Author Archives: laurasibilia
SeVEDS Board Minutes August 2012
SeVEDS Board minutes July 2012
SeVEDS Annual Meeting Presentations and Materials
On Thursday September 13th, 2012 SeVEDS held its first Public Annual Meeting at the Bellows Falls Opera House. Presentations from that meeting are listed below.
Annual Meeting 2012 Lewis and Sondag
SeVEDS FY 13 Workplan PPT Sorensen Sibilia
Atwood FRCOG_Presentation_Sep2012 final
Bob Stevens of Brattleboro was presented with the SoVermont Leadership Award for Excellence in Economic Development.
This award is presented annually in recognition of sustained and effective efforts to mobilize leadership in the development of programs and projects, planning and designing of new and creative economic development activities and deep commitment as a leader and advocate for economic development in Southern Vermont.
Every year SeVEDS looks specifically for an individual or organization who has demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development of our region, leading the execution of projects that have significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in generating long-term growth and prosperity, improving the regions quality of life and sustaining its quality of place.
This year’s recipient was chosen for the fearlessness and sense of urgency with which they approached a number of significant economic development tasks in 2011 and 12.
Bob Stevens agreed to lead SeVEDS effort through its initial legal organization period; drove the board to start working quickly on actions it could take, and kept the board focused on moving forward after what was the most significant natural disaster our region faced.
In addition, with Craig Miskovich, Drew and Pete Richards and Ben Taggert, Bob is part of a consortium dedicated to bringing back the Brooks House in Brattleboro better than ever, helping to fill a deep economic wound in their downtown.
For these reasons, SeVEDS awarded Bob the 2012 SoVermont Leadership Award for Excellence in Economic Development
Vermont Speaker of the House Shap Smith met with the Windham Region Young Professionals during the networking reception at Popolos Restaurant.
Request For Proposals: CEDS Consultant
Request for Proposals
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Background: The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), on behalf of its affiliate the Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies Group (SeVEDS), is seeking proposals from qualified professionals that are knowledgeable in research and development, planning and data analysis to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Windham Region of Vermont. The Windham Region is defined as the 23 towns in Windham County plus Winhall, Weston, Searsburg and Readsboro.
About BDCC and SeVEDS: BDCC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont, including Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, and Weston. The primary objective of the BDCC is to create and retain a flourishing business community in the Windham Region that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents.
BDCC is affiliated with the State of Vermont as the certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) serving the greater Windham County area. BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. SeVEDS is an affiliate of BDCC that grew from a 2008 grass roots effort, initiated by BDCC, to reverse the economic decline of the Windham Region.
Purpose: SEVEDS recognizes that the work undertaken in this region over the last several years has built a proper foundation for a successful CEDS process. It is expected that a CEDS will help the region to further identify its strengths and weaknesses and establish clear priorities for guiding the work of state agencies, municipalities, non-profit organizations and local business as we work in partnership to foster economic development in the region. The CEDS process for southeastern Vermont will naturally benefit from established social networks around SEVEDS and from the strong history of public engagement initiated by SEVEDS in building a regional economic development brand.
SEVEDS recognizes a CEDS as a plan and a process, and also expects that research and writing of this CEDS should be done with an eye towards implementation. Our intent is to secure specific commitments from stakeholders in adopting strategies which can be executed to achieve our stated goals.
- End Population Decline 2009 = 42,605 est.
- 669 new jobs @$ 43,833 and 446 new jobs @$39,848 (NNE Average Wage)
- Improvement of 4,464 jobs by $5,000/yr.
- $69M new wages $141M in new GDP
- Reach Regional GDP of $2.8B
- Increase Median Annual Income for Associates/Some College from $26,855 to $32,000
- Increase Median Annual Income for Bachelor’s Degree from $32,518 to $39,000
- Improve the Ratio of Net Earned Income to Total Income from .566 to .65To End Population decline
Scope of Work: The CEDS effort must include, but is not limited to: coordination with SEVEDS board, committees and outside community groups designed to gather public input and deliver presentations, analyze data and prepare a CEDS document that satisfies the requirements of the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This document must address the following list of critical components.
