byTom Gross and Michael Manolson.Contributing ResearchersRoss Gittell, University of New HampshireCurt Grimm, Priscilla Salant, Chris Colocousis,and Jason Rudokas, UNH Carsey InstituteMary Ann Hayes and Nate Michaud, Maine Rural PartnersCharles Levesque and Eric Kingsley,Innovative Natural Resource SolutionsMark Okrant, Plymouth State UniversityShanna Ratner, Yellow Wood AssociatesAnn Ruzow Holland, Community Planning AdvisorWilliam Steinhurst, Alice Napoleon, and Kenji Takahashi,Synapse Energy Economics- C2 -

Economic Resurgence in the Northern ForestRegional Strategy andRecommendations of theOctober 2008The Sustainable Economy Initiative was led by a four-state SteeringCommittee appointed jointly by the governors of Maine, New Hampshire,Vermont and New York, and the organizations managing the project:the Northern Forest Center and the North Country Council. The federalEconomic Development Administration and private contributions providedfunding for the two-year project.Throughout the project, 60 government, community and business leadersserved as appointees, alternates and advisors representing diverse sectors—arts, tourism, forest products, education, the environment, utilities, bankingand community and economic development.Photos, park with waterfall: Carl Heilman, II; other photos: Jerry & Marcy MonkmanFor over two years, the group worked to understand the shared challengesfacing Northern Forest communities, identify the region’s assets andopportunities, and agree on a shared vision and strategy for revitalizing theNorthern Forest economy and sustaining the long-term health of its peopleand lands. The strategy for Economic Resurgence represents the productof the Steering Committee’s work.The Sustainable Economy Initiative was jointlymanaged by the North Country Council andthe Northern Forest Center.For more information, visit www.nfsei.net- a -

Steering CommitteeMainePeter Beringer ................. Maine Forest ServiceKeith Bisson* .................. Coastal Enterprises, Inc.Sandra E. Brawders ............. Professional Logging Contractors of MaineRobert P. Clark ................ Northern Maine Development CommissionWarren C. Cook ............... Sugarloaf Global PartnersTom Doak*. ................... Small Woodland Owners Association of MaineAlec Giffen .................... Maine Forest ServiceBruce Hazard .................. Mountain Counties Heritage, Inc.Mary Ann Hayes* ............... Maine Rural PartnersBruce D. McLean ............... Millinocket Area Growth and Investment CouncilSandra Neily ................... University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research InitiativeMatt Polstein .................. New England Outdoor CenterAndy Shepard ................. Maine Winter Sports CenterJohn Simko ................... Town of GreenvilleRobert Thompson .............. Androscoggin Valley Council of GovernmentsEverett Towle .................. Small Woodland Owners Association of MaineStephen Wight ................. Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski CenterRobin Zinchuk ................. Bethel Area Chamber of CommerceNew HampshireGeorge Bald ................... New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic DevelopmentStephen Barba ................. Plymouth State UniversityStephen D. Blackmer* ........... Northern Forest CenterPaul Bofinger* ................. Northern Forest CenterPhil Bryce* .................... New Hampshire Division of Forests and LandsThomas Deans ................. The Neil Tillotson TrustCleve Kapala .................. TransCanadaMichael King* .................. North Country CouncilDoris Burke ................... Public Service of New HampshireCathy McDowell. ............... Family Resource Center at GorhamFrumie Selchen. ................ Arts Alliance of Northern New HampshireRacheal Stuart. ................. New Hampshire Charitable FoundationHenry Swan ................... Wagner Forest ManagementJames Tibbetts ................. First Colebrook BankJim Wagner .................... Androscoggin Valley Economic Recovery Corporation- b -

Steering CommitteeNew YorkJohn Bartow ................... Tug Hill CommissionTom Both* .................... Adirondack HarvestCali Brooks. ................... Adirondack Community TrustJohn Collins* .................. Residents Committee to Protect the AdirondacksRobert K. Davies ............... NYS Department of Environmental ConservationLinda Gibbs*. .................. Tug Hill CommissionSteve Erman ................... Adirondack Park AgencyBrian Houseal. ................. Adirondack CouncilElizabeth Lowe. ................ NYS Department of Environmental ConservationArt Lussi ...................... Crowne Plaza Resort and Adirondack Park AgencyKatie Malinowski* ............... Tug Hill CommissionTerry Martino . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adirondack North Country AssociationJohn W. Mills, Ph.D. ............. Paul Smith’s CollegeJ.R. Risley ..................... Adirondack Economic Development CorporationAnn Ruzow Holland ............. Community Planning AdvisorFrancis E. Sheehan, Jr. ........... NYS Department of Environmental ConservationZoe Smith. .................... Wildlife Conservation Society, Adirondack ProgramLani Ulrich .................... CAP-21Ross Whaley ................... Adirondack Landowners AssociationPhoto: Ned TherrienVermontMichele Boomhower ............ Lamoille County Planning CommissionJim Davis. ..................... Northeastern Vermont Development AssociationGeorge Gay ................... Northern Forest AllianceKay Henry. .................... Northern Forest Canoe TrailJolinda LaClair ................. USDA Rural DevelopmentTim Maker*. ................... Biomass Energy Resource CenterWilliam Sayre .................. A. Johnson LumberSteven Sinclair. ................. Department of Forests, Parks and RecreationDavid Sleeper* ................. Hubbard Brook Research FoundationStephen Webster ............... AttorneyJonathan Wood ................ Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation*Steering Committee Alternates and Project Advisors- c -

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Economic Resurgence in the Northern ForestRegional Strategy andRecommendations of theTable of ContentsExecutive Summary ..........................................2Regional Context & Vision. ....................................4Northern Forest Trends: Challenge and Opportunity ................9Long-Term Strategies for the Northern ForestProtect and Enhance the Region’s Assets ..................13Expand Enterprise ................................... 16Coordinate and Advocate as a Region. ................... 18A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten Recommendations ..........20Telecommunications .................................22Creativity and Entrepreneurship. ........................23Transportation Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Regional Marketing .................................. 25Local Purchasing and Ownership. .......................26Regional Assets .....................................27Renewable Energy ...................................28Forested Landscape ..................................30Public-private Regional Coordination and Advocacy .........31Photos: Jerry & Marcy MonkmanFederal Investment ...................................32Putting the Strategy into Action; Contact information .............. 35Glossary of Acronyms ....................................... 35Notes, Captions ...........................................36- 1 -

