Mission & Structure

Artist banner detail by Steve Clark, 2007
Vision and Mission
Vision: Montpelier is a vibrant community center with a thriving downtown and unique sense of place.
Mission: To achieve our vision, Montpelier Alive will:
- Collaborate with Montpelier businesses, civic and governmental organizations and the wider community to enhance the city’s position as a preferred location for business.
- Focus on keeping Montpelier an accessible and pedestrian-friendly working downtown with aesthetically pleasing streetscapes and design.
- Support compact, land efficient development that enhances the city’s environment and preserves its historic character and unique sense of place.
- Develop Montpelier as a center for social, cultural, retail and culinary experiences.
Structure
Montpelier Alive accomplishes its mission through a Board of Directors, Executive Director and Committees made up of citizen volunteers. Like other downtown organizations across the country, we use the National Main Streets Program’s suggested structure of four committees:
- Design Committee focuses on improving the physical aspects of Montpelier's Downtown (streetscape, lighting, facades, circulation, etc.) and developing strategies to ensure an attractive appearance highlighting the city's unique assets and heritage.
- Economic Restructuring Committee focuses on developing and implementing a market strategy that will result in an optimum mix of businesses, retail, services, lodging, residences and cultural activities for Montpelier to ensure its economic viability within rapidly changing local and global economies.
- Organization Committee focuses on managing the organizational structure to assure there will be the basis for a long-term, self- sustaining and stable Downtown Revitalization program.
- Promotions Committee focuses on promoting and marketing a unified, high-quality image for the Downtown and organizing cultural activities which will bring people into Montpelier's Downtown.
In addition to these committees, Montpelier Alive also coordinates:
- Montpelier Business Association is the merchants’ group which coordinates cooperative advertising, retail promotions, business training, and other efforts to strengthen the retail sector in Montpelier.
- Downtown Service Businesses Committee meet on an as-needed basis to share information and coordinate efforts among businesses.
- First Night and Independence Day Celebrations are joint projects of Montpelier Alive and the City of Montpelier.
Shortly after Montpelier Alive was formed in 1999, we received State of Vermont recognition as a Designated Downtown . Through this program, downtown property owners and renters are eligible for tax credits. The downtown also can create its own signage, apply for special transportation funds, and take advantage of special state programs designed for downtowns.
Volunteer Profile

Dana Dwinell-Yardley
Dana's volunteer connection with Montpelier Alive began a few months back when she volunteered to help out with First Night. She also did some graphic design work for e-mail newsletters and posters when Phayvanh contacted her through the Onion River Exchange (ORE) volunteer bank. (In exchange for the hours she contributes doing graphic design, she has used her ORE credits to arrange for things like pet sitting, haircuts, and top-to-bottom house cleaning. Check out Onion River Exchange at www.orexchange.org.) READ MORE HERE.
Volunteer Profile

Greg Guyette
Greg Guyette has always lived within 10 miles of his current Montpelier home. Born and raised in Berlin, he is passionate about Montpelier and his work as president of the Montpelier Alive Board of Directors. In a five-question Q&A, Greg shares his thoughts about what makes Montpelier such a great place to live, his passions, and his favorite snowy day activity that you’ll never guess.To find out more about Greg: www.montpelieralive.org/greg-guyette
Community Events
Join Montpelier’s Presidential Challenge to Walk or Roll 802 hours in the month of May 2013. Presidentschallenge.org
5/25- Family Bike Clinic and Ride, Montpelier High School 9am- Helmet fitting, safety instruction and practice in parking lot followed by an optional ride to 3-mile bridge & return on the Route 2 shoulder. Families with school-aged kids welcome.
5/27 – 5/31- On-Bike Safety Trainings for all Union Elementary School students in grades 4 and 5.
5/9 through 5/31: Walking Scavenger Hunt- Walk to 5 locations on the periphery of town and get punches on your Quest Card. Cards can be picked up a the five hunt destinations as of May 8th. Locations are Birchgrove Baking, Hunger Mt. Coop, Hubbard Park tower, North Branch Nature Center, and the VT State Info Center. Return punch cards to City Hall via mail or drop-off to be eligible for prizes!
Committee Meetings
6/5- MBA- 8:30 am- 9:30am
6/10- Design- 5:15pm- 6:15pm
6/13- Board- 5:30pm- 7:00pm
6/18 -Promotions- 11:00 am-12:00pm
What else is happening? Find out HERE!
Contact us anytime:
Montpelier Alive
39 Main Street
Montpelier, Vt 05602
director@montpelieralive.org
(802) 223-9604
Phayvanh Luekhamhan
Executive Director
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