"Quality of life" is an attractive draw to Vermont for people who don't have it or can afford more. People want to enjoy Vermont. For decades we have talked about the need for economic development in the Northeast Kingdom. Now that a big development comes along, apparently with the financial resources to do it 'right,' we have a terrible time deciding what 'right' means.
Or could it be we have some built-in resentment against those folks who can afford to live this more affluent lifestyle? Some in the area, particularly landowners, see an opportunity to make a buck, given the rise in land prices. Others apparently feel overwhelmed.
What would the taxes be for a development of this scale and how would the sleepy towns use the windfall? Could it be that some of the buyers of the resort property might consider establishing other business here? Perhaps this is an economic development opportunity that would reach beyond the limits of the resort itself.
We seem to have several models to judge the impact: Stowe; Rutland region; Stratton area; Sugarbush and environs. I think Vermont would be very hard-pressed economically without its resort destinations. Why not Burke, too?
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