Executive SummaryThe Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI)began in 2006 with the goal of developing “communityand economic development strategies across the region toreinvigorate the rural economies of the Northern Forest.”The initiative was created by the governors of the Maine,New Hampshire, Vermont and New York in partnershipwith the Northern Forest Center and the North CountryCouncil of New Hampshire.I. The Case for Northern ForestRegional ActionUrgent Challenges The Northern Forest is at aunique and important point of transition. The aging ofthe region’s industrial and tourism infrastructure andpopulation, the opening of new areas of forest economyaround the world, the dawn of the information era, soaringenergy costs, climate change and new demands on theregion’s natural resources are all combining to create newand challenging realities for the people, communities,economies and landscape of the region.New Opportunities The global trends that bringchallenge are also creating great economic opportunitiestied to the region’s character and ecosystem. Landscape,quality of life and culture are the new comparativeadvantage for rural communities, and the Northern Forestis rich with these assets. Potential new products andservices from the landscape and the region’s proximityto major markets hold great promise for businessdevelopment. A high concentration of colleges anduniversities can serve to generate new ideas and train newworkers for these opportunities.New Approaches These new realities require newapproaches. Unlike an earlier era, when large corporationsprovided financial capital to take advantage of the region’snatural capital to build business, wealth and employmentin the Northern Forest, a next generation of economicdevelopment in the Northern Forest will be led by smallerbusinesses and civic organizations. In an increasinglyglobal marketplace, however, the region’s leaders mustinvest extra effort to inform, connect and provide financialsupport and infrastructure to enable these ventures tothrive. This capacity building is the key to rebuilding theeconomic future of the Northern Forest.Regional Advantages The region’s governors, itscongressional delegation, and numerous business, civicand non-profit leaders have recognized the value of actingtogether to create a critical mass of leadership, ideas andresources for the betterment of all. A key role for regionalaction is to provide critical capacity to make it easier andmore rewarding for enterprises and initiatives of all sortsto thrive, while safeguarding and enhancing the sharedresources—human and natural—that support and enrichthe people and communities of the region.II. Shared Vision and StrategyFor the past two years, leaders from across the NorthernForest region have come together to understand thecommon challenges and opportunities facing the regionand develop a shared vision and strategy for revitalizingthe Northern Forest economy and sustaining the longtermhealth of its people and lands. Together, they havedeveloped a strategy to secure a future in which:The Northern Forest region is globally recognized forits vital regional economies and communities and theunique culture and ecosystem that support them.To reach this vision, the SEI participants have agreed toa long-term, integrated strategy that calls for action inthree areas:ÎÎ Protect and enhance the region’s assets:Invest in the people, communities, infrastructureand natural resource base that are the foundationof the Northern Forest’s distinct regional characterand competitive economic advantage.- 2 -

Executive SummaryÎÎExpand Enterprise: Create a fertile environmentfor workforce, entrepreneurial and businessdevelopment and increase the region’s ability todevelop and commercialize new products and servicesthat capitalize on the assets of the Northern Forest.ÎÎ Coordinate and Advocate as a Region:Increase the capacity of the region’s individuals andinstitutions to anticipate and adapt to change andimplement new initiatives by working and coordinatingas a region to understand and advocate for regionalinterests and priorities.III. Ten Recommendations forUrgent ActionTo begin implementation of the shared strategy, the SEIcommittee recommends the following ten actions asimmediate priorities. In keeping with the model of theSEI, the committee recommends that these actions becoordinated regionally and include public, private and nonprofitsector leadership. The members of the committeestand ready to work with the governors to take these ideasto action.GGG GG G Telecommunications : Deliver reliable, affordableand cutting-edge high-speed telecommunications toall Northern Forest communities through increasedpublic-private investment.Creativity and Entrepreneurship: Developprograms to support creative and entrepreneurialpeople in building businesses that are based on andenhance the natural and cultural resources of theNorthern Forest.Transportation Infrastructure: Developglobally competitive, energy efficient, multimodal public/private transportation systems tointerconnect the region and its communities andsupport regional, national and international trade.GG GG GG GG GG GG Regional Marketing: Develop coordinatedmarketing of Northern Forest products,businesses, tourism services, amenities andattractions, while maintaining individual statebranding efforts.Local Purchasing & Ownership: Supportactivities that encourage Northern Forestresidents, visitors, institutions and governmentto “buy local.”Renewable Energy: Launch a four-state,Renewable Energy Initiative that encouragesenergy efficiency, increases public and privateinvestment in a diversity of energy systems,maximizes community wealth and complementsstewardship of the region’s natural resources.Regional Assets: Invest in research, trackingand forecasting of natural, social and economicassets in order to make informed decisions tounderstand, anticipate and adapt to changes inthe region.Forested Landscape: Maintain forests toprotect and enhance the essential economic andecological services derived from the landscapeand to capture value from emerging markets.Federal Investment: Maintain and growfunding for new and existing federal programsthat serve the long-term strategies outlined inthis report; analyze and identify opportunitiesto more explicitly align existing federal programswith these strategies.GG Public-private Regional Coordination& Advocacy: Establish a coordinating bodyof the Northern Forest states to supportimplementation of the recommendations outlinedin this report, continue regional coordination andaddress future challenges and opportunities.- 3 -

Regional Context & VisionThe Northern Forest region is home to the people,communities and ecosystems of the largest intactforest in the eastern United States. Its story is oneof people continually adapting to the challenges andopportunities presented by the natural world and bythe local, national and global forces that have led todramatic economic, environmental and culturaltransformations.Home to more than 2 million people, this nationallysignificant region stretches nearly 400 miles from NewYork’s Tug Hill Plateau and Adirondack Mountains,across Lake Champlain and Vermont’s NortheastKingdom and northern Green Mountains, NewHampshire’s North Country and White Mountains andMaine’s Western Mountains, Highlands, St. John Valleyand Downeast Lakes to the border with Canada.It is a region tied together by boreal and northernhardwood forests, wetlands, lakes, rolling hills andrugged mountains.The human cultures, economies and communitiesof the Northern Forest are tied inextricably to thecharacter of the land. For centuries, the forest hasunderpinned the region’s economy, served as thesource of its people’s identity and lore, and providedrecreation, retreat and renewal for residents and visitorsalike. In regional, national and even internationalhistory, the Northern Forest region has served asboth an experiment and a model for sustaining landand people, together, as a land of industry, retreat,stewardship and change.- 4 -

Regional Context & VisionShared VisionThe Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative isgrounded in the belief that the natural and cultural assetsof the Northern Forest can once again be the basis fora vibrant rural economy. Building on the pedigree of theregional initiatives that have preceded it, the SEI offersthe following vision for the region:The Northern Forest region will beglobally recognized for its uniquecharacter and ecosystem that supportvital regional economies and communities.Three guiding principles have been identified to supportthe vision for the Northern Forest:Build Sustainable WealthIdentify economic revitalization strategies that build notonly the economic wealth of the Northern Forest, butsocial and environmental wealth as well.Photos, top and inset: Jerry & Marcy Monkman; bottom right: Carl Heilman, IIWork Through NetworksCreate a critical mass for action by working togetheracross boundaries and building on goodwork already in place.Think and Act as a RegionDistinguish the region globally andsolve problems locally by increasing theregion’s collective financial, political andinstitutional capacity.- 5 -

