HARDWICK — Richard Amore is just one of the many federal workers affected by the recent flurry of executive orders coming out of Washington, D.C. Formerly the head of economic development at United States Agriculture Department (USDA), Amore’s position was swiftly terminated on a Friday evening, via email. Effective immediately.
For the past 15 years, Amore has been serving Vermont communities in some capacity. Amore spent 12 years at the state level working with rural communities like Hardwick and Greensboro to coordinate funding and support local leaders, among his many other functions.
Hardwick Zoning and Floodplain Administrator Kirsten Leahy commended Amore, saying, “As an employee of the State of Vermont, Richard Amore played a pivotal role in Hardwick’s planning process for the past decade. Richard dedicated significant effort to assist East Hardwick in obtaining its Village Center designation. Throughout the years, he consistently demonstrated a commitment to addressing inquiries related to the significance of community and place, while providing invaluable support to the Hardwick Planning Commission in advancing various planning initiatives . . . Additionally, Richard was the key driving force behind the Village Center designations for both Greensboro and Greensboro Bend.”
Just four months ago, Amore decided to transition from his state position to USDA rural development, acting as their head community economic development representative on the state directors leadership team.
Amore led community and economic development efforts, coordinating federal investments to support leaders and business owners in building strong, vibrant communities.
“The agency is all about supporting rural communities, from supporting new families who are trying to purchase a home for the first time or municipal leaders interested in investing in water or wastewater infrastructure, or Main Street business owners looking for capital.” Amore said.
He continued, saying “The work USDA rural development does, it’s really all about job creation, investing in municipal infrastructure or community facilities and affordable housing. These are the bedrock of our communities and it’s the world of the employees, they live and work right here in Vermont and they’re our neighbors, live in our communities and are really committed to making Vermont a better place and it’s non-partisan work.”
Amore provided ample insight into how the agency’s work has a direct impact on communities. The agency provides funding and resources for essential infrastructure such as water and wastewater facilities, fire stations and community facilities like town halls, healthcare and childcare centers.
“This work is critical to the success of rural communities and it’s in danger. I feel like if you gut USDA rural development then you gut small town America,” he said.
According to Amore, oftentimes larger banks are reluctant to fund projects in rural communities which creates a large funding gap in these areas.
“I can’t overstate the importance of USDA rural development to Vermont, these programs started back in the 1930s with the rural electrification administration and the farmers home administration, making a critical investment that the private sector can’t do alone.”
He provided perspective on how these programs directly impact rural communities. Amore says in the last year USDA rural development invested nearly $124 million across the state, in nearly 300 projects: everything from single and multi-family housing to supporting rural, business owners and agriculture producers to municipal facilities and water and wastewater projects to even electrical and broadband investment.
“These are critical investments for the livelihood of our rural communities and our neighbors. With less staff, there will be less investment in rural Vermont and if anyone knows rural Vermont, we need these investments to survive and prosper, especially given the past couple years of flooding in our state. We need it more than ever. I do feel, with less staff, our rural communities will be more vulnerable and, as Vermonter’s and as Americans, I think we must do better. I’m committed to finding new ways to serve rural communities. We have to, there’s no other way.”
Amore and many others have since questioned the logic of reducing their team of 30 to 20, in consideration to their overall budget. In the fall, the USDA branches located in Vermont and New Hampshire composed a letter stating when looking at USDA rural development in Vermont and New Hampshire, they were found to be at 61% staff capacity, one of the lowest among regional offices across the country, leaving what some would consider ample space in the budget.
With a third of their staff gone in four months, Amore has serious concerns about what the future looks like for rural communities.
“This really threatens our ability in rural communities to advance economic development efforts, and build resilience in strong communities. I felt this was a disservice to rural Vermonters. They deserve direct assistance, not bureaucratic hurdles that require them to seek help from hundreds of miles away. Being a Vermonter I know that residents don’t want to hear that they need to explain their situation to someone in Washington, D.C. They want local support right here from their neighbors and that’s what rural development offers.”
He continued, “We have staff who live in Vermont and understand our communities, all their beauty and challenges and struggles, and we work shoulder to shoulder with local leaders and business owners to build vibrant places across our great state. These reductions of investments in rural communities will undoubtedly continue to decline without adequate staffing and employees. This decline, it’s gonna put rural Vermonter’s over at a greater disadvantage with access to quality healthcare or clean water or reliable Internet, and resources essential for community growth and stability.”
Amore says he understands that wasteful government spending is an issue and they should look for ways to reduce said waste and increase efficiency wherever possible, however “these cuts are being made with an ax instead of a scalpel and they’re doing far more harm than good.”
On February 13, Amore and members of his team received mass termination letters, with no warning, explanation, or severance. No one in their state office, including the state leadership team of which Amore himself was a member, had input or were made aware. The terminations, issued in the thousands, came in a standard form letter with no evidence of poor performance or other reason for termination.
“Our supervisors didn’t even know what was happening, and we as probationary employees, many seasoned and mid-career professionals like myself, have limited appeal rights. That made us kind of really easy targets for mass terminations, and we were vulnerable. This is not how you treat people or your employees.”
Amore added there’s a lot of staff still at rural development being treated horribly, and the morale is at an all time low. “It is just heartbreaking to see how the new administration is treating federal employees who dedicated their lives to serve and make our country better,” he said.
As for the remaining employees, it is a time of uncertainty according to Amore. With new executive orders each week, he says it is hard to stay focused and have strategies for investment in real places, when each day you’re worrying about a livelihood.
However, Amore has hope. “I know the great staff at rural development that are still there. They’re committed to the mission and serving rural communities, and they will find a way to continue to provide, but they are going to do the best they can. That means though, there may be longer lines or longer time before responding or less funding going out, but they’ll do the best they can in the situation they have in the funding they have to continue to serve and a better place. But there will be less capacity and less investment happening because there’s only so much people can do when you get downsized by 30 percent.” He said.
With potentially challenging times on the horizon, Amore believes that state agencies, philanthropy, as well as regional and nonprofit organizations will have to step up to fill the void this administration is creating in Vermont. He feels we will need increased state investments and attention, as well as capacity and resources at the state government level.
“I’m certain that Vermonters have and will rise to the occasion, we really have no choice. I look forward to finding new ways to lead and continue to serve rural communities and support Vermont’s economy, special places and resilient people. I feel more committed than ever to advocate for and champion rural communities. I’m determined to find new ways to serve and help rural communities as I’ve done for the past 15 years across this brave little state.”
Leahy pointed to Amore as one of those Vermonters who has regularly risen to the occasion. “Richard’s unwavering dedication and support were instrumental to the success of the Hardwick community, she said.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
