(Host)    Ten towns in southwestern Vermont hope to boost their purchasing power for things like diesel fuel, road salt and heating oil with a new municipal collaborative.   

VPR's Nina Keck has more.

(Keck) Manchester, Jamaica, Danby and Shaftsbury are among ten towns that have formed the Southwestern Vermont Municipal Association.   John O'Keefe is Manchester's Town Manager.

(O'Keefe) "The thought is by making ourselves bigger - even artificially - that we increase  some of our buying possibilities and to attract more  aggressive pricing and more vendors."

(Keck) He says most dealers appreciate the efficiency of creating one large bid rather than dealing with ten separate towns.   And O'Keefe says the program will provide more than just improved pricing and efficiency.

(O'Keefe) "I think the other benefit to this whole collaboration as well is that for the first time we've really sat at a round table with our neighbors."

(Keck) He says by getting to know each others needs, the towns  may be able to provide mutual aid, more regional planning and perhaps combined economic development.   

For VPR News, I'm Nina Keck.