- Regional Profile: This section will include all current data relevant to the economic, demographic, geographic, workforce, transportation and environmental metrics of the region. The Regional Profile section will also review and provide a clear analysis of the region’s economic clusters paying close attention to the factors that support their successful operation. Finally, the regional profile should include an in-depth analysis of the economic development problems and opportunities facing the region. This analysis should include recommendations for addressing the problems and strategies for capitalizing on the opportunities.
- Visioning, Goals and Objectives: The second section of the CEDS should document SEVEDS clearly defined vision and a set of regional goals and objectives for economic development. This section should document the process by which the vision, goals and objectives have arisen from an extensive process of public outreach to stakeholders throughout the region. This should involve public meetings in several of the region’s towns, collaboration with business leaders, public officials and private individuals, this process should gather the wide range of ideas regarding the future development of our region. Along with the overall vision, these ideas will be pared down to a set of cohesive, concrete steps to achieve our goals and address the region’s economic challenges and capitalize on its opportunities.
- A Plan of Action: This component of the CEDS will be an action plan for achieving the Goals and Objectives. These strategies should consist of specific projects and programs that will be carried out by one or more stakeholders in the region. The CEDS will identify the nature and intended goal of the project, an estimated cost of the project, a lead agency and potential partners to implement the project, a projected timeline, potential funding sources, the desired outcome of the effort and, where applicable, an estimate of the number of jobs to be created or retained by the project. This section of the CEDS should also identify and prioritize critical capital development and infrastructure projects proposed by municipal, state, or federal government for the region.
- Evaluation and Measurement: The final section will evaluate the process of administering the CEDS as well as distinguishing a performance measurement system to measure the strategy’s current and future success. This section will utilize a measurement system, based on outcome, output and efficiency measures, to maintain a high level of transparency and hold all parties accountable towards implementation. This section will also allow the region to benchmark itself among other regions according to specific outcome measurements identified.
Proposed Schedule
- RFP issue date: August 31, 2012
- Deadline for proposals: October 1, 2012
- Review by SeVEDS: October 18, 2012
- Consultant Interviews: through November 1, 2012
- Consultant Selection: November 15, 2012
- Start Date for consultant: November 29, 2012
- End Date: June 29, 2013
Submittal Requirements: Responses to this RFP should include a detailed work plan that addresses the overall timeline and milestones necessary to complete the CEDS, identify specific activities that will be accomplished, identify staffing and number of hours that will be devoted to each activity and describe the work product that will be produced. It should also include a process for communicating with BDCC staff and the SeVEDS board, a public involvement plan, and a timeline for status reports, draft reports and hard copy and electronic delivery of final CEDS document.
Selection Criteria: Responses to this proposal will be evaluated on the following criteria: Qualification and experience of prime consultant and any sub consultants with studies of similar scope and size; demonstrated knowledge of economic development principals and trends; sufficient staff for all required work; history of successful performance on similar projects, proposed cost of the study; and lastly, demonstration of commitment for meeting the project schedule. An invitation to enter into contract negotiations shall be forwarded to the firm or individuals determined to be qualified and best able to perform the described task.
Responses: Please submit a sealed written proposal to the mailing address below and also submit an electronic submission to email address. Materials and documents submitted in response to this RFP become the property of SeVEDS and will not be returned to the bidder. Responses must be received by mail and in electronic format or delivered in person to:
Laura Sibilia, BDCC, 76 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, VT 05301
Inquiries may be directed to Laura Sibilia at (802) 257-7731 or by email at lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.org
CEDS SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
CEDS SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS
Technical Requirements
Pursuant to 13 C.F.R. § 303.7, a Planning Organization must include the following information in a CEDS submitted to EDA—
1. Background: The CEDS must contain a background of the economic development situation of the region that paints a realistic picture of the current condition of the region. This background must include a discussion of the economy, population, geography, workforce development and use, transportation access, resources, environment, and other pertinent information.
