Category Archives: Minutes
SeVEDS meeting minutes.
SeVEDS Board minutes July 2012
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
Minutes April 12, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
April 12, 2012 – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Jenna Pugliese, Barb Sondag, Lisa Sullivan, Drew Richards, Bob Stevens. David Alstadt, Colby Dix, Tim Cullenen, Greg Noble, Susan McMahon, Patrick Moreland, Laura Sibilia
Absent: Stephan Morse, Jeff Lewis, Dan Yates, Julia Sorenson, Bill Covin
Bob called the meeting to order at 2:05
LS motioned to approve the Minutes from 3/15 2nd by GN VOTE: Unanimous
Financials – discussion on moving the 2K paid to the WWIB out of Salaries and Benefits. BS motioned to accept the financials 2nd by CD VOTE: Unanimous
Task Force Updates
- PR/Marketing – The group was unable to meet. Discussion by the board on the need for better internal communications within Windham County and the state. Brief discussion on some dissatisfaction within the region being expressed to legislators regarding the inclusiveness of SeVEDS. Pr/Marketing to work on Internal Communications Strategy
- Young Professionals – The YP task force updated the board on their first event – good attendance, about 20. YP events to be held every other month around the region.
- Innovation Indexing – discussion: Benchmarking and updating data. Patrick, Laura and Tim meeting on Thursday April 19th.
- Workforce/CCV/VTC updates – David updated the board on SeVEDS wf meetings and noted both he and Colby would be speaking on SeVEDS Wf issues at the BDCC semi –annual meeting
- Post VY – brief discussion on pending legislation (Stephan and Jeff absent due to testifying at hearing on legislation)
Update on grant application CEDS – Laura informed the board that she continues to talk with Matt on the status of this application.
Updates on Upcoming Grant/Project opportunities and connection to SeVEDS – Laura updated the board that there had been no change yet on the Windham County being left out of the 80% funding target for CDBG disaster funding
EDA Discussion – Workforce/Marketing tie ins to existing SeVEDS strategies – Laura forwarded board members answers to questions they had asked at the last meeting regarding SeVEDS proposed 50K investment in the Windham/Bennington Region Disaster Recovery Plan Grant Application. It was noted that SeVEDS does not yet have the 50K to invest, but that the board needs to make a decision to be a part of the application due to timing of application submittal.
Patrick spoke about CEDS needing to be the first priority of SeVEDS, and that developing a capital projects list was a critical need. Gregg asked about Bennington County’s investment in the WF section, and did not think SeVEDS should be investing match funds for services outside on the Windham region. Discussion about whether or not SeVEDS could pull back its investment if the EDA CEDS application was turned down. Both Susan and Barb indicated that would be likely as an option. Barb noted that the 50K investment was not in hand, and that SeVEDS believed this was the highest priority, we should be empowered to go out and start “tapping shoulders” for funds.
Barb moved that SeVEDS invest up to $50,000 in the Southern Vermont Disaster Recovery Grant Application for workforce objectives, and that amount be no more than 20% of the overall Windham region project cost 2nd by Colby VOTE: Unanimous
Discussion about SeVEDS Annual Meeting as described in the bylaws. This is when officers are voted in. The board talked for several minutes about when and where and what the annual meeting should be, then charged the Executive Board with making a recommendation at the next meeting on May 17th.
Meeting adjourned at 3:46
Minutes March 15, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
March 15, 2012 – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Stephan Morse, Bob Stevens, Drew Richards, Barb Sondag, Tim Cullenen, Dave Alstadt, Patrick Moreland, Susan McMahon, Gregg Noble, Lisa Sullivan, Colby Dix (by phone), Laura Sibilia
Absent: Jeff Lewis, Jenna Pugiliese, Julia Sorenson, Dan Yates, Bill Colvin
Bob called the meeting to order at 1:06
LS moved to accept the Minutes from 2/16 2nd by GN – VOTE: Unanimous
Financials – Board reviewed financials
Discussion about SED hearing – scheduled for March 30 in the morning in Brattleboro, members of SeVEDS to testify. Plans are still fluid. Laura to keep board updated as this develops. SeVEDS board members are encouraged to attend.