Regional Context & Shared VisionThe guiding principles support a vision of theNorthern Forest which will be characterized by healthycommunities, healthy economies, healthy ecosystemsand a healthy region.The SEI has developed a blueprint to take the first stepsin securing a future characterized by:Healthy CommunitiesÎÎ Communities where people of all ages andbackgrounds choose to live because they canenjoy economic opportunity, good health andhealth care, access to the land, connections tofamily and friends and a rich cultural life.ÎÎ Communities that value education; where aquality education reflects the character, assetsand needs of local places and people, and raiseslevels of learning.Healthy EconomiesÎÎ Strong, diverse place-based economies thatprovide living wage jobs, attract investmentand enable people to create and buy localgoods and services.ÎÎ An innovative and resilient economy, awareof its position in the global economy and quickto respond to new opportunities.ÎÎ A revitalized forest industry recognizedworldwide for ecologically sound practices,innovative products and skilled craftsmanship.ÎÎ World-class tourism and recreation rooted inexperiences of a spectacular natural landscapeand the region’s unique stories, history, cultures,arts and traditions.ÎÎ High civic engagement, where citizens from allpoints of view participate in community affairsand planning, where voters turn out in highnumbers and volunteerism is strong.ÎÎ Communities whose physical infrastructureprovides sound and safe places to live and amodern foundation for economic revitalization.ÎÎ People and communities with the capacityto face the local, regional and globalchallenges presented to them.- 6 -Jerry & Marcy Monkman

Regional Context & VisionHealthy EcosystemsÎÎ A forest land ownership and conservationethic that respects the contributions andcomplementary roles and varieties of private andpublic forests and values the full set of economic,aesthetic and ecological values they provide.ÎÎ Concentrated human settlements that providediverse human experiences in a forestedlandscape.ÎÎ Working landscapes and a mix of landownershippatterns, sizes and uses that safeguard the land,water, air, plants and animals and all of nature’secological processes.Healthy RegionÎÎ New ways of working together across allsectors of the economy to build an environmentof innovation.ÎÎ Pride in a distinct regional identity rooted in ashared landscape, history, culture and economythat transcends political boundaries.ÎÎ Regional infrastructure that providescommunication and transportation systems,social networks and “green infrastructure” thatcan link places within the region to each otherand to the world beyond.ÎÎ A commitment to working together across thesocial, economic and geographic barriers that sooften divide people.“SEI has given us all a sense of hope and directionfor the future. It is devastating to lose theeconomic base of a community and this projecthas offered tools and insights into what the nextsteps could be for Northern New England.”Catherine P. McDowell, Executive DirectorFamily Resource Center at Gorham- 7 -

“Being involved with SEI has made me realizewe must be more proactive in Regional andlocal planning. It’s very important to haveinterdisciplinary planning to achieve the goals.”Everett L. Towle, PresidentSmall Woodland Owners of Maine- 8 -

Northern Forest Trends: Challenge and OpportunityForest region face a new world—one substantiallydifferent from the one in which the economicfoundations of the region developed over 100 yearsago. The aging of the region’s industrial and tourisminfrastructure and population, the opening of newareas of forest economy around the world, the dawnof the information era, the demand for new sources ofenergy, the rise of “green” markets, climate change andnew demands on the region’s natural resources are allcombining to create new and challenging realities forthe people, communities, economies and landscapeof the region.New realities require new approaches. Simply stayingthe course will not lead the region to economicsuccess, nor will it maintain the quality of place sovalued in the Northern Forest.A successful economic strategy must focus on areaswhere the region has a comparative edge nationallyand internationally, building on internal assets toadapt to externally driven change. Northern Forestcommunities must create an economic foundationnot just for short-term success, but also for long-termresilience in the face of constant change.products and the region’s proximity to major marketshold great promise for business development. A highconcentration of colleges and universities can serveto generate new ideas and train new workers forthese opportunities. So while the region has manychallenges, it also has many assets with which to work.Third, capacity to capitalize on new opportunitiesis hampered by leadership development,information, infrastructure and investment challenges.At the core of successful adaptation must be healthypeople and vibrant communities, equipped with theknowledge and tools they need in this rapidly changingworld. Current realities in this regard portray a socialand economic starting point in need of shoring up, andcapacity to significantly change that is beyond reach ofany single community or state working on its own. Yetin contrast to the external trends over which the regionhas little control, addressing these capacity gaps is wellwithin the grasp of the people of the region.Second, the alignment of national and globaltrends with the assets of the Northern Forestregion creates great economic opportunities tied tothe region’s character and ecosystem. Landscape,quality of life and culture are the new comparativeadvantages for rural communities, and the NorthernForest is rich with these assets. The region hasa relatively high concentration in creative classoccupations, an indicator of the attraction and qualityof a place. Potential new products and services fromthe landscape—forest and agricultural products,renewable energy, tourism experiences and ecosystemservices—coupled with growing demand for these- 10 -

Northern Forest Trends: Challenge and OpportunityUnlike an earlier era, when large corporations suchas International Paper and Great Northern Paperprovided financial capital to take advantage of theregion’s natural capital to build business, wealth andemployment in the Northern Forest, a next generationof economic development in the Northern Forest willbe led by smaller, locally grown businesses and civicorganizations. In an increasingly global marketplace,however, the region’s leaders must invest extra effortto inform, connect and provide financial support andinfrastructure to enable these ventures to thrive. Thiscapacity building is the key to rebuilding the economicfuture of the Northern Forest.Small communities and small businesses—especiallyin a rural area like the Northern Forest—needassistance and support to provide these capacities. Bycollaborating regionally, Northern Forest communitiesand businesses can create a critical mass of leadership,ideas and resources to advance significant economicchange and achieve success in a global marketplace.The region finds three specific advantages inworking together:ÎÎ Shared challenges and opportunities:Northern Forest communities have acommonality that is far stronger east-west thanit is north-south. As noted in the Northern ForestLands Council (NFLC) 10 th anniversary report,they have “much more to learn from each other’ssuccesses and much to gain from coordinatingtheir respective action.”ÎÎGeographic scale: In a global economy,regions are rapidly becoming the locus ofeffective economic development due to theirability to offer a diversity of people, knowledgeinstitutions, land types and services tobusinesses 1 —a diversity that individual ruralcommunities and even states often cannotmatch.ÎÎRegional voice: Northern Forest communitiesare physically isolated from the centers offinancial and political power and influence.Yet the region working together can enlist theattention of four governors, eight U.S. senatorsand eight U.S. House members. For visibilityand funding, this bloc can be of much greatervalue than the representatives of one state aloneseeking backing for a limited goal.Photo: Carl Heilman, IIA key role for regional action is to provide criticalcapacity to make it easier and more rewarding forenterprises and initiatives of all sorts to thrive, whilesafeguarding and enhancing the shared resources—human and natural—that support and enrich thepeople and communities of the region.- 11 -

“The recommendations of the SustainableEconomy Initiative have been instrumental inguiding the investments of the Neil and LouiseTillotson Fund. Our grantmaking in the areas ofworkforce development, entrepreneurship andregional institution building is directly informedby the SEI strategy. This gives us much greaterconfidence that the resources of the Neil andLouise Tillotson Fund are truly supporting thepriorities identified by local leaders in the region.”Racheal StuartSenior Program Director, Neil and Louise Tillotson FundNew Hampshire Charitable Foundation- 12 -