2. Analysis of Economic Development Problems and Opportunities: The CEDS must include an in-depth analysis of the economic development problems and opportunities that identifies strengths and weaknesses in the regional makeup of human and economic assets, and problems and opportunities posed by external and internal forces affecting the regional economy. This analysis must:
• Incorporate relevant material from other government-sponsored or supported plans and demonstrate consistency with applicable State and local workforce investment strategies.
• Identify past, present, and projected future economic development investments in the region.
• Identify and analyze economic clusters within the region.
3. CEDS Goals and Objectives – Defining Regional Expectations: The CEDS must contain a section setting forth goals and objectives necessary to solve the economic problems, or capitalize on the resources, of the region. Any strategic project, program, or activity identified in the CEDS should work to fulfill these goals and objectives.
• Goals are broad, primary regional expectations.
• Objectives are more specific than goals, clearly measurable, and stated in realistic terms considering what can be accomplished over the five (5) year time frame of the CEDS.
4. Community and Private Sector Participation: The CEDS must include a section discussing the relationship between the communities in general and the private sector in the development and implementation of the CEDS. Public and private sector partnerships are critical to the implementation of the CEDS.
5. Strategic Projects, Programs and Activities: The CEDS must contain a section which identifies regional projects, programs and activities designed to implement the Goals and Objectives of the CEDS. This section should identify and describe:
- Suggested Projects:
- All suggested projects, programs and activities and the projected number of jobs to be created as a result.
- Lead organizations responsibilities for execution of the projects.
- Vital Projects:
- A prioritization of vital projects, programs, and activities that address the region’s greatest needs or that will best enhance the region’s competitiveness, including sources of funding for past and potential future investments. These can be overarching “themes” for regional economic development success and is expected to include components.
- Funding sources should not be limited to EDA programs.
COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS, Page 2 of 2
6. CEDS Plan of Action: The plan of action, as described in the CEDS, implements the goals and objectives of the CEDS in a manner that:
• Promotes economic development and opportunity;
• Fosters effective transportation access;
• Enhances and protects the environment;
• Maximizes effective development and use of the workforce consistent with any applicable State or local workforce investment strategy;
• Promotes the use of technology in economic development, including access to high-speed telecommunications;
• Balances resources through sound management of physical development; and
• Obtains and utilizes adequate funds and other resources.
The CEDS must also contain a section that discusses the methodology for cooperating and integrating the CEDS with a State’s economic development priorities.
7. Performance Measures: The CEDS must contain a section that lists the performance measures used to evaluate the Planning Organization’s successful development and implementation of the CEDS, including but not limited to the:
• Number of jobs created after implementation of the CEDS;
• Number and types of investments undertaken in the region;
• Number of jobs retained in the region;
• Amount of private sector investment in the region after implementation of the CEDS; and
• Changes in the economic environment of the region.
These are not meant to be the only performance measures for the CEDS. Most Planning Organizations developing a CEDS will benefit from developing additional quantitative and qualitative measures that will allow them to evaluate progress toward achieving the goals identified as important in their regions.
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies group (SeVEDS) awarded federal planning grant
For Immediate Release Monday August 27, 2012
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies group (SeVEDS) awarded federal planning grant
Plans Windham Region Economic Development Conference September 13
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) has been notified by the Vermont Federal Delegation that they have been awarded $75,000 in short term planning funds by the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. These funds will enable BDCC’s affiliate SeVEDS to undertake the creation of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Southeastern Vermont.
The Windham Region CEDS will be a strategy document that reflects documented local economic development needs and priorities and will recommend a regional project approach to achieving sustainable economic development. A CEDS is required to qualify for Economic Development Administration assistance under its public works, economic adjustment, and most planning programs and is a prerequisite to designation by EDA as an Economic Development District (EDD).
