UNH Cooperative Extension is delighted to welcome Becky Levy to the Community and Economic Development team. Becky recently started her role as a field specialist in Sullivan County, where she will provide community and economic development planning assistance and project implementation support that builds community and regional leaders’ capacity to strengthen and sustain communities and the economy. Her areas of focus will include economic development, nature-based and cultural tourism, Main Street revitalization, and fostering regional collaboration on a range of plans and projects.
Becky’s background lies at the intersection of economic development, rural arts, culture, and heritage tourism. She maintains a deep passion for working with communities to help them leverage their historic, cultural, and natural assets to create vibrancy and foster economic inclusion.
Prior to joining the Extension, Becky was Executive Director of the Cortez Cultural Center in Cortez, Colorado where she provided operations management for the Center, but also worked to cultivate an effective Board and organization focused on increasing cultural understanding, promoting the arts, and educating visitors about the region’s cultural history and natural environment.
Other previous roles that Becky has held over the past two decades include municipal economic development director, town planner, Mayor Pro Tem, town administrator, publisher, radio promotions director, and music director. Suffice it to say, Becky brings a host of knowledge and experience to her new role in Sullivan County.
When asked about the biggest challenge facing Sullivan County and the state, Becky said, “Housing is certainly a huge challenge. Not only is the cost of housing a barrier to Sullivan County and the state’s economic vibrancy, but it is also the quality of housing stock”. Charlie French, Program Leader for Community and Economic Development noted, “Becky comes to Extension with a host of skills and experience that she can put to work in collaboration with county stakeholders to tackle issues like housing, economic development, and enhancing the quality of life in Sullivan County.”
Becky holds a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Sociology.
We hope that you will take a moment to welcome Becky to UNH Extension!
