Author Archives: laurasibilia

SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

April 27, 2017, 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Attendees: Adam Grinold, Bob Stevens, Bill Colvin, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia (via phone), Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Jen Stromsten, Bobbi Kilburn, Sarah Lang, Mary Ann Kristiansen, Josh Druke, Bethaney LaClair (via phone), Meg Streeter, Stephen Dotson and Anne Andreosatos.

Welcome & Gathering – Bob Stevens

Stephen Dotson noted the Ecovation Sister City program. Windham / Greenfield potentially pairing up in a relationship with an international community. Working on building connections with the kinds of local orgs that will want to participate.

Stephen also requested that SEVEDS soon examine the issue of marijuana legalization as an issue that needs a strategic approach to be a positive development in our region? We need a strategy for our region, and its SEVEDS role to try to develop that

Mary Ann Kristiansen noted the Hannah Grimes Idea Jam May 19 led by RT Brown – ideas for Main Streets and downtowns. The age of Amazon in rural regions, networking after. Part of the ‘Five at the Hives” 5-7 pm monthly.

Action Items

• Review and Approve March 16, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes
  • Motion: Mary Ann Kristiansen
  • Second: Stephen Dotson
  • Approved by all
• Accept resignation of Patrick Moreland for the SeVEDS Board of Directors
  • Motion: Anne Andreosatos
  • Second: Meg Streeter
  • Approved by all

Updates

• SeVEDS Quarterly Financials – Bobbi Kilburn
  • Bobbi Kilburn gave an overview of the SeVEDS financials
• SeVEDS 990 Form – Bobbi Kilburn
• Action item: Motion to have Bob Stevens sign SeVEDS 990 Form
  • Motion: Meg Streeter
  • Second: Konstantin von Krusenstiern,
• Approved by all – Stephen Dotson Dotson abstained

• Fundraising Committee – Jen Stromsten
  • Jen Stromsten provided an update on the fundraising committee that is comprised of Drew Richards, Meg Streeter and Konstantin von Krusenstiern. They working on messaging for fundraising.

Substantive Discussions

• Joint CEDS Proposal By Staff – Laura Sibilia
  • Bill Colvin on Joint Ceds ‘traction has exceeded my expectations’. Biz, public, large and some small communities, balance of public private but majority private sector.
  • A Vote yes is a commitment in one or more of three ways – time, vocal advocate for regional approach / SoVT, financial support or help getting funds. Our commitment is to raise an equal level of funds. 24 people voted in favor, got great press. It was a very emotional day – standing ovation at end of the vote. We were clearly able to point to tangible results – funding, investment, jobs created and retained. Planning with a purpose and specific implementation steps. We’ll be looking for strategic opportunities to act along the way!
  • To date the SeVEDS CEDS is in the name of BDCC. EDA wants Matthew to reapply and bring BCIC into that as co-recipient, and then it becomes a joint thing.
  • Action Item: Motion for approval of joint CEDS proposal with Bennington County
  • Motion: Meg Streeter
  • Second: Stephen Dotson
  • Approved by all
  • FYI: May 2^nd – Joint Press Release on SoVermont CEDS Development to include notice of summit
• Review SeVEDS FY 2018 Annual Implementation Strategy – Laura Sibilia
  • The executive committee and the board renamed the plan to the Annual Strategic Priorities
  • The BDCC/SeVEDS annual report will be a look back at all the work that has been done and the SeVEDS Annual Strategic Priorities will be a look forward at what’s to come
  • A draft of the Annual Strategic Priorities will be prepared by the staff and presented to the board

Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, Thursday, May 18^th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• Southern Vermont Economic Summit, Wednesday, May 24^th at Stratton Mountain

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• Town Meeting Day:
  • SeVEDS municipal funding for FY 2017-2018 is $70,881.00. Contributing towns include Brattleboro, Rockingham, Guilford, Newfane, Putney, Marlboro, Dover and Wilmington.
  • Towns who votes “no” to funding request: Vernon and Westminster
  • Brattleboro’s request was approved at $2 per person and all other towns approved at $3 per person
• Entrepreneurial Programs:
  • INSTIG8 – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Ongoing outreach
  • Increased level of small business inquiries from multiple sources
  • Workshop developing in the areas of human resources, finance, insurance, and succession planning
  • Incubation programming / services in development
  • Startup-lab development in partnership with well-established organization currently in progress
  • Founder Focus – great success! Now doing one per week – recommendations welcome!
  • Seek mentors – recommendations welcome!

• Workforce Programs:
  • Internship Program

Working to expand the number of businesses and interns’ participating in the Internship

Program. Increasing business outreach and presence at regional colleges. Currently working with over 12 interns to place in summer internships.

• Sophomore Summit/Fast Tracks to Success:

Sophomore Summit planning continues. The BDCC/SeVEDS was instrumental in securing a large number of private sector speakers to present for the event on April 26th.  This event will be part of the Fast Tracks to Success Program.

A group of Career Center faculty visited Cersosimo, Commonwealth Dairy, and GS Precision, and 30 8th Graders from Twin Valley visited Montpelier on a “Careers in Government Day” for the Fast Tracks Program.

• Talent Pipeline Management

There will be a Construction TPM meeting in Montpelier on Friday, April 7th, with the Healthcare meeting to be convened at a later date. The BDCC and local partners, including DOL, Brattleboro Area Techies, Food Connects, and the Career Center continue to show interest, and are making progress towards convening the first Windham County TPM survey.

• Young Professionals

The April event will be a mixer in Wilmington on Thursday, April 20th, location TDB. The May event will be the Gardening with Charlie Nardozzi event, likely in Bellows Falls, and June will be Dining in the Dark, in partnership with the Vermont Federation for the Blind, at Echo Restaurant in Brattleboro. July will be a Barn Dance in Dummerston at the Leonard Farm, and August will be “Weed-Dating” with Food Connects, where the traditional speed-dating model of meeting new people is facilitated while participants harvest garlic.

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

March 16, 2017, 2:00 – 3:45 pm at CCV

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Attendees: Adam Grinold, Bob Stevens, Bill Colvin, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia (via phone), Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Drew Richards, Jen Stromsten, Luke Stafford, Mary Ann Kristiansen, Patrick Moreland, Josh Druke, Bethaney LaClair (via phone) and Susan McMahon

Welcome & Gathering – Bob Stevens

Action Items

• Review and Approve February 16, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes
  • Motion: Susan McMahon
  • Second: Konstantin von Krusenstiern
  • Approved by all

Updates

• Town Meeting Day Review– Kristin Mehalick
  • Contributing towns include Rockingham, Guilford, Newfane, Putney, Marlboro, Dover and Wilmington.
  • Towns who voted “no” to funding request: Vernon and Westminster
  • Brattleboro Town meeting day will be held on Saturday, March 25^th
• Fundraising & Formation of Fundraising Committee – Jen Stromsten
  • Jen provided a review of the SeVEDS fundraising
  • There is a need for a reliable line item in the budget and a need for private funding
  • There has been a small fundraising committee who will be taking a deeper dive into this topic
  • Members include Drew Richards, Meg Streeter and Konstantin von Krusenstiern
  • Board volunteers, request BDCC work to round out with other members
• Southern Vermont Economic Summit – Bill Colvin
  • Bill reminded the board of the Southern Vermont Economy Summit which will take place on Wednesday, May 24^th at Stratton Mountain
  • The summit is meant to bring attention and interest to the innovative responses and long-term opportunities for economic development in the state’s southern region
  • The morning will provide context and insight into issues affecting New England at large and Southern Vermont in particular
  • The afternoon will explore current best practices and emerging economic development approaches in Southern Vermont
  • The evening will celebrate the achievements of young professionals through the region
  • Young Professional Nominations
• Southern Vermont Economy Project /Staffing update – Adam Grinold
  • Adam introduced Sarah Lang, the new Southern Vermont Economy Project Manager to the board

