VT HCR040

Designates February 20, 2025 as NEK Day at the State House to recognize Vermont's Northeast Kingdom region comprising Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties

The NEK contains 55 towns and gores with more than 60,000 residents, making it the least populous region of Vermont

Highlights the region's assets including outdoor recreation, Kingdom Heritage Lands, Nulhegan Basin Refuge, and educational institutions such as St. Johnsbury Academy, Lyndon Institute, Vermont State University-Lyndon, and Sterling College

Acknowledges the NEK faces higher rates of poverty and unemployment than the rest of Vermont, along with climate change and demographic challenges

Directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative