Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies

SeVEDS

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June 2016 Minutes

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SeVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

June 16. 2016

 

Attendees: Meg Streeter, Anne, Avery, Susan, Luke, Bob, Drew, Peter Adam, Martin, Laura, Kristin

 

Approve term ending board members (Patrick, Anne and Bill)

Motion: Meg Second: Avery Approved by all

Approve new board member Stephen Dotson

Motion: Anne Second: Peter    Approved by all

Approve 2017 Work Plan (approved on June 16, 2017)

Motion: Meg Second: Avery   Approved by all

 

Three topics we hope we can leave today with a better understanding:

  1. SeVEDS Mission  
  2. Funding Sources and whether they are sustainable
  3. What is our region? We are currently Windham County plus four towns

Overview of SeVEDS and History

  • BDCC and SeVEDS are the leaders in economic development
  • Real-estate properties BDCC owned was the financial structure and support for SeVEDS
  • 3 million 700 thousand dollar budget between BDCC and SeVEDS
  • There are a total of 9 staff currently and looking to hire 3 more in the next few weeks
  • The young professionals who are engaging with 30 active members
  • Green Economy Innovation Hub – 30-40 people in four regions in discussion around economic development

Where we are today – we want to focus on some more recent opportunities that we’ve received

In terms of long term strategic planning – BDCC/SeVEDS is really leading this effort for the state of Vermont

Post VY preparation would not have been as successful if it weren’t for SeVEDS – this was incredible success.

There are other similar prospects that are in the works. – Green Economy Innocation Hub

Living Community Challenge

  • Funding for GEIH and the Living Community Challenge
    • CCV and Brooks house could be used for both of these
    • Can incorporate the EPA project
  • This came out of the Green Economy Innovation Hub. We could benefit from this project. Built structures that have a positive net contribution. The Living Community Challenge
  • Can apply this to a college campus
  • LCC vs PCC – the latter being at least three, one of which must be either Water, Energy or Materials, and the other two must be 01—Limits to Growth and 20—Inspiration and Education
  • Initial master plan compliance (valid for up to 3 years)
  • Two simple rules: all imperatives and actual performance (operational for at least 12 months prior to certification)
  • Transect – must select one, likely L3 – village or campus zone (Maybe look for a campus for this project, maybe one located within Brooks House—VCT and/or CCV?)
  • Scale jumping – “nesting” of certain imperatives in larger integral context? “Solutions beyond project footprint are acceptable.”
  • LCC toolkit to be available on website?
  • “Regional Solutions” (pg 16) – maybe near-climate-neutral biomass combustion fits here?
  • 01 – Limits to Growth: previously developed within 100-year floodplain excluded (historic communities developed prior to 1945 exempted)?
  • 02 – Urban Agriculture: Floor Area Ratio (FAR)?
  • 03 – Habitat Exchange: 1:1 development; qualified land set aside (such as Nature Conservancy?)
  • 04 – Human-Powered Living: combination of ped-friendly, bike support, and public transit
  • 05 – Net Positive Water (scale jumping permitted): REI role?
  • 06 – Net Positive Energy (scale jumping permitted): combustion excluded and 1 week energy storage required for critical and emergency services (how? Battery banks?)
  • 07 – Civilized Environment: community programs and historic heritage preservation
  • 08 – Healthy Neighborhood Design: some tough ones here because of the “1/2-mile” scale and the “health and wellness education plan” (details forthcoming…)
  • 09 – Biophilic Environment: Need a plan, and must involve at least one all-day planning project on the topic (and with reference for the plan being a Kellert text) and
    “The plan should include historical, cultural, ecological, and climatic studies that thoroughly examine the site and context for the Community.”
  • 10 – Resilient Community Connections: 4 bullets, all seem reasonable/achievable
  • 11 – Living Materials Plan: 3 parts from LBC: Red List, Responsible Industry, Living Economy Sourcing
  • 12 – Embodied Carbon Footprint: sanctioned carbon offsets (50% less required for renovating/ reusing existing structures/infrastructure
  • 13 – Net Positive Waste: mainly about construction waste management but includes consumer recycling and food composting
  • 14 – Human Scale and Humane Places: detailed guidelines in table but need to check how the Harmony Place plan fits?
  • 15 – Universal Access to Nature & Place: universal access to art, street furniture…sunlight (not sure about this one—seems pretty convoluted in the Transect Table), and water (you don’t need to create access to water if your project does not have “open” water?)
  • 16 – Universal Access to Community Services: PT access 7 – 7?
  • 17 – Equitable Investment: Donation requirement: $0.005/1 of project cost
  • 18 – JUST participation by at least two team members per project in LCC
  • 19  – Beauty & Spirit: Public art reqs
  • 20 – Inspiration & Education: 6 bullets on all levels of project documentation including a website, brochure, maintenance-operations manuals, and a case study of the LCC project.
  • Pilot projects: First Hill in Seattle “Thank you to the Bullitt Foundation, Summit Foundation, Kresge Foundation, and Boeing Foundation…” report document is summation of a year’s work…

RCDI

  • How can we better align the work we are doing with what others are doing in Windham and Bennington
  • Working with organizations in Low-Moderate Income communities
  • To build a network and potentially that is capable to create a Southern Vermont CEDS
  • Two-year program $230,000 USDA contribution

 

WCEDP

  • Project results to date:
    • Projects approved to date: 632 jobs in Windham County associated
    • 747 projects in the pipeline

BDDC

  • Now doing development again for buying properties  
  • When a prospect comes in we can show you a path way to build and develop

What is our funding?