Substantive Discussions

• Southern Vermont CEDS – Laura Sibilia/Jen Stromsten
  • Jen and Laura provided a review of questions posed at last board meeting
  • Action Item: Voting to ask staff from Windham and Bennington to develop a joint project proposal for the board to approve at April’s meeting.
  • Motion: Konstantin von Krusenstiern
  • Second: Susan McMahon
  • Approved by all

 Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, April 20^th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC (Discussion on date re: school vacations)
  • April’s SeVEDS Board meeting will be moved to April 27^th
• Next agenda: CEDS action, SeVEDS FY 2018 work plan priorities

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• CEDS Projects
• On Monday, February 27th SeVEDS announced its annual CEDS projects ranking for projects submitted for inclusion in the 2016 CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies). A total of 46 projects were submitted to be included in the CEDS; 14 of which have been ranked the most vital. A press event held at the Wilmington Old School in Wilmington, Vermont announced those Vital Projects. Vital Projects are the top ranked projects in terms of alignment and potential to advance the goals and objectives of the CEDS. The Southern Vermont Sustainable Marking Plan was ranked the number one most Vital Project. Other Vital Projects include the Wilmington Old School, Ecovation Hub – Green Building Cluster, and Re-Energizing Vernon.
• 2016 CEDS Vital Projects and Complete project list can be found at:

http://brattleborodevelopment.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016CEDSProjectPressRelease.pdf

• Press on event:

http://www.reformer.com/stories/community-center-vital-for-the-region,499942

• Entrepreneurial Programs:
  • INSTIG8 – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Founder Focus Initiative: celebrates the brave and creative entrepreneurs in our region whose passions are the products and services their companies provide.
  • http://brattleborodevelopment.com/founder-focus/
  • Workshops:
    • 3/8/17 – Structure Stress? L3C, LLC, S Corp., and B Corp. – What’s the best business entity structure for you?
    • 3/15/17 – No Budget Video: Make Videos that Work Online(featuring Luke)
    • Planning – a financial / bookkeeping mini-series

• Workforce Programs:
  • Internship Program
  • Working to expand the number of businesses and interns’ participating in the Internship

Program.

• Increasing business outreach and presence at regional colleges.
• Placed one intern in the month February at Deerfield Valley News
• Businesses who are interested in hosting an intern: The Retreat, The Hermitage Club, WW

Building Supply, Vermont Road Works, Parks Place, KidsPlayce, Don Meno Design

• Sophomore Summit:
• The BDCC is the lead organizer of the 2017 Sophomore Summit, a career awareness and exploration event that has been done throughout the state, but never in Windham County. The event will feature 15-20 different speakers and panelists currently working in a wide range of careers; every sophomore in Windham County is expected to attend. Other partners include So.VT Area Health Education Center, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Youth Services, and Creative Workforce Solutions. This event will be part of the Fast Tracks to Success Program.

• Talent Pipeline Management
• The first Employer Collaborative in Windham County will be focused on Healthcare, and will be convened in the coming weeks. Subsequent collaborative will likely be Manufacturing and Technology. Food system industry leaders have also approached the BDCC with interest in exploring hiring needs in nondurable goods manufacturing, culinary, and added-value agriculture.
• Young Professionals
  • Last weekend’s Young Professionals Gala had over 300 attendees, and raised at least $2,000 for the young professionals group. All vendors came from within 20 miles of the event space, and highlighted local businesses and musicians. Final fundraising data will be available at the next meeting.

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Agenda

February 22, 2017, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Attendees: Adam Grinold, Bob Stevens, Meg Streeter, Bill Colvin, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia (via phone), Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Drew Richards, Jen Stromsten, Ann Andreosatos, Luke Stafford, Martin Langeveld , Josh Druke, Avery Schwenk, Stephen Dotson, Carolyn Blitz (via phone) and Susan McMahon (via phone).

 Welcome & Gathering – Bob Stevens

Action Items

• Review Quarterly SeVEDS Financials
• Review and Approve Pieciak & Co. Engagement Letter for SeVEDS 990 Form
  • Motion: Bill Colvin
  • Second: Meg Streeter
• Review and Approve January 19, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes
  • Motion: Avery Schwenk
  • Second: Meg Streeter
• Review and Approve BDCC/SeVEDS Service Agreement
  • Motion: Stephen Dotson
  • Second: Meg Streeter

Updates

• Town Meeting Day Preparation – Kristin Mehalick
  • Updated to the board on upcoming Town Meeting Day
• Update on fundraising/recruitment programs – Adam / Jen Stromsten
  • Jen Stromsten provided the board with an update on SeVEDS fundraising plans – developing a funding model
  • Goal of identifying funding goals by June
  • Built around cautiously testing the SeVEDS messaging with already existing business relationships
  • Adam Grinold provided the board with an update on the “Southern Vermont Recruitment Task Force” – group will drill into recruitment issues

Substantive Discussions

• CEDS overview review – Laura Sibilia
  • Laura Sibilia reminded the board the CEDS is due for renewal in 2019 and this process will be begin this year (2017)
  • A draft timeline for CEDS renewal was presented to the board
• Bennington County CEDS Development – Bill Colvin
  • Bill Colvin provided the board with an update on the Bennington County CEDS Development and the potential to have a Southern Vermont CEDS (combine Windham and Bennington County)
  • BCRC Charged with the following:
  • Identification of Resources
    • Identify Bennington County region businesses, institutions, individuals and resources that are critical for building a   partnership with the Windham County region.
  • Steering Committee
    • Establish a steering committee of interested parties, consistent with guidelines established by the U. S. Economic
    • Development Administration for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) steering committees, to serve as the foundation for economic development work in the Bennington County region.
  • Educate about CEDS Process and Gain Commitment
    • Focus the steering committee, the private sector and municipalities on the process required for developing a comprehensive economic development strategy, and solicit commitments, as appropriate, from these parties for performing the work.
  • Publicize the Effort
    • Publicize the initiative to build support for performing regional economic development capacity.
  • Southern Vermont Economic Development Summit – Tuesday, May 23^rd at Stratton Mountain
    • Partner with the Windham County region to host a Southern Vermont Economic Development Summit to share economic success stories from Southern Vermont and to present steps needed to develop the Southern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

Other Business / Announcements

• 2016 CEDS Project Press Event – Monday, February 27th, 9:00 am at Wilmington Old School
• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, March 16th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• Upcoming YP Events:
  • Saturday, March 4^th, Young Professionals Gala
    • YP’s have raised $7,070 to date, $4,200 of which is cash, the rest in-kind.
  • February 23rd event is a film screening of “Divided By Diversity” at SIT Graduate Institute

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• General CEDS
  • Municipal Funding for FY 2017 – 2018
    • Including on the TM Warning in the following Towns: Brattleboro, Westminster, Vernon, Guilford, Rockingham, Marlboro, Dover, Wilmington, Putney and Newfane.
    • Town Meeting Day 2017 – Tuesday, March 7^th for Guilford, Marlboro, Dover, Wilmington and Putney.
    • Rockingham Town Meeting Day 2017 – Monday, March 6^th
    • Vernon Town Meeting Day 2016 – Monday, March 6^th
    • Westminster Town Meeting Day 2017 – Saturday, March 4^th
    • Brattleboro Town Meeting Day 2017 – Saturday, March 25^th
  • 2016 CEDS Project Press Event – February

• CEDS Objective 2: Create an entrepreneurial environment and culture to enhance existing business and grow new business.
• INSTIG8 activities for this fall range from networking events to a hack-a-thon, all of which help to support and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the www.facebook.com/INSTIG8
• Upcoming 2/15: Boosting Your Business: How to Leverage Relationships with Facebook
  Upcoming 3/15: No Budget Video: Make Videos that Work Online
• Initial discussions with Benn. RDC RE: shared startup boot camp curriculum
• Meeting with Dartmouth re: REIN & potential collaborations
• Scheduled meeting with UMASS re: REIN & potential collaborations
• Met with UVM VP of Research – They were interested in our activity relative to an

accelerator. They are easily 2 years behind SeVEDS-led initiatives and need to do much

more research on the basics of scalable firms, etc.