Lisa Sullivan, recently elected chair of SeVEDS, says the timing of the grant award is helpful.
“SeVEDS is holding its first annual public meeting on September 13th from 4-6 at the Bellows Falls Theater, and a key component of our FY 13 work plan is to make significant progress towards completing the Windham Region CEDS. Now that we have this notification, we’ll be able to talk in more concrete terms about our process time frames and public involvement.”
Municipalities, businesses and non-profits are invited to hear more about SeVEDS, the upcoming CEDS process and how it will impact them on the 13th. Attendees are asked to rsvp for the SeVEDS annual meeting by contacting Laura Sibilia at the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (802) 257-7731 or emailing lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment. A networking reception from 6-7 will follow the meeting at Popolos Restaurant, newly reopened in the Bellows Falls Windham Hotel. More information on the federal CEDS program can be found at www.seveds.com
About SeVEDS:
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies, or SeVEDS, started in 2007 as a small group from across the Windham Region region looking to improve broadband and cell service. After many meetings it became painfully clear that the region’s core problem wasn’t lack of broadband, it was lack of economic development. After a year of working with Fairpoint’s economic development consultants Vital Economies, SeVEDS set preliminary goals and strategies, received matching 50K grants from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, incorporated as a legal non-profit affiliated with BDCC and established its first Board of Directors.
SeVEDS has just completed its first year, and approved a second year work plan. One of the largest goals for FY 2013 is completion of a federally recognized Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region.
About BDCC:
BDCC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont. The primary objective of the BDCC is to create and retain a flourishing business community in the Windham Region that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents. BDCC is affiliated with the State of Vermont as the certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) serving the greater Windham County area. BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. In this capacity, BDCC serves the twenty-seven towns of Athens, Brattleboro, Brookline, Dover, Dummerston, Grafton, Guilford, Halifax, Jamaica, Londonderry, Marlboro, Newfane, Putney, Readsboro, Rockingham, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Townshend, Vernon, Wardsboro, Westminster, Weston, Whitingham, Wilmington, Windham and Winhall.
SeVEDS Board Minutes June 21, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
June 21, 2012 – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Drew Richards, Jenna Pugliese, Barb Sondag, Stephan Morse, Bob, Stevens, Lisa Sullivan, Martin Langeveld, Tim Cullenen, Dan Yates, Bill Colvin, Patrick Moreland, Susan McMahon, Julia Sorensen, Colby Dx
Absent: Jeff Lewis, Gregg Noble
Bob called the meeting to order at 2:07
Lisa made a motion to approve the minutes from 5/12 seconded by Drew – Vote: unanimous
Bill gave a brief update from the joint Bennington and Windham County RPC Sponsored Economic Development event in Woodford at Prospect Mountain. Berkshire County, MA , Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) and US Department of Commerce representatives were in attendance. Bennington County RPC had planned on 30 attendees and had almost 60 attend. Jeff’s presentation on engaging the community to build an economic development organization was well received.
The board reviewed the May, Year to Date, Balance Sheet and Draft FY 13 budget financials. Drew explained the new formatting that shows 25K of a projected 34K FY 12 surplus is restricted for matching the EDA – CEDS grant.
CEDS, Disaster EDA, and CDBG Grant Updates – Laura informed board that:
- EDA had requested non faxed copies of bylaws and signature sheets for the EDA – CEDS application. She continues to feel CEDS grant approval is imminent.
- The Southern Vermont Disaster application has been submitted to EDA by Windham Regional. Amongst the various projects that were included, Laura created a Southern Vermont Marketing initiative that is included and is in line with SeVEDS strategies and objectives.
- ACCD has made another request to HUD to increase the availability of CDBG disaster funding in the Windham Region.