Long-Term Strategies forthe Northern ForestPhoto: Dean AbramsonThe charge given to the members of the SEI SteeringCommittee by the governors of the four states wasto “develop and implement community andeconomic development strategies across the regionto reinvigorate the rural economies of the NorthernForest.” To develop these strategies, the committeeused a consensus-based decision process that builtupon the collective experience of its members.The members participated in stakeholder meetingsin each state and received primary and secondaryresearch on the Northern Forest region’s economy,communities and environment. Economic Resurgencein the Northern Forest presents specificrecommendations to strengthen the region’seconomy while ensuring the distinct characterof the region’s communities and natural resources.The strategy is an integrated set ofrecommendations to achieve the followinglong-term goals:Î Î Protect and Enhance the Region’sAssets: Invest in the people, communities,infrastructure and natural resource base thatare the foundation of the Northern Forest’sdistinct regional character and competitiveeconomic advantage.Î Î Expand Enterprise: Create a fertileenvironment for workforce, entrepreneurialand business development and increase theregion’s ability to develop and commercializenew products and services that capitalize onthe assets of the Northern Forest.Î Î Coordinate and Advocate as a Region:Increase the capacity of the region’s individualsand institutions to anticipate and adapt tochange and implement new initiatives byworking and coordinating as a region tounderstand and advocate for regional interestsand priorities.From the start, the SEI has had a long-term focus, andthe strategies and recommendations that follow reflectthe reality that securing significant and positive changein the Northern Forest economy will take decades. Theintent is to have the strategic blueprint for the regionstand the test of time. In a dynamic world, the specificnear-term needs and opportunities facing the NorthernForest will continually evolve. Many actors and manyactions at many scales will be required to implement thisstrategy. Yet the blueprint’s essence—protect the region’sassets, develop and sell products and services derivedfrom those assets, and work as a region to anticipateand adapt to change—will allow the Northern Forestregion to thrive. The goals, objectives and action itemsthat follow in this section all represent essential buildingblocks of a healthy and vibrant region.Protect and Enhance theRegion’s AssetsFundamental to the long-term vitality of the NorthernForest economy and its ability to compete in the 21 stcentury is the stewardship and conservation of thecommunities and natural assets of the region. Smalltowns and main streets, offering a wide range of servicesand goods, are characteristic throughout the NorthernForest. The abundant forest land which surrounds thesecommunities is what is unique about the Northern Forest.These combined attributes will distinguish the region in anational and global marketplace.Communities are at the front-line of adaptation in theNorthern Forest. While community development isinherently local, there are steps that can be taken ona regional level to build and support local communitycapacity. The ability to effectively meet the challengeswhich face the Northern Forest region will require acritical mass of leadership, ideas and resources greaterthan any one community or state can generate alone.- 13 -

Long-Term Strategies for the Northern ForestStewardship and conservation of the region’s forests hasbeen a focus of regional action for a century, and theseefforts must continue. The forest defines the region andis the region’s biggest asset. The forest’s character andproductive capacity are threatened by a variety of factors.Conserving the forest resource for its full spectrum ofuses will conserve the region’s comparative economicedge and the underpinning of its culture and heritage.Conservation will also contribute to a larger societaleffort to slow and correct the effects of climate changeand ecosystem degradation.Objective: Invest in comprehensivecommunity development to ensure thatNorthern Forest communities continueto be attractive places to live and workin the changing global economy.Actions:ÎÎCommunity Leadership: Provide communityleaders with tools to develop knowledge andideas and build networks that connect them witheach other across the region.Î Î Planning: Develop and provide tools andinformation to support Northern Forestcommunities as they plan for their futures inuncertain times.ÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎInfrastructure: Ensure sound and effectiveinfrastructure to support human needs, moveinformation and commerce, and connect peopleto one another.Education and Health Care: Provide accessto quality education and health care for NorthernForest residents.Affordable Housing: Ensure the availabilityof quality and affordable housing in NorthernForest communities.Community Asset Building: Grow stablecommunities by maintaining and growingprograms that build assets and financial stabilityfor Northern Forest workers and families.Funding: Maintain and grow the public andprivate funding streams that provide catalyticresources for community development andinfrastructure.- 14 -

Long-Term Strategies for the Northern Forest: Protect and Enhance the Region’s AssetsObjective: Manage and conserve thecharacter and productive capacity of theforest ecosystem to protect and enhancethe essential economic and ecologicalservices derived from the landscape.Actions:Î Î Conservation: Continue public and privateinvestment in the conservation and foreststewardship efforts catalyzed by the work of theoriginal Northern Forest Lands Council.*ÎÎ Forest Management & Stewardship:Support private landowners in practicingsustainable forest management and goodstewardship while encouraging public access toprivate land for recreational purposes.*ÎÎÎÎWater: Steward and protect the water resourcesof the Northern Forest as a foundation forhuman well-being and as an economic resource.Science & Monitoring: Invest in scientific andconsistent monitoring of the region’s ecologicalassets to anticipate threats and inform responses.*Recommendations of the Northern Forest Lands Council10 th Anniversary ForumPhotos: Jerry & Marcy Monkman- 15 -

Long-Term Strategies for the Northern ForestExpand EnterpriseThe Northern Forest is rich with potential for neweconomic enterprise tied to its natural and communityassets. Yet times have changed from an earlier era,when the largest paper companies in the world suchas International Paper and Great Northern Paperprovided financial capital to take advantage of theregion’s natural capital and built business, wealthand employment in the Northern Forest. The nextgeneration of economic development in the NorthernForest will be led by smaller, locally grown businessesand civic organizations. As with earlier generations,the region’s leaders must invest extra effort to create afertile environment for entrepreneurship and providethe financial investment and workforce that will enablethese new ventures to thrive. Such investment willensure the region’s competitiveness.Leveraging the assets of the Northern Forest into asignificant and sustainable expansion of economicenterprise will require actions towards two objectives:Objective: Expand programs andinitiatives to research and developNorthern Forest products and services,train a modern workforce, and attractand develop entrepreneurial talent.Actions:ÎÎÎÎÎÎResearch and Development: Enhance theregion’s capacity to conduct state of the artresearch and development.Incubation and Commercialization: Facilitatethe transfer of research and ideas between researchinstitutions, communities and businesses.Business Climate: Create a business-friendlyenvironment that enables entrepreneurs andbusinesses to take new products and services in tothe market.ÎÎ Workforce & EntrepreneurialDevelopment: Prepare Northern Forest youthand workers with flexible and transferable skillssuited to emerging industries.- 16 -

Long-Term Strategies for the Northern ForestCoordinate and Advocateas a RegionAchieving and maintaining economic vitality in theNorthern Forest region will require constant and nimbleadaptation to new economic, social and environmentaltrends. Regional challenges require regional strategiesand coordinated implementation that build on thecollective strengths of Northern Forest communitiesand the complementary roles of private, public andnon-profit sector leadership. Designated leadership andcapacity for coordinating these roles across the fourstates are essential.The people of the Northern Forest are already adaptingto change, and supporting actions already going onin the region is a second key component of buildingan adaptive regional economy. In addition to regionalcoordination and leadership, three capacities—information, investment and innovation—can beeffectively nurtured on a regional level to support existingefforts, solve problems and build capacity locally.Advocating as a region is a powerful means for securingthe resources and policies that can support thesecapacities. For two years the SEI committee has wrestledwith the question of how to elevate the prospects ofthis relatively small region now that it operates in aglobal economy. The committee has concluded that ourgreatest opportunity for economic success is to bandtogether as a region across our four states; to learn fromeach other, to support our mutual goals and advocatetogether for the Northern Forest. When communitiesand citizens join together across state lines, it createsmore power and talent and a stronger voice to benefiteveryone in the region.Objective: Increase the ability ofindividuals and institutions acrossthe region to anticipate and adaptto change, implement new initiativesand coordinate activities across theNorthern Forest.Actions:ÎÎ Regional Coordination & Leadership:Establish a public-private partnership to link andsupport government, community, business andnon-profit leadership across the four NorthernForest states; coordinate the implementation ofthe SEI strategies; and provide coordinated andenduring ability to respond to future challengesand opportunities.ÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎRegional Policy Advocacy: Work acrossstate boundaries to advocate on national andinternational policy issues that impact all fourstates, such as trade and border policy.Information & Knowledge: Increasethe availability of research, best practicesand market data required to solve problemsand share information and ideas across theNorthern Forest.Investment: Present a unified case for publicand private investment in the region to catalyzeinnovation and new opportunities.Innovation and Adaptation: Alignleadership, information and investment tosupport the region’s ability to innovate andadapt to ongoing change.Photo: Jerry & Marcy Monkman- 18 -

