Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies

SeVEDS

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SEVEDS Board Agenda Meeting, January 21, 2016 | 2 pm-4 pm  BDCC

In Attendance:  Dutch Walsh, Patrick Moreland, Bill Colvin, Jill James, Bob Stevens, Drew Riachards, Martin Langeveld , Avery Schwenk, Susan McMahon, Kristin Mehalick, Alex Beck

Via Conference Call:  Berta Maginniss

 

The Usual Business

  • Welcome and Gathering
  • Approve Minutes
    • Minutes Approved
  • Review and Approve Financials – Jill
    • Peter Yost Motions
      • Approved

 

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

 

  • General CEDS

 

    • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
    • Selectboard Meeting Attendance Update – Kristin
      • To be moved to Substantive Discussion
    • Meeting Location for February SeVEDS Board Meeting
      • Next meeting will be at BDCC, February 11th 2-4pm

 

 

  • CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
      • FYI – 2 New Internship Opportunities Posted
        • 2 New Opportunites – Gathering Place and Weathering Heights
        • Suggestion to look into summer educational program to place interns at. Expand past our public schools. After school program at the Y runs a regional program
      • FYI – 1 Intern Placed at Rich Earth Institute
      • 6 Interns in Process
      • Conversation with Bennington County re:Internship Program scheduled Feb. 1
        • So.VT Zone Workforce Development Suggestions
          • Meeting on Feb. 1st – opportunities to partner on internship program. Discussion around collaboration and opportunities for the internship program. Looking to expand the pool where we get our workforce from.

 

  • CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
  • Board 2016 Priority: SoVT Recruiting
  • January Event at Grafton Ponds “After Hours”
  • Fundraiser planned for February 27th at 7:00 pm , “Creative Black Tie Gala”, currently  

 

           looking for sponsorship and in-kind auction prizes.

  • Event Proposal

 

  • CEDS Objective 2: Create an entrepreneurial environment and culture to enhance existing business and grow new business.

 

    • Board 2016 Priority:
      • Formed Accelerator Steering Committee
        • First Committee meeting Tuesday 1/26
        • Patrick Moreland, RT Brown, Luke Stafford, Hannah Grimes, Ian from Green River, Martin Langeveld, Logic Branch
      • Accelerator Feasibility Study Process Update – Kristin
        • Concerns/Questions remain about the deliverables, program structure, timeline, and eventual cost- To be addressed at Committee Meeting
      • Reference Material: Accelerator Feasibility Study

 

 

  • CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding laborshed

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing

 

Substantive Discussions

  • Town Meeting Day – SeVEDS Board Participation – Kristin
    • Need to develop 1 page/primer for Board members to support SeVEDS programming
    • Have been presenting SeVEDS projects to Selectboards across Windham
      • Petitioned 3 towns
        • Westminster
        • Vernon
        • Marlboro
      • Warned in:
        • Brattleboro-March 19th
        • Dover
        • Londonderry
        • Putney
        • Rockingham & Bellows Falls
        • Wilmington
    • Town Meeting Day:
      • Define Strategy to deliver narrative that will be most readily accepted 
      • Ensure we have descriptive handouts for townspeople
        • FAQ’s, easy to digest
        • Try to get it into the town report
      • Young Professionals need to be included

 

Other Business / Announcements (as needed)

 

Next Regular Board Meeting will be on Thursday, February 11th  2pm-4pm.  Location BDCC

 

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