Folks move to Vermont from all across the U.S., and the end of their first winter or two can be especially challenging. Help a newcomer survive the March doldrums and take them out for a meal at one of our amazing local eateries, and Imagine Addison County, a program of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, will cover the cost.

Not sure where to find a new Vermonter? They’re truly everywhere! Consider new neighbors who may have come from away, or perhaps a new family in your school, someone you know from a volunteer organization or work, a fellow participant in a fitness class or sports league. Got someone in mind?...Great!  Click the sign-up button below to begin.

• “Newcomers” are defined as folks who have moved (or returned) to any Addison County Vermont town within the last 2 years. Due to grant funding requirements, this program will only apply for those who moved to Addison County Vermont from another state after March 1, 2024.

• Any meal qualifies; breakfast, lunch or dinner, for a gift card of $25/per person, including the host.  As a host if you invite 1 Newcomer your gift card will be $50, 2 Newcomers $75, the program is capped at $100 per host/meal.

• Any Addison County Chamber of Commerce member eatery qualifies!  Below is a list of participating eateries, you’ll need to select one when you sign up.

• This initiative is part of the statewide GROW network to help new and returning Vermonters find community and is funded by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development through the Department of Tourism and Marketing’s ThinkVermont initiative.

• This is primarily a “host-side” initiative, to empower locals to become “hosts” and think of new Vermonters they can extend the welcome to. If you’re a newcomer, we absolutely want to get you connected as well! Follow the link to register as an Addison County Newcomer.

Thank you for helping welcome our new neighbors!