  • BDDC, The State of Vermont, Towns – most of the efforts for the mission has been grants
  • Is there a way to get corporate support? Can you support the organization or a specific project? How do we get this to function?

What should we be working on other than reversing the economic decline?

    • Our regional economy differs than others in Vermont
    • Why don’t we have the data to see if this has been changed? We are learning some new data sources for the county. Some of the data you can get in small but you have the wait until it is released. BDCC has designated funds for data sources.
    • Population is stagnant – we are competing – nationwide rural problem
    • “Reverse the decline” – we are ready to think about the region in a more positive way
    • Let’s talk about growing
    • Instead of the decline – promote the positive
    • Could it be something around green economy? – these seems to around some of our biggest assets
    • Is the mission to create an infrastructure (SeVEDS Projects – economic development) that rivals any place in New England or should we be saying this a place we compete nationally?
    • Virtues Economy – one where people are earning enough to consume.
    • Mission: inspirational, achievable,
    • What does success look like?
      • Vibrant, enable, virtues, aspirational  
      • The accomplish a demographic shift
        • What do you do to attract millennials? New businesses, atmosphere to create to fill that gap? If you don’t fill that gap there will be no one left. How do you change this?
      • If you want to grow the population that’s here, how do you increase diversity? Our economy will not grow if this does not change – work being done by  Alex Beck, Workforce & Education Specialist and Stephen Dotson, new SeVEDS Board Member and Co-Chair of the GEIH International Team
      • Big  Idea: Create a vital and virtues economy.
      • How: Work collaboratively, work regionally
      • We need to be thinking of ourselves in terms of where do I want to live? Where do I want to live? Where do I want to shop?  We are now appealing to a different customer
      • We are going to create the best economic thriving environment in New England

 

  • What we need is people are willing to invest in this – that’s what will create this. Can I risk the capital to do this?
  • We want to create a place for people to want to be here
  • Not enough people
  • Grow your environment
  • Who’s the target audience? – the people who are trying to decide if they want to move here, build an investment, and risk capital
  • The average person moving to the area wouldn’t necessarily be seeing out missions – your business is your audience
  • Is this an organizational goal?
  • It would inform what we are doing and what we tell the region we are doing. So when we have the elevator conversation
  • We are now looking for that investor – how do we reach these people?
  • We have a lot of stories that you can’t really find anywhere – there need to be marketing for these stories – build an archive
  • We want people to come invest here – we still want to someone that will say they want to be here! – you just need to bring a person here
  • Need a corporate business to invest in the Southern Vermont Sustainable marketing plan

 

Sustainable Funding

  • Mission Supporters for growing your environment – tied to employees and would be a reasonable metrics, fee tied to how much the organization makes
  • Messaging on what we are doing – we do have programs and successes that we can point to. Along with the data. All of these thing will be in place soon to do this successfully. Paint the picture for what we are doing and what we need support for.
    • Tie this to the Southern Vermont Sustainable Marketing Planning
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May 2016 Minutes

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SEVEDS Board Agenda Meeting, May 19, 2016, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees: Bob Stevens, Patrick Mooreland, Meg Streeter, Adam Grinold, Kristin Mehalick, Luke Stafford (via phone), Drew Richards, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Martin Langeveld, Peter Yost, and Avery Schwenk

 

The Usual Business

  • Welcome and Gathering – Bob Stevens

There will be a SeVEDS strategy session around our mission at the June board meeting. We will be having a brainstorming session to discuss where we are going next, sustainable funding and the Living Community Challenge

Motioned by Avery Schwenk, Seconded by Peter Yost and Approved by All.

  • Review and Approve Financials  – Kristin Mehalick

Motioned by Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Seconded by Avery Schwek and Approved by All.  

 

Informational Updates

  • SeVEDS Board Member Policy – Bob Stevens

Recommendation form Adam Grinold, BDCC Executive Director: I recommend the SeVEDS Board adopt a policy in which members who serve on the board are not employed by the BDCC. The Executive Director would be exempt from this policy. Currently, the Executive Director serves as the liaison between the BDCC and SeVEDS boards. This role is critical in having affective communication and understanding between the two boards under the current organizational structure. As the ongoing discussion between the BDCC and SeVEDS boards continue, I can envision a time when the Executive Director may no longer need to serve in this role.