Designated Leadership forFollow-throughNorthern Forest history bears out the importance ofdesignated leadership for follow-through on regionalinitiatives. In 1994 the Northern Forest Lands Councildisbanded after its landmark work. While privateinitiative picked up on some recommendations andspurred some public action, many of the ideaswere only partially—or never—implemented. 2Thus a central recommendation of the SEIcommittee to the region’s governors isto formalize a framework to continuethe coordination function acrossthe four states and support theimplementation of the long-termstrategies presented here.“SEI builds on the common experiencesand opportunities of our east-westconnections and establishes the need forincreased public and private investmentin the Northern Forest. It has beenimportant for the Adirondack NorthCountry Association to band togetherwith other Northern Forest communitiesto work toward our goals for economicand community development andenvironmental stewardship.”Terry Martino, Executive DirectorAdirondack North Country Association

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsPhotos: ShutterstockG Creativity andEntrepreneurshipDevelop programs to support creative andentrepreneurial people in building businessesthat are based on and enhance the naturaland cultural resources of the Northern Forest.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ The region is perceived as being inhospitable fornew and even existing businesses.ÎÎ The region’s natural, cultural and other resourceshold increasing potential for economic use in viewof emerging market opportunities.ÎÎ The region’s economy is transitioning from a reliance ona small number of large employers to reliance on greaternumbers of small- and medium-sized businesses.ÎÎ Developing and attracting the entrepreneurial talentand creative workforce needed to create and runsmall- and medium-sized enterprises is critical anda current area of weakness.ÎÎ What is needed are new businesses that are basedon the assets of the Northern Forest region, andthat are compatible with maintaining and enhancingthose assets.What Needs to HappenÎÎBusiness climate:Review and adjust public policiesthat affect business development with the intentionof facilitating development of new and existingenterprises that generate maximum economic valuefrom sustainable use of the region’s natural, cultural andother resources without damaging quality of place—recognizing that quality of place is among the region’sprimary economic assets.- 23 -ÎÎÎÎÎÎÎÎIncubators: Support and create both virtualand bricks and mortar incubators in the regionto leverage existing research and developmentassets through commercialization of emergingproducts and technologies as they addressnew market opportunities related to theregion’s assets.Innovation: Create and support a system of“Innovation Networks” and EntrepreneurialClusters to better link businesses to each otheras well as to academic and non-profit innovationefforts in core sectors of the Northern Forest’sasset-based economy, including:Sustainable and/or Green TourismRenewable EnergyEcosystem Services: Carbon and WaterAgricultureWood ProductsCapital: Expand existing financing programsand opportunities for individuals to invest inlocal private companies. Include considerationof effective capital support for micro enterprises.Talent Development: Create a partnershipamong educational institutions, businesses andnon-profits in the region to connect curriculaand workforce training with emerging industriesand entrepreneurial opportunities in the region.Promote asset-based, entrepreneurialapproaches among residents of the region,especially young people.