• Founder Focus: celebration of founders via social media – 30 day challenge. Criteria 1.) operational 2.) a founder. Starts 2/15
  Ongoing outreach
• CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding labor shed
• Ecovation Hub: Working to implement sustainable governance plan and formation of new Leadership and Fund Development Team.

• CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce
• Fast Tracks
  • BDCC/SeVEDS Fast Tracks program is the lead sponsor and organizer of the Sophomore Summit on April 26th, during which ALL sophomores in Windham County will engage in Career Awareness programming at Latchis Theater and throughout Brattleboro.
• Cluster Roundtable Initiative
  • The BDCC will be rebranding the Cluster Roundtable Initiative after Alex attends the Talent Pipeline Management Academy in Washington D.C. This professional development course will provide better tools for the BDCC to engage employers in workforce development initiatives.

• Targeted Expertise Recruitment Taskforce
  • The taskforce continues to be developed
• Internship Program:
  • Received a grant extension from the VT Department of Labor to use remaining funds of the 2015-2016 Internship Grant. Funds will be used for marketing materials.
  • Investing in FY17 collateral, including physical and digital marketing.
  • Working to expand the number of businesses and interns’ participating in the Internship Program. Increasing business outreach and presence at regional colleges.
  • Placed tow Interns in the month of January/February; Jamaica Cottage Shop and Ground Works Collaborative

• CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
• YP’s
  • Saturday, March 4^th, Young Professionals Gala @ BMAC
    • YP’s have raised $7,070 to date, $4,200 of which is cash, the rest in-kind.
  • February 23rd event is a film screening of “Divided By Diversity” at SIT Graduate Institute
  • Membership Management platform and website redesign is planned to be rolled out at the Gala. The membership management platform will be used to collect more informative data about the young professionals that attend events, access BDCC/SeVEDS Services, and that might be interested in volunteering or donating to SeVEDS programs. The web page will be built off of the newly designed BDCC/SeVEDS Website.
  • We are developing a YP-oriented event/reception for the So.VT Economy Summit in May

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Agenda

January 19, 2017, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees: Adam Grinold, Bob Stevens, Patrick Moreland, Meg Streeter, Bill Colvin, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia, RT Brown, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Martin, Candace Pearson, Josh Druke, Mary Ann Kristiansen, Avery Schwenk, Stephen Doston and Susan McMahon.

Welcome & Gathering – Bob Stevens

Action Items

• Review and Approve 2016 CEDS Project List – Kristin Mehalick
  • February Press Event – TBD
  • Motion: Meg Streeter
  • Second: Konstantin von Krusenstiern
• Review and Approve December 15, 2016 Board Meeting Minutes
  • Motion: Patrick Moreland
  • Second: Avery Schwenk
• Review and Approve Peter Yost’s Formal Resignation
  • Motion: Patrick Moreland
  • Second: Meg Streeter

Updates

• Staff Changes – Adam Grinold
  • Adam informed the board Kristin Mehalick will be transitioning to the Internship Coordinator position and Laura Sibilia will be taking on the responsibilities of SeVEDS. There will be a transition period while Laura is in the legislature. BDCC has also been able to bring on Jen Stromsten three days a week to develop a SeVEDS Sustainability model which focuses on the “mission supporters”. This idea for SeVEDS long term funding was developed at the June 2016 SeVEDS Board retreat.
• 2017 -2018 SeVEDS Municipal Funding Requests – Kristin Mehalick
  • Kristin Mehalick informed the board the staff successfully petitioned in the towns of Westminster, Vernon, Newfane, Guilford and Marlboro. The SeVEDS funding request for 2017-2018 will be listed as an article in these towns. Rockingham and Dover include the request in their budget. Brattleboro has listed the SeVEDS funding request as a separate article at 2 dollars per person. The Town of Wilmington has confirmed the SeVEDS funding request for 2017-2018, which is from the town’s option tax fund.
• EDA Update
  • Ecovation Hub – Laura Sibilia
    • Laura Sibilia provided the board with an update on the Ecovation Hub and a review of the successes coming from the project
    • Expanded partnership opportunities for businesses via networking & research conducted (Brattleboro Savings and Loan, Green River, BuildingGreen, Retreat Farm, Ironwood, S.I.T.)
    • Structure developed gives this region credible voice in statewide conversations on sustainability and climate change economy efforts
    • The significance of the ECOFire and Knowledge Consortium opportunities raise our profile for successfully implementing CEDs projects and utilizing federal funds.
    • Opportunity for our educational institutions to offer specific national market programming and training events by connecting with the knowledge consortium
    • Structure developed gives this region credible voice in statewide conversations on sustainability and climate change economy efforts
    • The significance of the ECOFire and Knowledge Consortium opportunities continue to raise our profile for successfully implementing CEDs projects and utilizing federal funds.
    • CDFI with national market development. New financial institution in the region with upwards of 70 professional positions.
    • International Training Center for
    • Resilient community planning, design, research and innovation
    • Domestic and international governments dealing with and planning for Climate Change impacts
    • Innovation in building science
  • Efforts Resulting from the Accelerator Feasibility Study – RT Brown
    • RT Brown provided the board with update on Instg8
    • Feasibility study has highlighted the need for types of programs being run through WCEDP
    • Particularly the need for “ignitors/idea generation activities”
    • INSTIG8 (emerging firm development programming) building regional interest & confidence supporting start-ups
    • An existing entrepreneurial network, previously not well connected, identified and is making connections (seeds)
    • More tools known and available for entrepreneurs and start-ups
    • 2017 INSTIG8 Calendar – over 75 events
    • Initial planning & definition of Rural Entrepreneur Innovation Network (REIN)
    • Able to leverage WCEDP personnel funding to extend and integrate both programs

Substantive Discussions

• Look Ahead to 2017 – Adam Grinold and Laura Sibilia
  • Development of a fundraising program – “mission supporters”
  • Beginning to look into reapplying for the Windham County CEDS and the potential to coordinate with Bennington on doing a joint CEDS
  • What projects do we participate with our neighbors, New Hampshire and Massachusetts
  • Different organizations take leads and sometimes we do things alone
  • Need to build a culture around a reginal team – need for cross pollination
  • What are other projects we should be working together on?
  • The accelerator feasibility study suggested that we need to act more regionally as Cheshire, Windham and Franklin County – act as a tri-state region and still build off the individual brands but the whole tri-state region can work together
  • Use artists to create neighborhoods across the Tri-State region that we become known for across the country – what it means to be from Keene or Brattleboro
  • SeVEDS has the ability to have these thoughtful and strategic conversations

Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, February 16^th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• Upcoming YP Events:
  • Saturday, March 4^th, Young Professionals Gala

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• General CEDS
  • Municipal Funding for FY 2017 – 2018
    • Towns we will be petitioning to be included on the warning: Brattleboro Westminster, Vernon, Marlboro, Newfane and Guildford
    • All petitions due to town offices on January 19, 2017 at 5:00 pm
  • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
    • CEDS: New Projects/Project Updates – October 28th – December 16tth – Project

Review/Ranking period open

• CEDS Press Event – February TBD
• 31 Project Updates Submitted, 15 new projects submitted, Total: 46

• CEDS Objective 2: Create an entrepreneurial environment and culture to enhance existing business and grow new business.
• INSTIG8 activities for this fall range from networking events to a hack-a-thon, all of which help to support and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.www.facebook.com/INSTIG8

• CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding labor shed
• Milestone 4 Event: Wednesday, November 30th at SIT/World Learning from 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Celebration of the work done over the last year and what’s to come now the cluster analysis is completed.
  • 30 projects/potential business opportunities coming out of the cluster analysis. Including: LEAN Retrofit, Resilience Advisory Tool, Rich Earth, Cross Laminated Timbers (CLT), Knowledge Center, Ed and Training Consortium, Green Gap, Green Bridge, and Eco FIRE.
  • Reference Materials: Action Team Meeting Notes: FIRE, Products & Services, and Knowledge Center
  • Reference Material: GB Cluster Analysis

• CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce
• Fast Tracks
  • Most recently, Twin Valley students went to The Hermitage Club, and BUHS students went to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and The Cotton Mill Complex
• Cluster Roundtable Initiative
  • The BDCC was recently awarded $7,500 from the Vermont Department of Labor to continue this program through 2017
  • The next Roundtable meeting will be scheduled and announced in the coming weeks
• Targeted Expertise Recruitment Taskforce
  • Meetings with NC continue as scheduled; we are currently in the process of learning more about their recruitment needs and current recruitment infrastructure
  • Video with Mondo Mediaworks is being developed
  • ‘Concierge’ services for new hires/potential applicants will be offered by So.VT Young Pro’s, including area tours, housing searches, and employment services for trailing spouses
• Internship Program:
  • Investing in FY17 collateral, including physical and digital marketing.
  • 8 BMH Medical Assistant program (facilitated by BDCC) graduates successfully completed internships
  • 3 other students were placed in the last quarter

• CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
• YP’s
  • Gala is set for March 4^th
    • The Brattleboro Musuem and Arts Center has agreed to host and sponsor the event this year
    • Sponsorship solicitation will begin early next week
    • Music (Cadillac Envy) and Food (Hardy-Foard catering) has tentatively been reserved
  • January 12th is a Community Fundraising night at Fireworks in Brattleboro, and proceeds will go to SeVEDS-PLEASE ATTEND IF POSSIBLE
  • January 14th is Grafton After Hours, with skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and snowbike riding at Grafton Ponds
  • February events will be Inclusivity and Equity speaker series at SIT
  • Membership Management platform and website redesign is planned to be rolled out at the Gala. The membership management platform will be used to collect more informative data about the young professionals that attend events, access BDCC/SeVEDS Services, and that might be interested in volunteering or donating to SeVEDS programs. The web page will be built off of the newly designed BDCC/SeVEDS Website.
  • We are developing a YP-oriented event/reception for the So.VT Economy Summit in May

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

December 15, 2016, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees: Bob Stevens, Patrick Moreland, Martin Langeveld, Luke Stafford, Drew Richards, Adam Grinold, , Ann Andreosatos (via phone), Bethaney LaClair, Avery Schwenk, , Susan McMahon, Candace Pearson,  Alex Beck, Laura Sibilia, and Kristin Mehalick. Guests: Jeff Lewis and Jen Stromsten.

The Usual Business

• Welcome and Gathering – Bob Stevens
• Approve Minutes
  • Motion: Drew Richards
  • Second: Ann Andreosatos
  • Approved by all

Action Items

• Vote on potential SeVEDS Board Member, Mary Kristiansen, Executive Director, Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship in Keene, New Hampshire

• Motion: Ann Andreosatos
• Second: Avery Schwenk
• Approved by all

Updates

• 2017 -2018 SeVEDS Funding Requests – Adam Grinold & Kristin Mehalick
• Update on Workforce following November’s Board Meeting – Kristin Mehalick
  • Workforce ideas presented at November’s meeting:
  • Pilot program in Windham County to collect data and do these strategies work?
  • Anchor industries that draw and make people stay with them – forgiveness would be tied to this
  • Ongoing discussion and this is a good place to start
  • Do more data research and see if there’s a strategy – maybe refining the strategies
  • If we can’t grow our workforce we can’t change our economy
  • Southern Vermont Marketing plan – $100,000 to bring a staff person in to build a network of collaboration. The concept has been tested across Southern Vermont and has gained a lot traction. The model has not been tested and still needs to be ironed out
  • Need for more information on concepts and strategies for these ideas so it can help give us a better idea
  • Add marketing and recruiting to this list – scale it down so we can actually implement it
  • We have a concept and we need to implement
  • A need to get at the people that are already in the area and how do we engage them
  • “Become a Vermonter” – micro target this idea of recruiting. Need to start somewhere – a pop up store to target young professionals in Brooklyn
  • Need to get people here and also keep people – both items are important
  • The Southern Vermont Marketing Plan does this and fits all the varying economic needs of the region
  • Need to research the below workforce areas to help determine potential action items and programs for SeVEDS  
    • Free College
    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Debt forgiveness
    • Refugee resettlement (international and national)
    • Workforce Housing – WRC
  • Targeted Expertise Recruitment (TER) Task Force please email Kristin Mehalick
    • Looking for board members to participate in this workforce group
    • The targeted expertise recruitment initiative is a workforce recruitment initiative designed to help regional employers recruit individuals with skill sets not likely to be found through traditional recruitment methods. The TER initiative is working with select employers to serve as pilots.
  • Rutland County Marketing Campaign – Adam Grinold
    • https://vtdigger.org/2016/11/19/rutland-county-embarks-digital-marketing-campaign-boost-local-population/
    • Adam Grinold mentioned to the board the marketing efforts currently happening in Rutland Vermont.
  • Young Professionals Gala – Alex Beck
    • Alex Beck presented information on the Young Professionals annual gala
    • Date & Time: March 4th, 7:30-10pm
    • Location: TBD (hopefully BMAC again)
    • Target Attendance: 200+
    • Purpose: The purpose of this event is to raise awareness and donations for the Southern Vermont Young Professionals (or SeVEDS) through the execution of a community-wide fundraising gala. It will be open to all members of the public, who will be encouraged to donate and/or participate in the raffle.
    • Additional Details:
      • Tickets have been priced at:
        • $10/person early bird
        • $15/person, $25 a pair regular
        • $50/5 people ($10 pp for groups/employers)
      • There will be a Cash Bar vending a select offering of local wine, beer, and spirits for $5 a drink.
      • There will be a “Pick-A-Prize Raffle” in one side gallery
      • There will be a photo booth in the other side gallery
      • Live music will (hopefully) be provided between 8:00pm-9:30; DJ will come on until close
      • We’re currently seeking sponsorship and in-kind raffle prizes from Windham Region businesses and community leaders
      • We are adding a high-level sponsorship, available to a single supporting business, to promote public-private partnerships in addressing Young Professional and Workforce issue
      • Total Projected Budget $2,400

 Substantive Discussions

• Vermont Futures Project Update – Jeff Lewis and Jen Stromsten
  • Jeff Lewis and Jen Stromsten attending the board meeting to present an overview of the work they are doing with the Vermont Futures Project
  • Vermont Chamber of Commerce created the  Vermont Chamber Foundation a non-profit  research entity
  • To focus on the health and vitality of the Vermont Economy
  • Learned from many other similar Foundations—North Carolina, Kentucky, Florida, etc.
  • Long term attention spanning political cycles
  • What they see:
    • Regional and sub-regional concern about economic vitality
    • Gathering energy focused on economic recovery
    • Growing levels of capacity and capability
    • Lack of alignment between state policy and regional needs like housing and training
    • Opportunities from scale and intimacy—we know each other
    • The Policy Triangle, Indicator Targets and Virtuous Circle are the road map
  • Discussion:
    • What are four things that SeVEDS can endorse economic development policy within the legislature
    • Need for advocacy
    • With SeVEDS as a think tank at the Windham Regional level, there’s a need to have the conversation at the state level
    • Recommendation from Jeff to the board: The SeVEDS board should meet with the legislative delegation to discuss these regional issues around workforce and other economic development issues
    • Building this up to create the knowledge and the policy behind these issues
    • There is currently no state wide level effort focused on bringing workforce to the state of Vermont

Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, January, 19th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• Upcoming Selectboard Meetings:
  • Wednesday, January 4th at 6:00 pm, Town of Wilmington
  • Tuesday, January 17th at 6:00 pm, Town of Vernon
  • Wednesday, January 11th at 6:30 pm, Town of Westminster
  • Thursday, January 12th at 6:00 pm, Town of Marlboro
• Previously Attended Selectboard Meetings:
  • Monday, November 28^th at 6:30 pm, Town of Guildford
  • Monday, December 5^th at 6:00 pm, Town of Newfane
  • Tuesday, December 6^th at 6:30 pm, Town of Brattleboro
• Upcoming YP Events:
  • Saturday, March 4^th, Young Professionals Gala

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• General CEDS
  • Municipal Funding for RY 2017 – 2018
    • Towns we will be petitioning to be included on the warning: Westminster,

Vernon, Marlboro, Newfane and Guildford

• All petitions due to town offices on January 19, 2017 at 5:00 pm

• CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
  • CEDS: New Projects/Project Updates – October 28th – December 16tth – Project

Review/Ranking period open

• CEDS Press Event – January TBD
• 31 Project Updates Submitted, 15 new projects submitted, Total: 46

• CEDS Objective 2: Create an entrepreneurial environment and culture to enhance existing business and grow new business.
• INSTIG8 activities for this fall range from networking events to a hack-a-thon, all of which help to support and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.www.facebook.com/INSTIG8
  • Work on 2017 Calendar
  • Digital Market Series with Mondo Media works. Example workshops:
    • Facebook for Your Business (incl. Live)
    • Video Any Day
    • Creative Content Marketing Essentials
    • Twitter for Business
    • Instagram for Business
    • SEO & Local Listings
    • Google Adwords 101 (or Basics)
    • Email Marketing 101
    • Be an Influencer
    • Digital Public Relations (blogs, link building, social media)

• Intro to Google Analytics
• 5 Digital Trends for 2018 OR What’s Next?

• Bellows Falls – A Night with the Brewers (Hermit Thrush) early 2017 (an outcome of BF Idea Jam)

• WCEDP: 1 Loan with VEDA, 2 in review

 CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding labor shed

• Milestone 4 Event: Wednesday, November 30th at SIT/World Learning from 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Celebration of the work done over the last year and what’s to come now the cluster analysis is completed.
  • 30 projects/potential business opportunities coming out of the cluster analysis. Including: LEAN Retrofit, Resilience Advisory Tool, Rich Earth, Cross Laminated Timbers (CLT), Knowledge Center, Ed and Training Consortium, Green Gap, Green Bridge, and Eco FIRE.
  • Reference Materials: Action Team Meeting Notes: FIRE, Products & Services, and Knowledge Center
  • Reference Material: GB Cluster Analysis

• CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce
  • Fast Tracks
    • Twin valley is going to The Hermitage Club on 12/14
    • BUHS Students are doing a grand tour on 12/20, to GS Precision, Brattleboro Memorial, Commonwealth Dairy, and Cotton Mill Complex
    • Working on Sophomore Summit and Six Colleges Recruitment Fair for Spring
  • Cluster Roundtable Initiative
    • Held a manufacturers meeting about regulatory policy; 8 employers showed up
      • Storymatic, Chroma Technology Corp, New Chapter Inc, Cooperman Fife & Drum, Swiss Precision, GS Precision

• Targeted Expertise Recruitment Taskforce
  • The targeted expertise recruitment initiative is a workforce recruitment initiative designed to help regional employers recruit individuals with skill sets not likely to be found through traditional recruitment methods. The TER initiative is working with select employers to serve as pilots. For more information, please see the hand out.
• Internship Program:
  • The first meeting of the Six Colleges Career Services Meeting was held on 12/02/16. Representatives from Landmark, Marlboro, CCV and SIT were in attendance, along with myself. The structure of the meeting, its membership and focus were decided by committee. It was actually a little difficult to focus on the practicalities of the meeting because the members had so many ideas of how to use our collaboration to improve internship placement and career services. I expect this meeting to be a major step toward the long-term sustainability of this the Internship Program.
  • Beginning to collaborate on a formal method for career services staff at schools to open up Student Portfolios. Previous efforts were hindered by the number of people involved (e.g. student, employer, coordinator and career advisor) so the new system will leverage its resources more efficiently.

CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities

• YP’s
  • Two December events: Winter Mixer @ Coworking Plus, Self-Defense & Empowerment Course
  • Gala is set for March 4^th
  • Membership Management platform and website redesign is planned to be rolled out at the Gala. The membership management platform will be used to collect more informative data about the young professionals that attend events, access BDCC/SeVEDS Services, and that might be interested in volunteering or donating to SeVEDS programs. The web page will be built off of the newly designed BDCC/SeVEDS Website.

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2016, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees: Bob Stevens, Patrick Moreland, Matrin Langeveld, Luke Stafford, Drew Richards, Bill Colvin, Adam Grinold, Meg Streeter, Ann Andreosatos (via phone), Bethaney LaClair, Avery Schwenk, Stephen Doston, Susan McMahon, Bobbi Kilburn,  Alex Beck, Laura Sibilia, and Kristin Mehalick.

The Usual Business

• Welcome and Gathering – Bob Stevens
• Approve Minutes

Motion: Meg Streeter

Second: Ann Andreosatos

Approved by all

Abstained: Martin Langeveld

• Review Quarterly SeVEDS Financials – Bobbi Kilburn

Bobbi Kilburn, Director of Finance and Grants at BDCC provide the board with an overview of the quarterly SeVEDS financials.  BDCC Staff will be working with the SeVEDS Executive Committee to create a service agreement between BDCC and SeVEDS to reflect the current state of the financial procedures.

Updates

• SeVEDS Executive Committee Members – Bob Stevens
  • Action: Formal approval of Executive Committee Members
    • Bob Stevens – Chair
    • Meg Streeter – Vice Chair
    • Patrick Moreland – Treasurer
    • Bill Colvin – Secretary

Motion: Adam Grinold

Second: Avery Schwenk

Approved by all

Substantive Discussions

• Workforce Overview and Strategy Discussion – Alex Beck
  • Alex Beck, BDCC Workforce and Education Specialist presented to the board on the