Dutch Walsh has resigned from the SeVEDS and the board has approved the resignation.

  • Tri-State CEDS Event – Kristin Mehalick

On May 19th BDCC/SeVEDS along with their partners in Cheshire and Franklin brought together key economic development stakeholders from each of the three states to present the findings of SWOT Analysis of each region’s Comprehensive Economic Strategies (CEDS)

The meeting concluded that each region shared many of the similar strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Link to The Commons article on the Tri-State CEDS Event: http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=14805&page=1#.V1g9nZErKM8

  • Scheduled Selectboard Meetings – Kristin Mehalick

SeVEDS representatives will be attending upcoming Selectboard meetings across the Windham Region to provide an update on SeVEDS initiatives.

June 21st – Dover

July – Londonderry

July 20th – Wilmington

July 27th – Putney

 

Substantive Discussions

 

  • Review SeVEDS 2017 Work Plan – Kristin Mehalick

 

2017 SeVEDS Work Plan

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies

  1.  Maintain a valid Windham Region CEDS
  2. a) Coordinate biannual CEDS Committee Meetings
  3. b) Manage 2016 CEDS projects update process
  4. c) Secure 2017 projects selection process

 

  1. Pursue most effective longerterm BDCC/SeVEDS relationship
  2. a) Explore 501(c) 3 if appropriate after receiving 501c-6 group status
  3. b) Update implementation and financing plan for ongoing CEDS work

 

  1.  Continue expanded Southern Vermont Partnerships
  2. a) Explore opportunities with other regional partners on SoVermont Zone activities. Which include assessing opportunities to expand Workforce, Young Professionals efforts and implementation in Southern Vermont.
  3. b) Advise and assist Bennington County as needed and able in organizing themselves for CEDS development. Partner with Bennington County Region to host a Southern Vermont Economic Development Summit.
  4. c) Share economic success stories from Southern Vermont and present the steps needed to develop the Southern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

 

  1. Continue coordination of Green Economy Innovation Hub development  
  2. a) Manage current grants and funding
  3. b) Promote ongoing cluster activities
  4. c) Receive cluster analysis in November 2016
  5. d) Share and promote results and opportunities of cluster analysis
  6. e) Develop strategy for implementation

 

  1. Green Mountain Innovation Network
  2. a) Act upon results of the Accelerator Feasibility Study
  3. b) Hire Green Mountain Innovation Network Program Manager
  4. c) Identify and leverage funding sources for future sustainability of the program
  5. d) Develop a metrics system for evaluating success of the innovation ecosystem

 

  1. Continue to develop a Workforce Center of Excellence Collaborative between providers and users of workforce development services
  2. a) Continue to identify training, support, or other resource gaps
  3. b) Develop and deliver Fast Tracks to Success regional career awareness program
  4. c) Submit additional grants and secure expanded funding
  5. d) Continue to develop Regional Workforce Development Systems Map
  6. e) Continue to provide project management support of the Internship Program
  7. f) Stay informed of and participate in statewide and national internship programs
  8. g) Identify needs and opportunities in workforce recruitment. Along with necessary funding support and implementation.

 

  1.  Grow and Expand Young Professionals Program  
  2. a) Better align Young Professionals Program with BDCC and SeVEDS efforts
  3. b) Continue regional social and professional program development
  4. c) Increase YP membership across the region
  5. d) Maintain and enhance  communications/marketing plan in collaboration with other BDCC/SeVEDS organizational plans
  6. e) Cultivate relationships with regional YP groups
  7. f) Maintain an active role in the annual Young Professionals Statewide Summit
  8. g) Develop and implement database of members that captures education and important demographic data

 

Other

  1.  Continue to maintain connections/collaborations with Tri-State CEDS alignment opportunities

 

  • Review SeVEDS 2017 Budget – Kristin Mehalick

 

Budget reviewed and approved by the board.

 

Other Business / Announcements

  • Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, Thursday, June 16th, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

 

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

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
    • FYI -Two new interns- Brendan @ In-Sight, Evan @ Putney Coop
    • FYI -2 Interns in process
    • FYI- Digital Advertising Campaign has yielded 2 new businesses & 2

intenship inquiries

    • FYI-Fast Tracks to Success continues to progress
    • FYI- Awarded $9,000 for Regional Workforce Partnership Grant to fund

Business Cluster Roundtable Initiative

 

 

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

 

    • Upcoming YP “Pre-Treat”-Sunday, May 15th 9-4pm @ The White House
    • Will be discussing mission, vision, branding with SeVEDS/BDCC & membership details
    • Also finalizing 6-month calendar dates
    • May YP is Gardening for Renters @ Marlboro Grad School, May 26th 5:30-7.