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG TransportationInfrastructureDevelop globally competitive, energyefficient, multi-modal public/privatetransportation systems to interconnectthe region and its communitiesand support regional, national andinternational trade.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ The federally sponsored Can-Am Connectionsinitiative 3 has found that the Northern Forestregion and adjacent Canada are not meetingthe necessary land, sea and air connectionsto compete globally including: insufficienttransportation networks, high transportationcosts and a lack of a regional perspective.ÎÎ The region relies more heavily on trucks andless on rail than the rest of U.S. and Canadaas a whole, and the region’s truck costs are onaverage 45-65% higher than national averages.ÎÎ In a time of dramatic rises in fuel costs, access toalternative forms of transportation will becomeincreasingly important for moving peopleand goods to, within,and from the region.Inadequate transportationimpedes access to jobsand critical services suchas health care.What Needs to HappenThe SEI committee recommends a concerted publicand private effort to invest in regional transportationenhancements and upgrade land, sea and airtransportation, and to support economic enterprise andcultural connections in ways that support the region’srural character and are sensitive to ecological integrity.Actions should include:Î Î Freight Rail: Rehabilitate and re-connect theeast-west freight rail line connecting the NorthernForest regions of New York, Vermont, NewHampshire and Maine.ÎÎÎÎÎÎHigh Speed Passenger Rail: Exploreopportunities to connect the Northern Forestregion with southern New England and southernNew York and areas further south.Funding: Maintain and grow state and federalfunding for regional transportation infrastructureand community transportation enhancementsincluding walkable communities, bike trails,scenic byways and water trails. Focus particularattention on the re-authorization of the federaltransportation bill.Trucking Regulations: Establish consistenttrucking regulations, including truck weights and size,to facilitate trade within and through the region.ÎÎ Existing transportationinfrastructure is failingand crumbling at anaccelerating rate.- 24 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG Regional MarketingDevelop coordinated marketing ofNorthern Forest products, businesses,tourism services, amenities andattractions, while maintaining individualstate branding efforts.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Consumers worldwide are looking forecologically conscious, “green,” and sustainableproducts and services, and there is greatpotential to align development and marketingof Northern Forest products with that demand.ÎÎ The region has great physical proximity tolarge retail markets in the northeast U.S. andsoutheastern Canada. Over 70 million peoplelive within a one day drive.What Needs to HappenÎ Promotion:Î Support “niche” promotional effortsthat bridge business, product and tourism interestsacross the Northern Forest, with an initial focuson:Wood Industries and ProductsNature-based RecreationCulture & HeritageAgricultural ProductsCraft /handmade products Adventure recreation (e.g, Northern ForestCanoe Trail, Appalachian Trail, regional skiing)Î Î Coordination: Create (or designate) centralspokes-agency to tell the story of the NorthernForest and link to all SEI member websites.ÎÎ Due to the rural nature of the Northern Forest,the region must work hard to make its assetsknown in the global marketplace and createa competitive scale of activity.Photos, left: Dean Abramson; right: Jerry & Marcy MonkmanÎÎ The Northern Forest states and many of theirsub-regions have invested heavily in theirrespective brands. Linking these efforts throughmarketing strategies that respect existing brandswill enable the region to sell a broader spectrumof products and services.ÎÎ Existing regional marketing efforts such as theNorthern Forest Canoe Trail and Handmade inthe Northern Forest offer models to build upon.ÎÎ Interest in green certification chain-of-custodyforest products, particularly from overseas, isbeginning to exceed supply.- 25 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG Local Purchasing andOwnershipSupport activities that encourageNorthern Forest residents, visitors,institutions and government to“buy local.”Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Local ownership and local purchasing isproven to provide a significant economicmultiplier affect in communities—dollars stayin the region longer.What Needs to HappenÎÎ Government and InstitutionalPurchasing: Secure commitments fromstate governments and large institutions inthe region to seek and purchase from localsuppliers whenever possible.ÎÎBuy Local Advocacy: Enhancepromotional efforts by government andprivate sector leaders to highlight localpurchasing efforts and results.ÎÎ Government and large institutions such ashospitals, educational institutions, prisons andmilitary installations are significant and steadyconsumers of multiple products that couldbe provided in-region instead of via imports.Notable opportunities include energy, foodand wood products such as furniture andbuilding materials.ÎÎ In-region use of indigenous resources can havepositive impacts on food and energy security,food safety, carbon footprint and fuel costs.- 26 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG Regional AssetsInvest in research, tracking andforecasting of natural, social andeconomic assets in order to makeinformed decisions to understand,anticipate and adapt to changesin the region.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Keeping a close eye on the health of the region’sassets is key to ensuring that they remain in placeas a foundation for the region.ÎÎ The ecological integrity of the Northern Forest’sterrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is threatenedby climate change, acid rain, mercury pollution,invasive species and diseases, salinization ofwaterways and fragmentation of the landscape.ÎÎ Communities are threatened by theoutflow of young people, low educationalattainment and lack of access to health care,telecommunications, etc.What Needs to HappenÎÎFunding:ÎÎÎÎSecure consistent public and privatefunding for tracking and forecasting of theregion’s assets. Specifically, 1. Natural assets,including the Forest Inventory and AnalysisProgram and acid rain programs; 2. Socialassets including private investment; 3. Economicassets including Economic DevelopmentAdministration and Department of Laborfunding, State Departments of EmploymentSecurity, Workforce Investment Act funds, etc.Data Collection and Sharing: Form aregional roundtable and/or conference forperiodic sharing and coordination of datacollection and research on the health of theNorthern Forest region.Knowledge transfer: Use data and lessonslearned to enable the public and private sectorsto make and implement well-informed decisions.Photos, from left: WREN, WoodNet, Jerry & Marcy MonkmanÎÎ The economic health of the region is challengedthrough the loss of manufacturing, lack ofqualified workforce and low availability of livablewage and benefited jobs.ÎÎ Good and consistent data are critical tomonitoring water and air quality and foresthealth, identifying stewardship and conservationpriorities, correcting problems and capitalizingon opportunities as they arise. Yet public fundingfor tracking, inventorying and forecasting isfrequently in danger.- 27 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG Renewable EnergyLaunch a four-state, Renewable EnergyInitiative that encourages energyefficiency, increases public and privateinvestment in a diversity of energysystems, maximizes community wealthand complements stewardship of theregion’s natural resources.ÎÎ Trends highlight the negative attributes to thelocal community of a pure natural resourceextraction model and the resulting imbalancecreated in economic and environmental arenas.ÎÎ Renewable energy producers are eager to enterthe region; the region must be proactive in itsapproach to energy issues to ensure local benefit.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Fossil fuel purchases drain immense wealth fromthe Northern Forest region—an estimated $6billion for imported fuel in 2006. Stemming evena portion of this outflow will keep more money inthe region to serve other needs.ÎÎ High energy costs are a barrier to businesslocation or expansion in the region. TheNorthern Forest has some of the highest costenergy in the contiguous U.S.ÎÎ The region has several commercial scale,indigenous and renewable energy resources—wood, wind, water and solar. Increasing bothlocal production of renewable energy andefficiency will provide a much greater degreeof economic return and energy security for theNorthern Forest, and make a contribution toglobal mitigation of climate change.ÎÎ Establishing the region as a hub of renewableenergy research and development and use cancreate jobs and be a major attractor for growth,as “green” practices, communities and vendorsbecome more important to destination andbuying decisions of consumers, touristsand businesses.- 28 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsWhat Needs to HappenThe SEI Steering Committee recommends that the fourNorthern Forest governors, in consultation with eachother and private-sector stakeholders named below,commit specific funds per state and the time of keyagency staff to a one-year effort to develop a regionalrenewable energy strategy. We suggest that theRegional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) can serveas a model to affect multi-state coordinated effort anda potential source of capital for a renewable energyinitiative. This initiative should include:Biomass Energy: Implementation of therecommendations of the Northern ForestBiomass Energy Initiative 4 .Manufacturing and WorkforceDevelopment: Support the developmentof renewable energy and efficiency businesses(manufacturers) and help train workers tomeet the increase in this sector. Public Education: Increase publiceducation programs to strengthen energyefficiency and conservation practices.Capital for Energy Conservation:Expand existing models (e.g. NH surcharges,NY bonding) to provide capital sourcesfor renewable energy development andenergy efficiency.Maximizing community (asset) basedenergy initiatives: Sharing of best practiceson community based energy efforts andincreasing networking and collaborationopportunities in such areas as fuels forschools, etc.RPS and Forests: Refinement of renewableportfolio standards (RPS) in each state to callfor fuels from sustainably managed forests.Renewable Energy Regulation:Harmonization of regulatory frameworks forrenewable energy across the four states.Photos, left: Jerry & Marcy Monkman; right: Ned TherrienEnergy Transmission: Enhancementsto energy transmission systems to supportrenewable energy generation in andtransmission within and from theNorthern Forest.Energy Efficiency: Incentives to buildersand developers (among others) to conductenergy audits, retrofits and utilize newpractices in energy efficient construction.- 29 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG Forested LandscapeMaintain forests to protect and enhancethe essential economic and ecologicalservices derived from the landscape andto capture value from emerging markets.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Extensive parcelization and conversion of foreststo non-forest uses is resulting in the loss of forestland base in the region.ÎÎ While systems to value them are still indevelopment, it is clear that both carbonsequestration capacity and water supplies will betremendous assets in a carbon and water-limitedworld. Efforts now to protect these resourcesand position the region to capitalize on emergingmarkets will pay dividends down the road.ÎÎ The capacity of forests and wood for long-termcarbon sequestration is significant in a worldconcerned with carbon control. In addition totraditional uses, monetization of ecosystemservices such as carbon sequestration mayprovide a new economic use for theregion’s forests.ÎÎ Critical to life, water is already a barrier todevelopment and growth in many parts of theworld, and regions with water supply will hold acompetitive edge. The ecological and economicvalues of the Northern Forest’s water resourcesare an immense asset.What Needs to HappenÎÎRGGI Forest Offsets:Expand the categoryof eligible forestry offsets under the RegionalGreenhouse Gas Initiative to include active forestmanagement and avoided deforestation to supportforest land ownership.ÎÎ Easement and Stewardship Funding:Continue public and private funding for conservationeasements and forest stewardship programs thatprotect and enhance the essential economic andecological services derived from the landscape.ÎÎForest Tax Policy: Establish and support a newcoalition of forest interests to transform policies andensure that investments in silviculture and long-termforest management are more financially rewarding. State policy: Maintain favorable state currentuse property tax programs.* Federal policy: Create favorable federal foresttax policy towards private timberland ownership,particularly allowing for inflation adjustment onthe original cost of timber and assuring favorableestate tax policy to allow for forestlands to bepassed from one generation to the next.**Recommendations of the Northern Forest Lands Council10 th Anniversary ForumÎÎ Aggressive scientific and policy work is requiredto turn these concepts in to true opportunitiesfor the region.ÎÎ Establishing economic values for new forestservices can create a new revenue streamfor landowners.- 30 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsPhoto, left: Jerry & Marcy MonkmanG Public-private RegionalCoordination & AdvocacyEstablish a coordinated body of theNorthern Forest states to supportimplementation of the recommendationsoutlined in this report, continue regionalcoordination and address futurechallenges and opportunities.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Northern Forest communities share commonopportunities and challenges and have “muchmore to learn from each other’s successes andmuch to gain from coordinating their respectiveaction” (NFLC 10 th Anniversary Forum).ÎÎ Regions are the emerging unit of competitivenessin the global economy, and functioning as aneconomic region requires an ability to coordinateeconomic strategy via institutions and networks.ÎÎThe region working together can enlist theattention of four governors, eight U.S. senatorsand eight U.S. House members. For visibilityand funding, this bloc can be of much greatervalue than the representatives of one state aloneseeking backing for a limited goal.ÎÎ Maintaining the momentum of the currentSEI effort will ensure short and long-termeffectiveness.ÎÎ Individual state resources are limited; a regionaleffort can leverage existing resources.What Needs to HappenÎÎ Governors Council on the NorthernForest: The SEI Steering Committee stronglyrecommends that the Northern Forest governorsformally continue to collaborate and coordinatetheir actions related to SEI strategy and otherregional initiatives via a regional advisory group,regional commission, or other mechanism.Regardless of form, this coordinating body shouldrepresent the diversity of the region, includepublic, non-profit and private sector representationand respect locally driven priorities.ÎÎNorthern Forest Network: Develop anumbrella network to coordinate dialogue,exchange best practices, build and supportregional leaders, and create periodic regionalgatherings for the range of networks workingto implement the long-term strategies outlinedin this report.ÎÎ Knowledge and Information Exchange:Create an on-line Northern Forest clearinghouseand toolkit of community development resources,funding opportunities and best practices relatedto implementation of the SEI strategy.ÎÎÎÎStrategic Alignment: Incorporate the goalsand strategies of this report into existing plansand processes across the region.Resources: Establish a diverse funding strategy(public/private) to establish the continuance andaccountable nature of regional coordination andadvocacy efforts.- 31 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsG Federal InvestmentMaintain and grow funding for newand existing federal programs thatserve the long-term strategies outlinedin this report; analyze and identifyopportunities to align existing federalprograms with these strategies.Case for Urgent ActionÎÎ Federal programs are a crucial source offunding for community development, regionalinfrastructure and ecosystem stewardship in therural Northern Forest, where the tax base andstate and private investment alone are seldomenough to fully meet community need.ÎÎ Declining budgets for federal programscombined with a tightening fiscal environment onthe state level are together creating a shortageof catalytic resources in the Northern Forest at atime when those resources are especially needed.ÎÎ In addition to helping Northern Forest peopleand communities in a time of significanteconomic transition, federal investment in theregion can serve a set of national interests. Energy security: The Northern Forest isa source of secure and renewable biomassenergy and a region that currently spendsnearly $6 billion annually on importedfossil fuels.Clean Water: The Northern Forest holdsthe headwaters of the rivers that feed someof the largest population centers in theeastern United States. A National Model: With regionalcollaboration and the SEI strategy in place,the Northern Forest region can be a nationalmodel for other rural regions working tosustain their natural and cultural assets whilesucceeding in a 21 st century economy.ÎÎ Aligning existing programs with current needsand opportunities in the region will help limiteddollars go further and increase the “return” offederal investment.What Needs to HappenÎ Analysis:Î Conduct an analysis of federalprograms (see Community Development,Regional Infrastructure, Ecosystem Stewardshipbelow) to determine the following: Which programs are effectively deliveringfunding to the region (or other regions)and why (to learn from and build on existingsuccesses of securing funding). To what extent they are currently alignedand effectively delivering towards theimplementation of the SEI strategies.Climate Change Mitigation: The regionis rich with forests and wetlands, which are thetwo land cover classes capable of long-termcarbon sequestration, according to the U.N.Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.- 32 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsPhoto: ShutterstockÎ Î Additive Funding: Develop integratedcross program funding approaches to ensurethat critical programs do not compete with orcannibalize one another.Î Î Private Investment: Engage the private sectorto leverage the existing federal resources.Î Î Evaluation: Establish better “feedback”mechanisms that provide information aboutprogram outcomes on a ongoing basis to theprogram customers.ÎÎCoordinated Advocacy: Ensure that theregion’s congressional delegation can speak withone voice in helping to deliver funding to theregion by: Developing integrated 4-state proposalsby program (building on the existingstate level block funding proposals (e.g.Clean Water) and 4-state block funding(e.g. Forest Legacy). Coordinating an annual effort to securestable and expanded federal appropriationsfor key programs serving the Northern Forest.Key Programs Serving theNorthern ForestCommunity Development programs* provideresources and financing options for key communitydevelopment projects, including health care and educationinfrastructure and other community facilities, affordableworkforce housing, water and sewer, and communitycultural amenities.•z (USDA RD) Rural Housing Service- Community Facility Program Grants- Rural Community Development Initative•z (USDA RD) Rural-Business Cooperative Service- Rural Business Enterprise Grants- Rural Business Opportunity Grants- Intermediary Relending Program•z (DOC) Economic Development Administration•z (DHHS) Community Health Centers•z (HUD) Community Development Block GrantProgram•z (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program•z (HUD) Rural Housing and Economic DevelopmentProgram•z (DOL) Community-based Job Training Grants•z (EPA) Brownfields Programs•z (EPA) Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund•z (EPA) Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund•z (SBA) Small Business Development Centers•z (SBA) MicroLoan Programs•z (Treasury) Community Development FinancialInstitutions Fund- New Markets Tax Credit.*See glossary on page 35- 33 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsRegional Infrastructure programs fundtelecommunications and transportation infrastructureenhancements, including broadband deployment androad, rail and air infrastructure in the region.•z (USDA RD) Rural Utilities Service- Water & Waste Disposal Program Grants- Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants- Broadband Telecommunications Grants•z (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration- Airport Improvement Program•z (DOT) Federal Highway Administration- National Scenic Byways Program- Transportation Enhancements Program- Section 5311 Non-urbanized Area FormulaGrant ProgramEcosystem stewardship programs support privateand public landowners and state and federal agenciesin stewarding, monitoring and conserving the NorthernForest ecosystem•z (USDA FS) State & Private Forestry- Forest Stewardship Program- Forest Legacy- Urban and Community Forestry- Economic Action Programs•z (USDA FS) Forest and Rangeland Research- Northeastern States Research Cooperative•z (USDA) Resource Conservation andDevelopment•z (DOI) Land and Water Conservation Fund•z (DOC) Economic Development AdministrationPhotos, left: Jerry & Marcy Monkman; right: Ned Therrien- 34 -