Annual Meetings updated:
- Organizational July 19 – Elect Officers, new member, approve work plan and budget
- Public Annual September 20 – Recommendation form Communications Task Force: Bellows Falls, CEDS contractor speaker – Laura to work with Tim on arrangements
FY 2013 Work Plan and Budget Discussion: Laura was asked to make a number of organizational edits including bringing the budget to the front, adding a table of contents, adding the strategy and objectives document. A ninth work item was added – Look at changing name of SeVEDS and overall branding strategies.
The board added a Development Task Force to address the VY mitigation planning to include Martin, Barb, Jeff.
Task Force Updates
PR/Marketing : Considering a name change from “SeVEDS” to “Advance VT”, Planning the September , Laura has been asked to prioritize list of towns for communications plan. Plan to reengage the Sterring Committee in July, Planning Annual Meeting
Young Professionals : Stratton July event details YP July 12 – Stratton
Innovation Indexing: Benchmarking Economy vs. Innovation factors – task force feels they should focus on innovation measures. Patrick relayed conversation and materials received from Rachel Selsky of Brattleboro who has done CEDS work. CEDS creator should be able to draft meaningful Innovation Index that can be measured annually.
Workforce/CCV/VTC updates: Task Force is reorganizing and expanding committee to include more employers. Recommended hiring half time Workforce Coordinator and contributing funds to the WWIB
Post VY – needs to meet again. Stephan asked if SeVEDS felt they should then disband Post VY Task Force
SeVEDS Board Meeting July 19
Minutes May 17, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
May 17, 2012 – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Jenna Pugliese, Lisa F Sullivan, Bob Stevens, Jeff Lewis, Colby Dix, Susan McMahon, David Alstadt, Bill Colvin, Patrick Moreland, Laura Sibilia
Absent: Barb Sondag, Drew Richards, Dan Yates, Julia Sorenson, Gregg Noble, Tim Cullenen
Lisa motioned to accept the minutes from 4/12; 2nd by David VOTE: unanimous
Bob noted that on some of the the agendas for other boards he serves on there is an agenda item “Public Comments” and wondered if SeVEDS should add such an item to their agendas. The board discussed the differences between private and public boards, public and private funds and the lage amount of work they are grappling with. Bob asked for a broader discussion on the “Public Comments” item to be added to the SeVEDS June agenda.
Susan motioned to accept the April month end financials; 2nd by Lisa VOTE: unanimous
Old Business
CEDS Grant – follow up documents have been sent to EDA. Laura feels confident the grant will be approved prior to the next board meeting. The board had previously approved an RFP for developing the CEDS. She and Patrick would like to make additional changes, including adding the EDA requirements for the CEDS to the RFP. Patrick, Susan and Laura will edit and send to executive committee. Laura will issue edited RFP as soon as funding decision is made. Discussion about where to post, board elected not to pay for placement but to work with existing state networks and posting sites.
Update on legislation – Jeff updated the group on legislative outcomes. The 1.5 VY tax revenue did not come through for economic development, however the money for the joint colleges did come through. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development included the SeVEDS appropriation in their regular budget. Jeff noted how hard ACCD ‘s Secretary and Deputy Secretary, Lawrence Miller and Pat Moulton Powden, worked on our areas behalf and also noted Senator Jeanette Whites support of SeVEDS.
Jeff noted that now was the time to begin outlining our plan for additional funding in the region for next year’s legislatures consideration. Laura noted it was important that the SeVEDS board review the Post VY mitigation strategies, and reminded the board that Post VY intended to meet quarterly to monitor SeVEDS progress towards its goals. Bob asked Laura to forward the Post VY report to SeVEDS board members to review.
Annual Meeting/slate of officers/board member terms recommendations from Executive Committee –
- The Exec Committee has recommended that SeVEDS holds its business annual meeting at its regular July meeting. Finances for the past year will be reviewed, work plan and budget for the coming year approved, slate of officers elected and any new board members elected.