 

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April 2016 Minutes

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SEVEDS Board Agenda Meeting, April 28, 2016, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm, BDCC

Attendees: Patrick Moreland, Adam Grinold, Avery Schwenk , Meg Streeter, Jill James, Susan McMahon, Peter Yost, Luke Stafford and Kristin Mehalick

 

The Usual Business

  • Welcome and Gathering

Peter Yost, Vice Chair of the SeVEDS Board welcomed board members

Minutes reviewed. Motion to be approved by Meg Streeter, seconded by Avery Schwenk and approved by all.

  • Review and Approve Financials – Jill James

Financials reviewed. $5,000 in the printing and advertising from contract with Mondo Media. This amount is incorrect. This is amount it so be divided among SeVEDS and BDCC. Motion to be approved by Avery Schwenk, seconded by Susan McMahon and approved by all.

 

Informational Updates

  • Update from BDCC Executive Director – Adam Grinold

Board resignations from Jill James and Berta Maginniss

Dutch Walsh has become the new Real Estate and Property Manager at BDCC. Due to start at BDCC in the middle of May

Since Jill’s resignation it is important to find board members who represent Rockingham and Bellows Falls

  • Tri-State CEDS Group – Kristin Mehalick
    • Review of CEDS SWOT Comparison for the Tri-State Region

As part of the EDA grant, each of the planning commissions in Windham, Cheshire and Franklin have been meeting to complete a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of each of their CEDS. These finds and outcomes will be presented at an upcoming event on May 19th.

  • CEDS Stakeholder Event: Thursday, May 19th, 9:00 – 11:00 am at SIT
  • Overview of BDCC/SeVEDS New Marketing Materials – Adam Grinold, RT Brown and Alex Beck

BDCC has contracted with Mondo Media to complete new logo images, report templates, press release templates and online advertising ads. There is now a true integration of the BDCC/SeVEDS logos. This is an exciting branding opportunity! BDCC has also become an organizational member of BCTV and has planned to air segments on projects and programs.

 

Substantive Discussions

  • Review SeVEDS 2017 Work Plan – Kristin Mehalick

Brief/quick overview of the drafted 2017 SeVEDS Work Plan. The 2017 work plan and budget will be reviewed in more detail at the May board meeting

 

  • Accelerator Feasibility Study Presentation & Update on Green Economy Innovation Hub – Vital Economy

Frank Knott and Jim Haugewood of Vital Economy presented the board with the findings of the Accelerator Feasibility study.

Review of the study objectives: 1) assess, 2) conduct and 3) recommend

What we tested: Four County study of a true business accelerator

Resource Assessment Conclusions:

Business and entrepreneurship resources exist in a variety of forms, but are not well recognized, understood or easily identifiable for a point of entrance.

Business capital is not a problem, the resource issue is the network between funders and entrepreneurs and the need for better and more complete plans.

“People choose to live in Vermont”  – the high quality of life and social ethic is an indigenous resource that can be leveraged to grow and attract niche entrepreneurs.

The innovation ecosystem assets and resources do not collectively utilize best practices  in program operations and economic strategies.

The region is well above average in access to the most importance resource for a healthy innovation ecosystem; Human Capital.

The area is not seen as an innovation hub, it is overshadowed by Burlington and Boston.

The region does not have all the resources available to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and should not look to duplicate but rather connect to others.

There is no branded entrepreneurship initiative or communication strategy for the region.

Needs Assessment Conclusions:

To strengthen and secure the long term performance of an innovation ecosystem the region needs to fill gaps in the following resource areas.

Mentors with specialty skills and experience that can concentrate and commit to extended support of individual businesses and startups.

Specialized expertise that can be directly accessed or can be provided through educational programs;

More idea igniters both formal and informal sources. Once ignition has occurred the ecosystem must be able to identify them and support them through a open system model.

Be proactive to create more intersections between entrepreneurs, mentors and funders, social events, TED type talks, pitch programs, or entrepreneur celebrations

Multiple locations in the region that provide a “home” or ‘hub” for entrepreneurs to work and network; co-working spaces, makers labs, or technology centers

Improved Internet access through wireless, cell and landline broadband service.

Create chaos, free and open environment for inventors and entrepreneurs that spans town boundaries.

A consistent communication plan that highlights entrepreneurship and innovation

Accelerator Feasibility Conclusions:

It does not appear that a traditionally designed accelerator program is feasible at this point in time and will not be until a number of market fundamentals improve.

The region requires a more productive innovation ignition climate that can be supported by existing experienced finance and mentor programs to launch new ventures while gaining valuable local experience.

Starting now, local and regional economic development entities can develop relationships and alliances with Universities and research institutions which are directly related to the targeted industry sectors.

BDCC can lead the building of a networked innovation ecosystem by convening, connecting and leveraging existing programs, facilities and resources.

The region can begin to expand the establishment of meet up locations and programs that build relationships and generate ideas in multiple towns.

Virtual communication and access to resources must be created to remove distance as a barrier.