A Northern Forest Action Agenda: Ten RecommendationsPutting the Strategyinto ActionThe Northern Forest Center, the North CountryCouncil, members of the SEI Steering Committee andmany other agencies, organizations and businessesare working to implement the recommendationsof Economic Resurgence in the Northern Forest. Inkeeping with the guiding principles of the initiative, weare working together across boundaries and buildingon good work already in place at the local, state andsub-regional level.More information about implementation of theserecommendations is available from:www.nfsei.netJoe Short, Program Director,Northern Forest Centerjshort@northernforest.org; (603) 229-0679 ext 104Jeff Hayes, Assistant Executive Director,North Country CouncilJhayes@nccouncil.org; (603) 444-6303 ext 22“The local/state partnership in theAdirondacks benefits the state’s naturalresources and tourism as much as it helps thelocal economy. We need that same kind ofpartnership between the federal governmentand the communities of Northern Forest.”Brian Houseal, Executive DirectorAdirondack CouncilGlossary of Federal AgencyAcronymsIn order of appearance in the Federal InvestmentrecommendationsUSDA-RDDOCDHHSHUDDOLEPASBATreasuryDOTUSDA-FSUSDADOIU.S. Dept. of Agriculture–Rural DevelopmentU.S. Dept. of CommerceU.S. Dept. of Health & Human ServicesU.S. Dept. of Housing &Urban DevelopmentU.S. Dept. of LaborU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyU.S. Small Business AdministrationU.S. Dept. of the TreasuryU.S. Dept. of TransportationU.S. Dept. of Agriculture-Forest ServiceU.S. Dept. of AgricultureU.S. Dept. of the Interior- 35 -