Windham Region Workforce Center of Excellence

• Strategy and Goals of the Windham Region Workforce Center of Excellence
• What: The BDCC Southern Vermont Workforce Center of Excellence is a network of internally created and managed programs, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and external service providers working to increase the size and quality of the workforce in Windham County.
• How: Private Sector input will drive innovative partnerships and programming with educational institutions, state and federal agencies, and service providers aligned with the workforce development goals delineated in the CEDS. Programs, initiatives, and relationships will be based around cultivating, retaining, and attracting a skilled workforce.
• Why: Key performance goals of the Center of Excellence are: Reduce the number of vacancies in priority clusters identified in the CEDS, increase enrollment in secondary and post-secondary workforce and education training programming offered by or in partnership with the BDCC.
• Programs & Functions
  • Fast Tracks to Success: Cultivation
  • Six College Collaborative: Retention
  • Southern Vermont Young Professionals: Retention & Recruitment
  • Business Cluster Roundtable: Informing Above Activities
• Assumptions & Extrapolations
  • Of the (approximately) 800 Windham County students that enroll in college, only around 250 will graduate with a post-secondary degree.
  • Of the ~5,100 jobs available over 5 years, 2/3 require some post-secondary education.
  • Over 5 years, Windham County will graduate 1,250 college-educated students
  • ~2,000 jobs will go unfilled or under-filled
• Discussion:
  • Labor is not coming from Windham County – the surrounding counties and the rest of New England are having a difficult time with workforce. Where do we draw from in regards to workforce shortage – What can we offer to differentiate and make Southern Vermont unique?
    • Increase skills in the community
    • Offer the following incentive programs:
      • Free College
      • Tuition Reimbursement
      • Debt forgiveness – increase skill level of current students and cultivate and retain
      • Refugee resettlement (international and national)
      • Workforce Housing
    • Free college and debt forgiveness is something to latch on to and a way to get Southern Vermont on the map
    • There’s an importance to the STEM jobs – this is where the jobs will be focused
    • Can we pitch these workforce ideas to a foundation and receive financial support
    • Potential to build a program and get initial funding through the Windham County Economy Development Program
      • We can then go out to businesses and leverage the WCEDP funds and have the businesses sustain the program
    • We will need the Southern Vermont Marketing and recruitment effort to help with this effort
    • There’s a need for more housing – if we don’t have enough, where will the population go? Windham Regional Commission is working on this and specifically needs to look into doing more workforce related housing

SeVEDS Mission Workgroup – Luke Stafford

• • SeVEDS Board Member, Luke Stafford presented to the board a proposed mission and vision.
  • We want to think bigger than Vermont and New England – We went with the US and went with rural because it sums up what are doing here
  • Strategies are long term – the CEDS
    • Mission: SeVEDS develops long-term strategies that generate growth and prosperity in our regional economy.
    • Vision: To be recognized as the model for US rural economic development.
  • Suggestions from the board included rewording of the vision. The below mission and vision were approved by the board.
  • Mission: SeVEDS develops long-term strategies that generate growth and prosperity in our regional economy.
  • Vision: To be recognized as the model for rural economic development in the United States.
  • Motion: Meg Streeter

Second: Stephen Dotson

Approved by all

Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, Thursday, December 15^th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• Ecovation Hub Milestone 4 Event, Wednesday, November 30^th at SIT/World Learning from 4:00 – 6:30 pm
• Upcoming Selectboard Meetings:
  • Monday, November 28^th at 6:30 pm, Town of Guildford
  • Monday, December 5^th at 6:00 pm, Town of Westminster
  • Tuesday, December 6^th at 6:30 pm, Town of Brattleboro
• Upcoming YP Events:
  • Friday, December 9^th, “Game Night” at Coworking Plus
  • Wednesday, December 14^th Self Defense & Empowerment Course

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• General CEDS
  • Municipal Funding for RY 2017 – 2018
    • Towns we will be petitioning to be included on the warning: Westminster,

Vernon, Marlboro and Guildford

• All petitions due to town offices on January 19, 2017 at 5:00 pm

• CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
  • CEDS: New Projects/Project Updates – October 28th – December 2^nd – Project

Review/Ranking period open

• CEDS Press Event – December TBD
• 31 Project Updates Submitted, 15 new projects submitted, Total: 46

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

• INSTIG8 activities for this fall range from networking events to a hack-a-thon, all of which help to support and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.www.facebook.com/INSTIG8
  • Idea Jam Londonderry – good results, 15 people present. Great outreach!
  • Several WCEDP project in review
  • 802 Cups migrating to a more structured pitch-prep session
  • Request for Mentors, only one respondent in the last three weeks. (in all newsletters)
  • Next Idea Jam – Wilmington, Date – TBD

 CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding labor shed

• • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing
    • Ecovation Hub
      • Milestone 4 Event: Wednesday, November 30th at SIT/World Learning from 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Celebration of the work done over the last year and what’s to come now the cluster analysis is completed.
      • 8 business opportunities coming out of the cluster analysis. Including: LEAN Retrofit, Resilience Advisory Tool, Rich Earth, Cross Laminated Timbers (CLT), Knowledge Center, Ed and Training Consortium, Green Gap, Green Bridge, and Eco FIRE.
    • Reference Materials: Action Team Meeting Notes: FIRE, Products & Services, and Knowledge Center
    • Reference Material: GB Cluster Analysis

• CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce
  • Groundworks Collaborative
  • Senior Solutions
  • Oak Meadow Independent Learning
  • The Gathering Place
  • Grace Cottage Healthcare Center
  • Morrell Metalsmiths
  • Meeting Waters YMCA
  • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
  • 2 Interns have been placed; 7 are currently in the process of being placed.
  • Internships have been created/posted with:

CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities

• Raised ~$100 for the wine tasting last weekend
• Intro to Healthcare: Lunch & Learn (Wednesday, 11/16)
• “Game Night” @ Coworking Plus (Friday, 12/9)
• Self Defense & Empowerment Course (12/14)
• 3 referrals of YP’s new to town that Alex has met with to provide professional & social support to.

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

 September 15, 2016, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees: Bob Steves, Adam Grinold, Patrick Moreland, Avery Schwenk, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Bill Colvin, Susan McMahon , Meg Streeter, Laura Sibilia , Ann Aandreosatos , Sunni Laporati, Stephen Dotson, Drew Richards, Kristin Mehalick and Mary Ann Kristiansen.

The Usual Business

• Welcome and Gathering – Bob Stevens
  • Introduction to Mary Anne and a background on Hannah Grimes Center
• Approve Minutes
  • Motion: Drew Richards
  • Second: Patrick Moreland
  • Approved by all

Substantive Discussions

• RCDI – Adam Grinold
• 2016 CEDS Project Submission Process – Adam Grinold and Kristin Mehalick
  • Kristin Mehalick reviewed the CEDS online process for submitting and updating project. This a new submission process this year and the scoring criteria has been specifically aligned with the questions asked of each project submission.
• Ecovation Hub Video Presentation – Kristin Mehalick
• Re-Organization of Executive Committee – Bob Stevens
  • Need someone to serve as Secretary to the board
  • Kristin to follow up and board members to bring names to her
• Vote on Potential SeVEDS Board Members
  • Bethaney LaCalir, Chief of Staff at World Learning/SIT & Josh Druke, WW Building Supply
    • Motion: Meg Streeter
    • Second: Drew Richards
    • Approved by all
  • SeVEDS Leadership Award Nomination for BDCC Annual Meeting – Kristin Mehalick
    • Motion: Avery Schwenk
    • Second: Konstantin von Krusenstiern
    • Approved by all

 Follow-up on SeVEDS Sustainable Funding Work Group Meeting – Adam Grinold

• • Drew and Bill provided an overview of the sustainable funding group meeting
  • “Mission Members” for SeVEDS
  • Can we ask businesses that we work directly with for funding?
  • The basic premises is, if workforce is a problem and if people stand by it, they can help us meet those challenges
  • BCIC has a fundraising model where they ask businesses for support and funding
  • Which is the right organization to go through? BDCC and/or SeVEDS
  • People we are advocating for are the business that are in the area and should be participating towards SeVEDS in a variety of ways. Feedback loop that we are missing out on by not having these conversations with businesses
  • Let’s test the theory with having Laura going out and testing the mission support model. If successful, going to BDCC board for their investment support in personal
  • Are we selling the programs, the mission or a variety of programs? What is the program we offer the businesses?
  • Board member thoughts on this:
    • Time to begin the fundraising
    • Need to lump BDCC and SeVEDS together to paint a broad picture
    • Where does the money go?
      • The money would be used as overhead to tie these things together
      • They would fall under the unrestricted funds
    • The need is for SeVEDS – planning an implantation of the regional strategy as opposed to BDCC
    • Most of the genesis comes from the SeVEDS strategic plans
    • The money would be flexible funding
    • Nee to sell the fruits of both efforts and we are seeking general funds for seed funding
    • We’ve been successful for raising public funds and can make this successful with private funds
    • Short term goal of $20,000
    • At this point can we get the test fundraising going?
    • Essential that we get support from the private sector
    • There has been occasion with individual organizations and in that process when a project is being developed, there can be some sort of support
    • Ecovation Hub is also looking for sustainable funding – the cluster reaching out to foundations first and then maybe more strategically planning for the Ecovation Hub and SEVEDS funding
    • BDCC membership is where we may start with already engaged businesses
    • It would be important to get participation on some level first with some reasonable timeline commitment. Then broaden that base. Right now we need participation and flip the public/private upside down and it should be supported by the private sector. GSP is an exact example of this.
    • Approaching recipients who have received CEDS awards for funding
    • Great series of conversation and Laura would be an ideal person to work on those
    • Developing a strategy and cultivating them now – it may be two or three years before you ask them. SeVEDS may be in position to do that now.
    • We’ve talked about the need to develop sustainable funding in the private sector but have not had the resources to do so. The thought behind this is to test the model and then get funding for a fundraising position who will create the strategic plan.
    • Laura will be doing somewhat of a feasibility study
    • Just remember we are already doing a lot of cultivation and get more focused and work that list