Themed meetup and startup events where innovations can be explored can be designed and launched for the four targeted industry sectors (One event per sector per year)

Recommendations:

Create the regional Green Mountain Innovation Network (GMIN) using a collaborative Input/output pipeline model (slide 19 & 20)

Maximize idea ignition to accelerate creation and deal flow (slide 21)

Implement a performance metrics framework relative to development time (slide 22)

Build tech transfer opportunities with the region’s research centers

Fund BDCC staff role to coordinate GMIN and launch Windham activities

Develop a private/public/philanthropic GMIN investment pool by year 3

Establish a Five-Year Implementation & Funding Plan to Sustain the GMIN

 

Other Business / Announcements

  • BDCC Semi-Annual Meeting, Wednesday, April 27th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, SIT
  • Idea Jam – Instig8 VT, Thursday, May 5th, 6:00 pm, The Vermont Jazz Center
  • CEDS Stakeholder Event, Thursday, May 19th, 9:00 – 11:00 am, SIT

 

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

  • General CEDS
    • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
      • Town Meeting Day Total Funding: $76,474.00

 

  • CEDS Objective 2: Create an entrepreneurial environment and culture to enhance existing business and grow new business.
    • Board 2016 Priority:
      • Review of Accelerator Feasibility Study results in the substantive discussion

 

  • CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding laborshed
    • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing

 

  • CEDS Objective 4: Increase the size and quality of the workforce
    • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
      • FYI -One new intern- Jillian @ Logic Branch
      • FYI -3 Interns in the process
      • FYI- Digital Advertising Campaign will start soon
      • FYI-Conducted School board presentations to Twin Valley, BUHS, BFUHS School Boards

 

  • CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
    • Young Professionals – Alex Beck
    • “Community Crawl” April 16th, 4-10pm YP’s will go around Brattleboro, leaving social media reviews/posts to boost web presence of local businesses (4-7:30)
    • Begun deepening relationships with Downtown Brattleboro Alliance & Chamber of Commerce
    • Board 2016 Priority: SoVT Recruiting
      (TENTATIVE) 6-Month YP Calendar
      May
      YP Mix @ Whetstone post Brewers-Fest (Brattleboro)
      Charlie Nardozzi “Gardening for Renters” (Location TBA)
      June
      Wilson’s Barn Ho-Down? (Dummerston)
      Late Night @ the Latchis (Brattleboro)

July
Zoar Outdoor  (Wilmington)
First-Time Home-Buyer w/ Windham Windsor Housing Trust  (Dianich Gallery, Brattleboro)
August
Brattleboro Field Day & Tie-Dye (VABEC Fields?)
Manchester mix (Manchester YP’s)
September
Apple Picking & Cider Making (Green Mountain Orchards)
October
Beaver Lanes Disk Golf (Wilmington)
Energy Efficiency for Renters with Efficiency Vermont, SEVCA, BuildingGreen (Brattleboro)

 

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March 2016 Minutes

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SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes, March 17, 2016 | 3 pm- 5 pm  BDCC

Attendees: Bob Steven, Patrick Mooreland, Meg Streeter, Adam Grinold, Kristin Mehalick, Alex Beck, Jill James (Phone), Bill Covlin, Luke Stafford, Drew Richards, Berta Magginness, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Susan McMahon, Martin Langeveld , Guest: Stephen Dotson

 

The Usual Business

  • Welcome and Gathering
  • Approve Minutes – approved
  • Review and Approve Financials – Jill
    • New DOL Grant started: Alex’s Salary has moved completely to BDCC
    • Influx of Cash for past month
      • Town of Brattleboro (2015)
      • YP Funds for February
      • Grant Funding Pay-out
      • Meg Motions, Bill Seconds, Financials Approved
  • Reschedule April Board Meeting – Bob
    • Rescheduled to: April 28th, 3-5 pm
  • Chair Comments
    • Executive committee meeting prior to the SeVEDS board meeting to have more detailed conversations around the SeVEDS organization.
    • BDCC/SeVEDS Structure meetings – ongoing conversations around the structure of SeVEDS. We are trying to define clearly what we are now which is an affiliate organization of BDDC. We are getting clearer about how the organization’s work, what are the differences and how do we work together. It is getting clearer and more to come. We will continue to evolve. There’s value to having a 5013 ©. SeVEDS would need to be a separate entity. As our regional relationships evolve we may want to revisit SeVEDS regional approach and expanded across counties. Concerned we don’t have a sustainable funding plan for the organization.The executive board would like to come back to the board with recommendations and how we find a sustainable funding source long term. SeVEDS also has a capacity issue and can only dedicate specific resources to certain initiatives. How do we find a way to be sustainable – at least a 10 – 20 year effort. Next steps, the executive committee working as this task force.
    • The idea of matching grant funds with initiatives is needed. What is SeVEDS core funding need to be in existence? Interesting to explore other revenue streams but SeVEDS already has these (state, grant and municipalities).
    • SeVEDS is not a 501 3 © yet
    • BDDC has an audit requirements for SeVEDS whereas SeVEDS is not
    • Most of the time it’s easier for BDDC to be a fiscal sponsor – like the one we are doing now with the McClure foundation

