Welcome to The High Road, I too live in Central Vermont, Windsor County near Reading to be more specific (about 20mins from Claremont, NH. I have never been able to find anywhere in Vermont to shoot comp, although their are plenty of gun clubs and ranges n' whatnot. I don't belong to any ranges, as I have enough land and privacy to shoot anytime day or night.
Sometimes me and a few friends will have a small, very unofficial friendly comp, its nothing real fancy or anything.
I see that you were inquiring about what would be a good first range gun/ comp gun.
I must say, provided it is comfortable in your hand, a Glock 17 would be a great all-around Range/Comp/SD/HD gun as they are known for their ruggedness and reliability, very decent accuracy, at least enough that it has been a top competitor in the USPSA for many many years, and they are pretty inexpensive compared to other guns and what you end up paying for IMO.
I would also be just as confident in recommending a Glock 34 as it is similar to the G17 but has a longer barrel for better accuracy, maybe 4-5 17rd factory magazines, 2-3 33rd factory mags, a nice Glock duty holster for the range as they are inexpensive, Maybe a GTL(Glock tactical light) for home defense, and that's really about it for basics, and you'd have yourself a very nice all-around set-up.
If I had known what I know now when I first started buying guns, glock would have been my first choice, so I am speaking from years of experience, although I am no expert marksman, I just know Glocks to be the most rugged, versatile, reliable, accurate, simplistic, guns around.
I have grown to really love them and their ease of maintenance, cleaning, operation. I recommend Glocks to anyone who's asking.
There is a test where 100,000rds were fired consecutively through a glock with no maintenance to the gun during the test and not 1 single malfunction occurred, to me there is something to be said for any gun that can do that, although I have never heard of any other gun holding up as well as a Glock.
I currently own 4 now and have no regrets, I have to say though, I really have a soft spot for the Glock 17. Hope this helped