Mount Ascutney Regional Commission

Front view of the MARC office building
MARC office building
​Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) member towns include Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Reading, Springfield, Weathersfield, West Windsor, and Windsor.
DUNS Number: 002109768
Mount Ascutney Regional Commission advocates for the needs of our member towns and seeks collaborative strategies to address local, regional, and state opportunities and concerns.

One of our primary purposes is to provide technical services to town officials and to act as a resource for local governments. We help mediate inter-jurisdictional planning and development issues arising between member communities; facilitate discussion and understanding between local and state entities; and develop plans, policies, strategies, and procedures for addressing issues that are regional in scope.


Office Schedule

Most of our staff are still working remotely,
the office is usually open
​Monday through Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 PM
​Phone # 802-674-9201
​
The office will be closed to the public on the
following holidays in 2026:

  • Jan 1st  - New Years Day
  • Jan 19th - Martin Luther King Day 
  • Feb 16th - President's Day
  • May 25th - Memorial Day
  • ​June 19th - Juneteenth
  • July 3rd - Independence Day
  • Sept 7th - Labor Day
  • Oct 12th - Indigenous People’s Day 
  • Nov 11th - Veteran’s Day 
  • Nov 26th & 27th - Thanksgiving
  • Dec 24th & 25th - Christmas

Events​

Surveys​

Youth Programming
at The Edgar May Health and
​Recreation Center 

The Edgar May Health and Recreation Center is exploring new opportunities for middle school youth ages 11–14 focused on leadership, exploration, life skills, personal growth, and building meaningful connections.
 
You can help by completing one or both of the following surveys:
Parent, Caregiver & Community Survey
Middle School Youth Survey

Trainings

Training Videos:

Municipal planning - ​(length: 1:00.28)
Recorded April 16, 2026

View the Presentation Slides (PDF presentation slides 2.01 MB (2,109,381 Bytes))
Latest News

Third Public Hearing on 2026 Regional Plan
​November 9, 2026

Due to a procedural issue, the Commission is holding a third public hearing on November 9, 2026, to receive comments on the proposed 2026 Regional Plan. A vote to adopt the Plan will be considered at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners that will follow immediately after the hearing. There are no changes to the proposed 2026 Regional Plan since July 27, 2026.

Review the 2026 Regional Plan
 
We have withdrawn our August 2026 submission to the Land Use Review Board for approval. We will resubmit when adopted following this third public hearing. 
🚂Full Steam Ahead for the Okemo Valley's Holiday Express! 🚂
December 19th and 20th

A magical 1 hour train ride with Santa and Elves!

​❅ cocoa + cookies ❅ holiday singing❅
❅ letters to Santa ❅ holiday fun ❅

Step into Vermont’s most enchanting season aboard a
vintage train, where nearly an hour of scenic mountain views,
snow covered countryside, and old‑fashioned rail charm
​create an unforgettable winter adventure.

It’s the best of Vermont in winter — vintage rails, mountain scenery, and a festive gathering that’s sure to become a lasting memory.

To purchase tickets, scan the QR code in the image above or by visiting the Holiday Express train tickets page on the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce website.
​
NOTE: Seating is first-come first-serve - the vintage train cars are best suited to individual seating or for small groups. Group seating together is not guaranteed.

Regional Priority Project Process Now Open​

Once again, Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) is partnering with the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) and our area towns to develop the list of Priority Projects for state and federal fund eligibility.
​
The Priority Project process is going on in each region in the state and the final product is provided to the Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD), who will share with other funders for consideration in making decisions on grant programs.
Eligible projects must have an economic development nexus and should demonstrate the following:
  • Purpose & benefit to the region
  • Be prepared to get underway, if funded
  • Principals have demonstrated experience with similar projects
  • Supports identified community/regional economic/development goals
  • Project budget exists with identified sources/uses and a demonstrated funding gap
  • Job creation and/or retention
 The Priority Project Process occurs each year at this time. Projects that emerge in between cycles can complete the form and submit for consideration for an amended list, if appropriate.
 
For more information and to submit a new project request, please visit SRDC’s website.

Submissions can be sent to SRDC or MARC
Deadline November 6, 2026.

2026 Tactical Basin 11 Plan

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Tactical Basin 11 plan, which includes input from local nonprofits, regional planners, town officials, and scientists, outlines more than 75 ways to restore and protect rivers, lakes, and wetlands within a portion of Vermont’s Connecticut River Basin, covering towns from Mount Holly to Brattleboro.

Tactical basin plans serve as a five-year roadmap and detail how DEC will continue to: Improve water quality, restore aquatic habitat, and prevent future pollution throughout the basin, and Work alongside farmers, towns, conservation districts, landowners, watershed groups, regional planning commissions, and nonprofits to advance clean water projects and watershed resilience.
 
The draft plan for the West, Williams, and Saxtons River Basin highlights measures to safeguard water quality during agricultural, development, wastewater, and natural resources activities. For example, review DEC-funded River Corridor Plans and Stormwater Master Plans outline a range of projects. For example, lakeshore projects can reduce erosion and enhance habitat by using no mow zones and shoreline best practices. Other projects can reduce stormwater runoff by using underground infiltration systems.
  
Visit the Basin 11 webpage to learn more about how to comment, join the meetings, view the draft plan, or find a map-based plan summary (also known as a Story Map). You can also contact the Watershed Planner, Marie Caduto, at or 802-490-6142 for more information.

Act 181 Summary & Community Engagement Plan

Act 181 & Community Engagement summary  (PDF: ACT 181 & Community Engagement summary 553.30 KB (566,584 Bytes) Contact Kellen with any questions.

Housing Snapshots & Resources

We’re excited to announce two new resources available on our website to support housing and community development!

Explore our comprehensive PDF of Funding Resources Chart 
Check out the the new Housing Snapshots page 
QUICK LINKS