 

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

 

  • General CEDS

 

    • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
      • Vermont Gubernatorial Candidates Visits to the Windham Region – Kristin
        • Candidates took tours and met with local businesses throughout the region. Also met with BDCC/SeVEDS boards to have conversations around initiatives

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority:
      • Accelerator Feasibility Study Update – Kristin
        • FYI: Study Due from Vital Economy: Week of April 25th, recommendation will be given at this time  
        • Istig8 VT Presentation – RT
          • Need for sustainable programing around start-ups and businesses sustainability
          • The need to create sparks and is appealing to everyone, startups and current business growth
          • The EDA funding was planned to hire an accelerator program manager.

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing
      • Green Building Cluster Action Team Meetings Update – Kristin
      • Action Team Meeting Notes: FIRE, Products & Services, and Knowledge Center. These action teams are meeting prior to Milestone 2 and will be conducting asset mapping exercises. These meetings are available in audio format in the above links.
      • FYI – Milestone 2 Event: Wednesday, April 27th 9:00 am – 11:30 am, Location TBD, location will most likely be in Brattleboro. This will be a report out the asset mapping exercise conducted in the break out session meetings

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
    • FYI – Spoke at a panel for AdvanceVT Conference about Internship Program & Workforce Development – Alex
    • FYI -Continuing to meet with High Schools on Fast Tracks to Success – Alex
    • FYI- School Board Orientation Meetings began 3/14 – Alex
      • Presenting to these leadership teams to engage and educate them
      • Applying for funding from a variety of sources – SeVEDS is 1 o f 7 chosen by the McClure foundation to submit a full application for funding
    • $50,000.00 in potential funding from the USDA and McClure foundation to focus on business roundtables – job creation narrative is not helping us as much as we could, the actual problem is who is going to be filling these jobs
    • Imavermonter.com a website that’s focused on
      • BDCC is promoting this – need to raise $5,000.00 to be on this website and would include people of color on the website. There currently is not representation in the Windham county

 

 

  • CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
  • Board 2016 Priority: SoVT Recruiting – Alex

 

    • YP Gala – Alex
      • 286 (potentially more) attendees, 100 tickets at pre-sale
      • Gross Revenue ~$5,000
      • Net Revenue ~$3,000
      • Steering Committee Meeting this past Monday
      • April event with Downtown Brattleboro Alliance
      • Next Six Month Calendar to be designed – want to hold of candidate forum around economic development that will be in partnership with the Bennington County
      • The Retreat keeps talking about engaging a commuter bus from MA up to VT – this doesn’t grow the population but gets people here to spend money. Problem: how do we find and connect with them?


Substantive Discussions

  • Town Meeting Day Review – Kristin
    • Total funding received
    • Lessons learned
    • October – November – SeVEDS should be added to all town reports
    • Were not funded in the town of Londonderry because SeVEDS has not showed representation at Town Meeting day.

 

Town Potential Funding for FY 2017
Brattleboro Pending – $25,000.00
Rockingham $15,000.00
Westminster $9,534.00
Putney $8,106.00
Vernon $6,600.00
Wilmington $5,628.00
Dover $3,372.00
Marlboro $3,234.00
Total $51,474.00

 

Other Business / Announcements (as needed)

 

  • Next Regular Board Meeting – April  28th 3:00 – 5:00 pm
  • BDCC Semi-Annual Meeting, Wednesday, April 27th 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Location TBD

 

 

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February 2016 Minutes

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SEVEDS Board Agenda Meeting, February 11, 2016 | 2 pm-4 pm  BDCC

Attendees: Bob Stevens, Meg Streeter, Bill Colvin, Luke Stafford, Avery Schwenk, Berta Magginness, Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Jill James , Susan McMahon, Patrick Moreland, Peter Yost, Martin Langeveld, Kristin Mehalick and Alex Beck

 

The Usual Business

  • Welcome and Gathering
  • Bob Stevens suggested to the board the time of the monthly board meeting be  

moved to 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Board agreed and approved this change.

  • Approve Minutes
  • Motion to approve the minutes made by Bob Stevens, seconded by Meg Streeter

and approved unanimously

  • Review and Approve Financials – Jill
  • The SeVEDS Executive Committee will reviewing the financials in depth prior to

each board meeting

  • Motion to approve the financials  made by Bob Stevens, seconded by Meg Streeter

and approved unanimously

 

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.