• SeVEDS 2017 – 2018 Town Funding Requests– Kristin Mehalick & Adam Grinold
  • SeVEDS Board reviewed the town funding amount requests that will soon be sent to towns in the Windham region.
  • Last year we raised $76,492 in municipal support
  • Need to get broader participation and a need to develop a strategy
  • Need for cultivating a network for Town Meeting
• Nuclear Event on October 14^th featuring lessons learned
  • BDCC along with Windham Regional Commission, Southwest Region Planning Commission and Franklin Regional Council of Governments partnered to write a lessons learned on the closure of VY. This was part of the scope of work outlines in the EDA grant. The event will be taking place on Friday, October 14^th beginning at 2:00 pm at the Brooks House.

Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, Thursday, September 15^th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• BDCC Semi-Annual Meeting, Thursday, October 27^th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Location TBD
• Attended Selectboard Meetings:
  • Dover on June 21^st
  • Putney on July 27^th
  • Londonderry on August 15^th
  • Wilmington on August 17^th
  • Thursday, August 25^th at 5:30 pm Town of Marlboro
• Upcoming Selectboard Visits:
  • Monday, September 19^th at 6:30 pm Town of Vernon
  • Tuesday, September 20^th at 6:30 pm Town of Rockingham
  • Tuesday, September 20^th at 6:15 pm T

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

• General CEDS
  • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
    • CEDS: New Projects/Project Updates – Open for submission beginning of

September

• CEDS Objective 2: Create an entrepreneurial environment and culture to enhance existing business and grow new business.
  • INSTIG8 activities for this fall range from networking events to a hack-a-thon, all of which help to support and cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region.facebook.com/INSTIG8
  • Idea Jam – Bellows Falls, 9/29
  • Idea Jam – Londonderry, 10/13
  • Idea Jam – Wilmington/Dover
  • Startup Weekend
  • Hack-a-thon focused on GEIH
  • Quickbooks Workshop
  • Leadership for entrepreneurs workshops
  • Mentorship opportunities
  • Financing for Entrepreneurs
  • Resurrection of the Business Plan Competition

• CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding labor shed
  • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing
    • Green Economy Innovation Hub (GEIH)
      • Action Team meetings are taking place over the next several months to develop business opportunity plans
      • Stratton Magazine Article on GEIH and is set to be published in the fall issue
      • BDCC/SeVEDS Featured in September issue of Monadnock Business Journal magazine – GEIH will be featured
      • Renaming efforts currently underway
      • Milestone 3 Event: October 18^th from 3:30 – 6:00 pm
    • Reference Materials: Action Team Meeting Notes: FIRE, Products & Services, and Knowledge Center
    • Reference Material: GB Cluster Analysis

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

Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program

• Internship Program

• Recently hired Devin Green for Internship Coordinator
• Submitted FY2017 Internship Grant 9/2
• Two Interns  in the process

• Fast Tracks to Success
  • Confirmed schedule for Twin Valley through December
  • Awaiting responses from other teachers
• BDCC Roundtable
  • Technology Roundtable planned: September 22nd
• Diverse Workforce Development & Recruitment Efforts
  • BDCC/SeVEDS is partnering with The Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity
• Other
  • Application for $20,000 to Vermont Community Foundation was submitted 7/1

to support Windham Region Workforce Center of Excellence

• CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
  • Developing Membership & Engagement Survey for 2017
  • Recruitment of new Steering Committee Members
  • Upcoming Young Professional Events

• Wine & Soup Stroll- Wilmington, Sept. 16th
• Green Drinks with SOVTYP’s- Sept. 29th

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes, August 18, 2016, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees:

Bob Stevens, Patrick Mooreland, Bobbi, Kilburn, Stephen Dotson, Adam Grinold, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Peter Yost, Susan McMahon (via phone), Josh Druke, Drew Richards, Luke Stafford,  and Ann Andreosatos.

Financials – Bobbi

Bobbi Kilburn, Director of Finance and Grants at BDCC presented SeVEDS financials at the board meeting

Review of financials

Profit and Loss 7/2015 – 6/2016 Grants (restricted funds) moved to the BDCC books

Chart of accounts and made it more streamline

2016-2017 SeVEDS Budget shows unrestricted funds and expenses, Laura and Kristin listed under contracts

Growth in operating budget from municipalities – have received almost all of the $76,000.00 for this year

The executive committee will play the role as a finance committee and will report back to the board

A need to review SeVEDS led initiatives that are listed on the BDCC books

Working on creating a long term overview that shows the budget of the grants and have a better understanding as a board of the amount spent for each grant

The report shows the impact of the work that’s happened and keeping SeVEDS connected to that work and see the funding for what’s next

Living Community Challenge

Peter Yost gave an update on the efforts related to the Living Community Challenge

Living Community definition: social, cultural, economic district that meets each of the petals with a focus on close loop positive energy water, physical resources.  The out growth is from the Living Building Challenge.

Insert language around the definition of the Living Community Challenge

A part of the GEIH work where there is this particular piolet project from national organization called

Opportunity for a variety of members to become involved in this piolet project

Susan also gave an update on her work with Candace Pearson on this. Still working to make connections and have conversations to form a master plan

If we are going to be serious about doing the piolet, we will need some kind of funding where a staff person is committed to designing this pilot program

People are excited about this project because it’s substantive, a process and an end. We have exciting projects in the region that we can apply this to.

Looking at village and campus scale for this project

If you take the tool kit and play with the boundary conditions there will be many people that is needed to determine which location we choose

Clearly defined metrics and none of them are optional

Why do you do this? – You do this to serve as an attraction and know for it. It will drive infrastructure

Granting sources available to help fund the capacity for the pilot project

NEDA Awards

BDCC and SeVEDS received two NEDA Awards

Workforce Updates

Windham Regional Center for Excellence: aggregation of programs we are coordinating and other resources that are available for workforce development. All of these workforce efforts are tied back to the goal and strategies of our CEDS.

Fast Tracks to Success Program:

Internship Program: Looking to hire a new Internship Coordinator

Young Professionals: Working now to better define what membership is and to collect more relevant information from these members. Also, understanding how we can align them with the SeVEDS mission and vision.

BDCC Roundtable: Convene businesses by industry to understand their barriers to growth and expansion. Then finding and creating solutions. Leveraging the resources that are already there and creating solutions. It goes back to the CEDS goals, increasing the size and quality of our workforce. Technology Communications will be the next roundtable series.