- A second “Public Annual Meeting” will be held on September 20th and will serve to update public officials, towns, businesses and other interested parties. This will also serve as the kickoff event for municipal fundraising via Town Meeting.
- The 2013/14 slate of officers is as follows: Lisa Sullivan, Chair; Jenna Pugliese, Vice Chair; Drew Richards, Treasurer; Julia Sorenson, Secretary. Bob will stay on the SeVEDS board but has asked to step down from the Executive Committee due to his time commitments with the Brooks House project.
- All board members were assigned a one, two or three year term by the executive committee. They were encouraged to switch with other board members if they were so inclined. One year terms: Stephan Morse, Bill Colvin, Colby Dix, David Alstadt, Patrick Moreland. Martin Langeveld, recommended for election to the SeVEDS board in July, will have a one year term. Two year terms: Jeff Lewis, Bob Stevens, Dan Yates, Julia Sorenson, Tim Cullenen. Three year terms: Susan McMahon, Barb Sondag, Gregg Noble, Drew Richards, Lisa Sullivan, Jenna Pugliese.
EDA grant – Susan, Jeff and Laura participated in a conference call with Matthew S. from EDA. He advised that the workforce section should be removed from the application, primarily due to the dollar amount of the overall grant request. He gave a few suggestions for where to look for workforce funding.
Town of Brattleboro Request – Laura and Bob reported that the Town of Brattleboro has agreed to a 25K contribution to SeVEDS immediately and an additional 25K if SeVEDS is able to raise 50K in municipal funds from other towns in the region. David asked what we would be spending the dollars on given the EDA information and only receiving 25K from Brattleboro immediately. There was discussion that the WF group would need to meet and reexamine its plan for next meeting. Laura is looking for additional resources.
New Business
New Board Member – Executive Committee recommends Martin Langeveld as new Board member for SeVEDS Board – Martin is on the Post VY committee and board members who serve with him spoke about the work he has done on and for that group. Martin will be elected in July, but may join the board at their June meeting.
2013 Work Plan – The board reviewed the workplan presented to the Town of Brattleboro which had 4 focus areas – 1. continue task force efforts, 2. develop CEDS, 3. add workforce capacity, 4. execute a regional fundraising plan. Laura will add 5. Create plan for measuring and Public Meeting, 6. Develop an answer to the question what we would do with more funding 6. Continue to challenge the state to raise the priority level of a statewide economic development plan.
Economic Development Strategic Planning Conference – Colby, Laura and Bill all attended and spoke highly of the conference. Some big take aways: don’t burn out your volunteers use them for specific bursts and then let them be done, SeVEDS is doing pretty good thus far in terms of representative involvement, there are good connections to be made at these events. We met up with a Brattleboro area telecommuter involved in economic development for a company in Albany.
Project Updates (5 minutes ea.)
- PR/Marketing – 2 hour meeting June 7 from 3-5 pm will focus on internal communication, annual meeting and fundraising campaign
- Young Professionals – Next event is May 24th at the Wilmington Inn 5:30 – 7
- Innovation / Benchmarking – Patrick handed out a sheet with suggestions for what metrics the task force would be considering
- Workforce/CCV/VTC updates – A reminder to all about the colleges meeting on Tuesday 5/22 at 10 am
Colby asked for funding to attend a ½ day workforce training conference in Portland put on by NEDA. Total cost is $100. Given that the regular board did not have a quorum, the Executive Board reconvened and Lisa moved to approve $200 for Colby and David to attend the NEDA workforce training conference 2nd by Jeff VOTE: unanimous.
Patrick noted that he believes one of SeVEDS successes has been that the SeVEDS board is slowly educating themselves on the complexities of developing our economy. Given the enthusiasm for what was learned at the conference in Albany and Colby’s request, Patrick asked that funds for education and be added to the upcoming year budget.
Upcoming Events
- YP May 24 – Wilmington
- YP July 12 – Stratton
Next SeVEDS Board meeting June 21st