 

    • Board 2016 Priority:
      • Vital Economy Visit to the Region – Kristin
      • Frank Knott and Jim Haguewood were in region the week of January 25th and met with a number of the region’s businesses regarding the Green Building Cluster and Accelerator. Some of those businesses included, Bennington Regional Planning Commission/Regional Development Commission, Peter Elwell and Patrick Moreland from the Town of Brattleboro, Fairpoint, Green Mountain Power, Vermont Department of Financial Regulation
        • Green Building Cluster
        • Accelerator
          • Continuing to conducted the feasibility study of the region and determining what the entrepreneurial climate looks like.
  • CEDS Objective 3: Improve wage parity with the surrounding laborshed
    • Board 2016 Priority: Green Building, Healthcare, Tech Driven Precision Manufacturing
      • Milestone 1 Event Recap – Kristin and Bob
      • The GB Milestone 2 Event took place on Wednesday, January 27th at Marlboro Graduate School. 56 people from businesses and organizations across the Tri-State Region. This was an exciting opportunity to bring assets from across all regions and form breakout sessions of each key area (Knowledge Center, Products and Services, and FIRE – Finance, Insurance and Real Estate). Next steps: each action team will be meeting as smaller groups at the end of February

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program – Alex
      • FYI -Placed 2 new Interns- Haytham (United Way) & Rachael (Pine Heights)
      • Struggling to find health care organizations that will place an intern because of the patient confidentiality laws
      • FYI -Recruited 2 new businesses
        • Community Collaborative for Guildford
        • Windham Central Supervisory Union- Act 46 Intern
      • FYI- WETF Program has been fully funded – the “Fast Track to Success” grant has been funded and is working with the local high schools throughout the region the early stages of planning   
      • FYI- School Board Orientation Meetings begin 2/9 – Alex Beck will be meeting with School Boards throughout the Windham region to introduce board members to the “Fast Tracks to Success” program.

 

 

  • CEDS Objective 5: Retain and attract younger talent through engagement linkages, lifestyle amenities, and meaningful career opportunities
  • Board 2016 Priority: SoVT Recruiting
  • Recently had 50 YP’s attend Grafton Ponds Event
  • YP Gala – The YP Gala will take place on Saturday, February 27th, 7:30 pm at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center
  • Press Release Sent Out
  • $1,400 in-cash raised
  • $1,000 in-kind
  • Will be continuing marketing efforts through event date

 

 

Substantive Discussions

  • Review Materials for Town Meeting Day – Kristin
    • The board would like a question and answer documents
    • 10-12 questions
    • What is SeVEDS?, What is the difference between BDCC and SeVEDS? What have our successes been in the last year?, What are we currently doing? Number and location of all Internships in each town?
    • Need to broaden the communication plan for SeVEDS as a whole – posting in local papers, more PR is needed
  • YP Gala Fundraising Update

Cash Donations: $2,050, In-Kind Donations: ~$1,049, Ticket Sales: $227.46

Total Cash Received: $2,277

Projected Expenses: $1,980

Our current list of Partners are: ($500+)

Mondo Mediaworks

Brattleboro Savings & Loan

New Chapter, Inc.

Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center

 

Our current list of Sponsors are: ($100-499)

Chroma Technologies

Whetstone Station

SIT Graduate Institute

Trinity Botanicals

Mount Snow

 

Raffle & Auction Items:

Mount Snow

A Two night stay with skiing at the Grand Summit at Mount Snow for two. 

Four lift tickets

Two foursomes for 18 holes.

Bromley Mountain

2 All-Day Adventure Passes

Stratton

2 Lift Tickets

Whetstone Station

2x $50 Gift Cards

Hermit Thrush

Brew Your Own Batch

Nature Spa

3 month Membership

Trinity Botanicals

Gift Basket

Vermont Packing House

12lbs of Bacon!

 

Other Business / Announcements (as needed)

 

Next Regular Board Meeting will be on Thursday, March 17th  3pm-5pm.  Location BDCC

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January 2016 Minutes

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

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

Via Conference Call:  Berta Maginniss

 

The Usual Business

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

 

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

 

  • General CEDS

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

           looking for sponsorship and in-kind auction prizes.

  • Event Proposal

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

Substantive Discussions

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

 

Other Business / Announcements (as needed)

 

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

 

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December 2015 Minutes

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SEVEDS Board Agenda Meeting, December 17, 2015 | 3pm-5pm BDCC

In Attendance:  Dutch Walsh, Patrick Moreland, Bill Colvin, Jill James, Bob Stevens, Luke Stafford, Drew Riachards, Martin Langeveld , Ariel Brooks Avery Schwenk, Laura Sibilia, Kristin Mehalick, Alex Beck, Adam Grinold, Jodi Clark,

Via Conference Call:  Carolyn Blitz

 

