In about a year, two new foreign companies expect to be operating in Newport at the site of a former skiwear manufacturer. AnC Bio, a Korean bio-tech firm, and Menck Windows, a German company, are the centerpiece of a $600 million economic development initiative promising to bring 10,000 jobs to the Northeast Kingdom.

The CEOs of the two foreign companies that promise to bring more than 600 new jobs to Newport visited the future site of their operations Thursday in the lakefront building formerly occupied by Bogner ski wear.

If there was ever a winter to remind tourism officials that it's dangerous to bank on snow, this is it. At Jay Peak Resort, developer Bill Stenger has already built  a water park to give his visitors something to do, no matter the weather. Now he plans  to do the same at Burke Mountain.

A West Charleston woman wants to bring many local food products together in one place.  Leger's idea took a significant step forward recently when the limited liability corporation in which she and her husband are investors, purchased a downtown Newport building that will become the future site of the Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center.

When the President and co-owner of the Jay Peak Ski resort announced last week a new economic plan for the Northeast Kingdom, what really drew attention was the number of jobs he said will be created if the initiative goes ahead.

We examine how the $500 million in investments in the Northeast Kingdom could affect the region, and we look back to the days when the region relied on fire towers on the mountaintops to spot forest blazes.

The Caledonia County Sheriff's Department and St. Johnsbury Police Department are going to teach young Vermont drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.

A new look at rug-hooking and we step back in time through photographs.

Vermont has nine scenic routes called byways, and they're designed to make travelers linger at local attractions. One runs along the Connecticut River and reaches into the Northeast Kingdom. But the state's scenic northeast corner otherwise hasn't developed a byway of its own. And local tourism officials fear that's putting the NEK at a disadvantage.

There is the sense in the Northeast Kingdom that the area is on the cusp of something that could bring in more high tech jobs. But even now, manufacturers in the region are struggling to find qualified workers.

Vermont's Northeast Kingdom has the highest unemployment rates in the state. Much of the reason has to do with the loss of manufacturing jobs over the years.

VPR reporter, Steve Zind talks with Vermont Edition about some of the economic issues facing the Northeast Kingdom in 2012.  The region is the focus of VPR's special series, Kingdom Comeback, all this week during Morning Edition.

The Northeast Kingdom has been hit hard by mill closings and the loss of manufacturing jobs. It's a place where unemployment is higher, wages are lower and opportunities fewer than the rest of the state. One family has been rolling with the punches as the region's economy has changed.

VPR presents a six-part series that looks at how the Northeast Kingdom is trying to set the stage for economic renewal and transform its economy into one where jobs are more plentiful and future is brighter.

There are challenges and benefits of promoting tourism in the Northest Kingdom while preserving the unique character and way of life of the region. Gloria Bruce, Executive Director of the Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism Association weighs in on the issues.

Several small schools in Northern Vermont and New Hampshire are getting some extra help to encourage students and their families to read more.

Lyndon State College's Dean of Institutional Advancement Bob Whittaker says that improving the rate of adults with college degrees is among the most important goals for Northeast Kingdom business and education leaders.

Northeast Kingdom business and education leaders look at a synergistic approach of integrating travel, education, agriculture and manufacturing to shape the future of the region. Plus, Robert Resnik provides suggestions for the perfect holiday music. And, we hear about a Vergennes metal worker who is restoring a 1950s Ferrari racing car.

Governor Jim Douglas has finalized a deal that will help bring several hundred new jobs to the Northeast Kingdom. Douglas made the announcement from Seoul, South Korea, on the first stop on a multi-nation tour of the Far East.