End Notes1 Council on Competitiveness, 2005.Measuring Regional Innovation.www.compete.org/publications/detail/212/measuring-regional-innovation2 Northern Forest Lands Council 10th AnniversaryForum Final Report, sponsored by the North EastState Foresters Association, April 25, 2005.Recommendations for the Conservationof the Northern Forest.www.nefainfo.org/nflc10conference.htm3 Maine DOT and the Economic DevelopmentResearch Group, 2007. Northeast CanAmConnections: Integrating the Economyand Transportation.www.canamconnections.com4 Northern Forest Biomass Energy Initiative, 2007.Northern Forest Biomass Energy Action Plan, 2007.www.biomasscenter.org/pdfs/NFBEI.pdfSelect Photo CaptionsCover collage: Waterville, ME, and freight train(© Dean Abramson); cross-country skier, foliage,green certified harvest on Dartmouth College forest,art store in Maine, and Amey Farm in Pittsburg, NH(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page a: Ticonderoga Park in New York (© Carl Heilman, II);downtown Greenville, ME, and sustainable harvest inNew Hampshire (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page c: Collecting sap on a farm in New Hampshire(© Ned Therrien).Page d: Moosehead Lake as seen from the air aboveRockwood, ME, eagle, Main Street St Johnsbury, VT,hardwood logs in Eden, VT (all © Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 5, top: Aerial view of North Stratford, NH(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman); bottom: Fort Ticonderoga, NY(© Carl Heilman, II); bottom left: store in Greenville, ME(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 6-7: Shoreline of Seboeis Lake near Millinocket, ME(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 8: Rumford, ME (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 10-11: Adirondack chairs, Blue Mountain Lake, NY(© Carl Heilman, II).Page 12: Rangeley, ME (© Dean Abramson).Page 14: Island Pond, VT (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 15: Moose River west of Brassua Lake in Maine;scientists study an old growth hardwood forest in the NatureConservancy’s Big Reed Forest Reserve in Maine(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 16: Assembling FM broadcast antenna components atShively Labs in Bridgton, ME (John McKeith); lumber sawyerworking from a computerized control booth (© Ned Therrien).Page 17, top and bottom: A Northern Forest Canoe Trailinformation kiosk and a wind energy turbine (© Jerry &Marcy Monkman); middle: Fall harvest in New York(© Pat & Chuck Blackley).Page 19: Farmland along the Connecticut River in Guildhall, VT,and Northumberland, NH (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 26: Women’s Rural Entrepreneurial Network (WREN)in Bethlehem, NH; hand crafted furniture, MaineWoodNet (© WoodNet).Page 27: Field researchers measure canopy height ona tract of timberland in Kibby Township, ME(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 28: Power lines on private forestland in Jefferson, NH;dam on Aziscohos Lake, ME (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Page 29: Wood chips for fuel (© Ned Therrien).Page 30: Bigelow Preserve, ME (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Inside back cover: The view to the west from the summit ofOld Speck Mountain, ME (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).Back cover collage: Freight train in Maine (© Dean Abramson);covered bridge in New Hampshire (© Ned Therrien);old growth red spruce in Wells, ME (© Jerry & Marcy Monkman);traditional basket making in the Adirondacks (© Carl Heilman, II);welcome sign in Berlin, NH, and the Israel River in Lancaster, NH(© Jerry & Marcy Monkman).- 36 -

“The Sustainable Economy Initiative empowersthe citizens of Northern Forest communities inMaine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New Yorkto compete more effectively in the globaleconomy while sustaining their quality of life inthis vast natural environment.“Stephen P. Barba,Executive Director of University RelationsPlymouth State University“The opportunity to participate in the SEIprocess put me in close touch with individualsand organizations throughout Maine and theNorthern Forest who are deeply committed tocommon environmental, economic and socialgoals for the region. I now explain the work ofMahoosuc Land Trust as a part of a coordinatedeffort stretching across the rural areas of theentire Northeastern US.”Steve Wight, PresidentMahoosuc Land Trust“Addressing issues regionally through SEIinspired me to bring the same thinking to theTrust. I expanded our Master Logger Third Partycertification program so it’s available in sevenstates in the Northeast. This was a direct resultof meeting folks and realizing the need forefficiencies in new models if we are going tosustain them.”“The SEI is the basis for a local project called‘Coos Goes South’ and is used as theframework for discussing the project withNew Hampshire Legislators. The Coos ActionPlan, the Coos Branding Project, theTelecommunication Project and otherexamples demonstrate that the people ofCoos are resilient, as reflected in our abilityto adapt, our commitment to evolve, andour desire to be ingenious.”James E. Tibbetts, President/CEOFirst Colebrook Bank“I find that I can bring the SEI learning anddiscussion into all my work. …I can informthat work by being an integral part of theselarger, more strategic discussions on the futureof the Northern Forest economy.”Robin Zinchuk, Executive DirectorBethel Area Chamber of Commerce“Energy efficiency is a key part of SEI’sRenewable Energy recommendations, and onethat CEI is seeking to incorporate in severalaffordable housing projects in Northern Forestcommunities in Maine.”Keith Bisson, Project DeveloperRural Resources & PolicyCoastal Enterprises, Inc.Sandy Brawders, Executive DirectorTrust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands

The Sustainable Economy Initiative wasjointly managed by the North CountryCouncil and the Northern Forest Center.www.nfsei.netPrinted on FSC certified paper.