The Usual Business

  • Welcome and Gathering
  • Groundbreaking at GSP-the event has now been moved to 12:30 pm on January 28th, Eli Goulds will follow at 2:00 pm
  • Approve Minutes
  • October Minutes
  • November Minutes
  • Review and Approve October and November Financials – Jill
    • Financials approved for October and November
    • Planning to form a Committee to resolve some of the SeVEDS   

financial issues

  • Executive Committee Recommendation on New SeVEDS Board  Chair – Ariel
    • Motion approved – Bob Stevents elected as new SeVEDS Board

Chair

    • Looking for someone to be reappointed in July
  • January Board Meeting Location and Confirming New Meeting Time 3:00 – 5:00 pm
    • Moving the meeting back to 2-4 pm

 

CEDS and FY ‘16 Board Priority Area Updates

 

  • General CEDS –

 

    • CEDS Committee and Scheduling – Jodi
    • CEDS Committee needs to meet twice a year
    • All of SeVEDS Board plus additional members
    • Meet set for January 21st 1:00 pm, right before SeVEDS board   

meeting

    • January 21st  CEDS Committee Meeting – Jodi
    • Press Release Event, January 4th? – Jodi
    • CEDS Objective 1: Act Regionally
    • FYI: Update on CEDS Project Proposals Received and Review Team -Jodi
    • Approval of 2015 CEDS Project Rankings – Jodi
    • Vital projects: the highest priority and more urgent
    • Every project that is submitted receives the benefit of being a part of

the CEDS

 

  • What is the process for challenging a ranking: board has the opportunity to change the rankings but has never done so previously
  • Suggestion to rank all projects below the vital line in alphabetical order and the vitals to remain ranked – motion approved

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: FYI Update of Accelerator – Kristin (see below in consultant update)

 

 

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

 


1- Depth and breadth of assets supporting development of products and services for green, sustainable and resilient high performance buildings is even more significant than initially mapped.

2- Economic development, education and private sector players in the green building space are very energized about the opportunity to connect assets across state and county boundaries.

3- Leadership team for the Green Building Cluster is strong and diverse in terms of sector expertise. Members seem genuinely excited about the potential of the growth opportunity that can be realized.

4- Windham Counties export growth relative to other counties in the region as well as compared to VT and NH  as a whole is quite impressive. (5.6% or almost $216 Million from 2012-2013)

5- Workforce development solutions for higher paying certified career positions is urgent across numerous industries and requires an accelerated and higher quality sustainable systems solution now.
    Multiple companies are expanding in the region (advanced manufacturing,healthcare, technology, hospitality, etc.

6- Support services for development of entrepreneurs and innovations within existing businesses is much stronger in Franklin and Cheshire County than in Windham and Bennington County

7-Post-secondary graduation completions (3,500+ in 2014) far exceed current job placement demand, which means the region can support initial growth projections for the green building cluster.Know that there are businesses in the area that are not expanding in the area due to lack of resources


8- 5,265 persons of ages 29 and younger are commuting outside the region to find work. This presents a real opportunity to grow the millennial workforce within the region. What is the education at this level?


9- There is no recognized “hub” for entrepreneurs and innovators in the region. This supports the need for a regional business accelerator resource

10- Talent attraction is an issue all over the region. However, there  are indications that the “sustainability ethic” of the region is a strong attractor for younger talent from other regions Jim’s visit to the region the week of December 7th. Attracting employees from across the United States

 

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: Workforce Development and Internship Program
      • FYI – 2 New Internship Opportunities Posted
      • FYI – WETF Grant Submitted (Attached)
      • 2 Interns in Process

 

 

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

 

    • Board 2016 Priority: SoVT Recruiting
  •  So.VT YP- Katie Nicgorski from Mnt. Snow Region new steering      

 committee member

  • Six Month event calendar
      • Leaders out across the region reaching out to other young professionals
  • Fundraiser planned for February 27th, “Creative Black Tie Gala”, currently looking for sponsorship and in-kind auction prizes.
      • Fundraiser for the YP Group
      • Hoping to hold a slide auction and engaged the whole community
      • Community wide event

 

 

  • CEDS Objective 6: Refine and implement VY-specific workforce and site impact mitigation strategies related to it’s closure

 

    • Tri State CEDS alignment – Adam/Laura

 

Substantive Discussions

  1. Regional Selectboard meetings and scheduling – board discussion on petitioning -Kristin and Laura
    1. What assistants we can rely on from the board for attending the town meetings in March – being mindful of where we are putting our efforts in
    2. Focus efforts on higher population of towns
    3. Tracking list for each town meeting
    4. Utilizing the Young Professionals group for town meeting day
  2. Frank Knott on Accelerator
    1. Frank provided an update on the Accelerator and the feasibility study that is being conducted throughout the region
    2. Frank and Jim will be back in region the week of January 25th to continue the  feasibility and facilitate the Green Building Milestone 1 Event

 

Other Business / Announcements (as needed)

 

  • 501c3 Status Update (if any) – Adam/Laura
  • No update

 

Next Regular Board Meeting will be on Thursday, January 21st.  Location BDCC

 

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