SeVEDS Board Members

Mary Anne Kristiansan, Hannah Grimes:

Jen Stromsten: expressed interest and honored but doesn’t have the capacity

Bethaney LaCalir, SIT/World Learning: TBD

GSP: TBD

Commonwealth: TBD

Balancing age and private/public businesses

Demetri Gardner from the Lightning Jar

Proposed Mission

Strategies in the name SeVEDS and in the mission

Long term is really important

SeVEDS is dedicated to developing long term initiatives that generate growth and prosperity in the regional economy.

Bob – wants it to be bolder. Our economic infrastructure is the most thriving in the New England or the east coast.  Specific and relatable to everyone.

Strategies to become to blank blank on the east coast. Need to qualify the community. Leading small economy. Competing against large economies. What’s the scalable way to discuss this. We have an economy that works and a support system that works.

What are the attributes – something that speaks – progressive – economy that attracts – we will be another hub – we want to be another place that attract people – what are these other organizations

End of Meeting Items:

• CEDS Call to Projects
• Scheduling Funding Meeting: Invite others to join
  • Tuesday, 8/30 11 am, 3 pm, 4 pm
  • Thursday, 9/8 all morning until 1:00 pm
  • Friday, 9/9 all day
• Conflict of Interest Forms:

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes, July 21, 2016, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Meeting Attendees: Bob Stevens, Patrick Mooreland, Meg Streeter, Adam Grinold, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Peter Yost, Susan McMahon (via phone), and Ann Andreosatos.

Note: The CEDS Committee met from 3:00 – 4:00 pm to review and approve the 2016 CEDS Update which is sent to the EDA.

The Usual Business

• Welcome and Gathering – Bob Stevens
  • Four open board seats we are looking to fill
  • Looking for representation regionally and specifically from Rockingham/Bellows Falls
  • Open for suggestions from the board –
  • BDCC/SeVEDS will follow up with suggestions made from the board and report on the status at August’s board meeting
• Approve Minutes
  • May Motion: Meg Streeter Second: Anne Andreosatos Approved by: All
  • June Motion: Meg Streeter Second: Peter Yost Approved by: All
• Review and Approve Financials – Kristin Mehalick
• Board reviewed financials and agreed there is no need to approve the financials going forward. The board will continue to be provided an update from BDCC staff each month but will make no formal board approval. Bobbi Kilburn, Director of Finance and Grant Management at BDCC will attend August’s meeting to discuss
  • May
  • June

Substantive Discussions

• Green Economy Innovation Hub Update – Kristin Mehalick
  • Action team (Knowledge Center, Products and Services, FIRE, and International Markets)

have small break out project teams that are focusing on specific areas/industries for potential business opportunities. Over the next three months the project teams will be utilizing an Action Plan Template as a format for developing these business opportunities.

• Action teams and project teams will be presenting the opportunities in detail at the next Milestone event. Milestone 3 will be held the week of October 31^st.
• The Green Economy Innovation Hub will be a featured article in the fall issue of the Stratton Magazine. The article was   written by Candace Pearson of BuildingGreen and Lynn Barrett. Carolyn Blitz, SeVEDS Board Member, President of the Stratton Foundation and Editor of Stratton Magazine envisioned the article being a means of attracting investors to support the GEIH.
• Laura Sibilia and Kristin Mehalick are working with Mondo Media to create a short video around the Green Economy Innovation Hub that will be showcased at the Tiny House Fest event in Brattleboro on Sunday, September 4^th. The video will also be used as a marketing and communications tool.
• On July 20^th Laura Sibilia and Kristin Mehalick pretended information on the GEIH to the Cheshire County Economic Development Advisory Committee in Keene, New Hampshire. The attendees were provided background on the initiative and how they can get involved.
• Living Community Challenge – Peter Yost and Susan McMahon provided an update to the board regarding BuildngGreen and WRC’s efforts in exploring this project.
• Tri-State Group Update – Kristin Mehalick
  • Work with the planning commissions in Cheshire County, Franklin County and Windham

County will continue through the end of the year.

• As a group we found it was important to continue to conversation around understand each

region’s priorities and the potential to collaborate in future projects

• A press event on the lessons learned from the closure of Vermont Yankee is schedule for

early September. Each region will be inviting stakeholders, press and state officials. We expect to gain national attention for this event.

• RCDI Grant  – Kristin Mehalick
  • Southern Vermont Economy Project – a 2016 USDA Rural Community Development initiative project
  • $230,000 awarded from the USDA to develop capacity in the Windham and Bennington

County regions of Southern Vermont

• The efforts will be by and between public and private sector partners concerning economic developing initiatives such as workforce training, retention, recruitment, and sustainable business investment. The foal with the RCDI funding is to improve capacity with within twelve Southern Vermont partner organizations serving some of the counties’ most challenges small towns, so that these organizations can better organize and serve local and/or regional economic development projects.

Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, Thursday, August 18^th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC
• SeVEDS Vision Wordsmithing Working Group (Anne, Avery, Luke, Adam and Laura) , TBD
• SeVEDS Sustainable Funding Working Group (Martin, Drew, Bill, Adam and Laura), TBD
• Attended Selectboard Meetings:
  • Dover on June 21^st
  • Press from Selectboard Meetings: “Group working to improve area business climate” by Rolf Parker, The Deerfield Valley News
• Upcoming Selectboard Visits:
  • Wednesday, July 27^th at 5:30 pm Town of Putney
  • Monday, August 15^th at 7:00 pm Town of Londonderry
  • Wednesday, August 17^th at 6:00 pm Town of Wilmington
  • Thursday, August 25^th at 5:30 pm Town of Marlboro
  • Monday, September 19^th at 6:30 pm Town of Vernon

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

• General CEDS
  • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally

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

• CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding labor shed
  • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing
    • Green Economy Innovation Hub (GEIH)
      • Action Team meetings are taking place over the next several months to develop business opportunity plans
      • Stratton Magazine Article on GEIH and is set to be published in the fall issue
    • Reference Materials: Action Team Meeting Notes: FIRE, Products & Services, and Knowledge Center
    • Reference Material: GB Cluster Analysis

• CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce
  • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
• Three Interns Placed
  • Two @ Greater Falls Community Justice Center
  • One @ Windham Central Supervisory Union
• Digital Advertising Report
  • Ad’s worked well in generating views and clicks for Internship Postings
    • Moderate success in inquiry submission, but low churn
    • Will update page to include SEO terms
    • Ad’s worked less well generating results with businesses
    • Will work with Mondo to increase traction
  • Fast Tracks to Success
  • Finalizing Logistics & Scheduling with 2/4 schools
    • Twin Valley & BUHS has confirmed curricula and basic scheduling
    • Working with other two schools to finalize
    • Good traction on engaging private sector partners; 4-5 businesses have

already signed up to host site visits

• BDCC Roundtable

• Held Manufacturers Roundtable on 6/30
• 8 attendees
• VTC & VMEC presented workforce and business development

programming

• Conducted Needs Assessment with leaders of Tech community
• July/Early August Meeting TBD

• Diverse Workforce Development & Recruitment Efforts
  • BDCC/SeVEDS is partnering with The Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity
    • org
      • Sponsorship solicitation with regional employers
        • Name & Logo on website, w/ link to career opportunities
        • 1 Free consulting session w/Curtiss Reed
      • Proposal & Budget
    • Connecting Internship Program with HBCU’s
    • Organizing an alternative winter/spring break for HBCU’s in So.VT w/
  • Other: Application for $20,000 to Vermont Community Foundation was submitted 7/1 to support Windham Region Workforce Center of Excellence
• CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
  • Upcoming Young Professional Events
    • Saturday, August 6th from 4 – 9 pm “YP Field Day”. Will be held at Hidden Acres

in Dummerston. We’ll be grilling, playing minigolf, swimming at their pool, and hopefully having live music and camping. Hidden Acres is sponsoring the event, and agreed to waive ~ $250-350 in costs for the event.

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