Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies, or SeVEDS, started in 2007 as a small group of people from across the region looking to improve broadband and cell service.
After many meetings it became painfully clear that the region’s problem wasn’t lack of broadband, it was lack of economic development.
Understanding we couldn’t go it alone, professional assistance was sought from Fairpoint Communication and their contractor Vital Economies.
Beginning in 2010, Vital Economies worked with us on beginning to uncover and understand our underlying regional economic and demographic data and helped us lead a regional asset mapping discussion. This work led to the development of our initial five year goals and a strategy framework to begin to achieve those goals.
The SeVEDS organization has also begun to develop. We are incorporated as a non-profit and legally affiliated with the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, a Vermont Regional Development Corporation serving the Windham Region.
SeVEDS exists to reverse the Windham Regions economic decline. We envision developing the Southern Vermont economy to generate long-term growth and prosperity, improve the regions quality of life and sustain its quality of place.
Current SeVEDS Board:
Interim Chair
Jenna Pugliese (Stratton Mountain)
Treasurer
Drew Richards (Richards Group)
Secretary
Julia Sorenson (Brattleboro Retreat)
Post VY Chair
Stephan Morse (Retired, Windham Foundation)
Board
Lisa Sullivan (Bartleby’s Books)
Barb Sondag (Town of Brattleboro)
Jeff Lewis (Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation)
Susan McMahon (Windham Regional Planning Commission)
Bill Colvin (Bennington County Regional Planning Commission)
Patrick Moreland (Town of Brattleboro)
Dan Yates (Brattleboro Savings & Loan)
Bob Stevens (Stevens and Associates)
Tim Cullenen (Town of Rockingham)
Colby Dix (Vermont Geeks)
David Altstadt (Windham Workforce Investment Board)
Martin Langeveld (Strolling of the Heifers)
Jill James (Chroma Technology)
Ex-Officio
(Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development)
BDCC Staff for SeVEDS
Laura Sibilia
Pat Moulton Powden
I was just at the Newfane Town Meeting where we approved an allocation of funds for your organization. Your handout, though informational, was not enough to sway voters to give precious tax money to you. The measure only passed because there were two knowledgable community members (who are NOT part of your group), who have some knowledge of you and spoke well of the work you are wanting to do. Many in attendence felt that a representative from your organization should have been at town meeting to explain, in detail, you, your goals, what the money will be used for and how we see the results. I have read of you in The Reformer, but for many in Newfane, you are a total unknown. Many in town have taken a leap of faith to give you such a sum. You recieved more in funds from Newfane than many other organizations. I believe that if you are going to go to towns for funds, you need to send someone..anyone..from your group to that town to give a detailed report of who you are and what you want to accomplish. Hand outs and word of mouth is not sufficient. I voted to allocate funds to you. I support what you seem to be wanting to accomplish. However, you need to do a major review of your public relations policies if you want ALL of the communties in Windham County to get behind and support you.