Task Force Updates
PR/Marketing – Greg, Lisa and Colby reviewed actions from their meeting – have reserved domains advancevermont.com, advancevt.com, vermontadvantage.com and vtadvantage.com. Colby has migrated website and above URLs as well as seveds.com now point there. Discussions about producing get in touch with us oversize business cards similar to those used by Retreat. Committee will try to get them in time for the SED hearing.
Young Professionals – Lisa reviewed and read from Jenna’s notes (attached). Preliminary plans are quarterly meetings with a combined social /educational theme. First meeting is March 29th from 5:30 – 7 at Stratton. Deputy Commissioner Pat Moulton-Powden has been invited to speak and participate in Q&A. Committee requests budget of up to $400 per meeting for food and speaker needs. SeVEDS board members to forward names to Laura asap for invitation to the 29th event.
Innovation – Tim reminded the board that he has signed on for this task force. Patrick reviewed some benchmarking that can be done on the economy via statsamerica.com. Susan and Laura participated in a webinar regarding using benchmarking data for developing CEDS, and the statsamerica.com site was a significant part of the presentation. The second significant resource discussion was for clustermapping.us. Susan asked Laura to forward a study done on the Berkshires that is on that website. (http://www.isc.hbs.edu/pdf/Berkshires_Rural_Strategy_Project_2006.pdf)
Workforce/CCV/VTC updates – David reviewed a ven diagram he constructed using the SeVEDS strategies and objectives and his experience with the WWIB efforts. WF is primarily broken down into three overlapping segments: Skills Development, Recruitment and Retention and Economic Analysis. The WWIB is primarily engaged in Skills Development. A proposed new SeVEDS workforce position would work on Recruitment and Retention and Economic Analysis (with some of the analysis being done during CEDS development). Post VY – Stephan updated the board on the POST VY report presentation and the request for Windham County to be declared a Special Economic Development Zone.
Update on grant application: CEDS grant application has been moved to EDA from grants.gov – Laura is waiting to speak with Matt S. when he returns from vacation on follow up.
Updates on Upcoming Grant/Project opportunities and connection to SeVEDS –
Brattleboro 2012 SeVEDS participation – Laura and board member to go to March 20 Brattleboro Selectboard meeting to request 50K SeVEDS appropriation from their CDBG program funds for FY 2012.
EDA Discussion – Laura reviewed the outline of an EDA Disaster Recovery grant for Windham and Bennington Counties that BDCC and WRC are applying for with the board. SeVEDS is being asked to consider making a 50,000 match for the 150K request in EDA funds for work force. Outline projects funding the following positions for two years: WWIB (.5), Bennington WIB at (.2) and SeVEDS new workforce position at (.5). Board members asked a variety of questions regarding who is the administrating agent for the WF program, what the job descriptions were for the positions, and why SeVEDS was getting involved in disaster recovery. The conversation was lengthy and went past 4 pm. There was discussion about tabling the request until the April meeting. Laura explained that the state and feds were repeatedly encouraging regions to get there applications in now, and said if the discussion were tabled, the WF piece might have to be removed. Bob asked that the SeVEDS board meet in two weeks for Laura to answer the questions posed by board members and for a vote on whether or not SeVEDS would contribute to the application.
Next Meeting is April 12th at 2 PM at Brattleboro Municipal Center
Minutes Young Professional Meeting 3/8/12
First Event:
Speaker:
- Lawrence Miller
- Honora Winery Proprietor
- Grafton Cheese Proprietor
Followed by Cocktail Hour and interactive activity
Ask all Board members to recommend 2 people for the first meeting
Date: March 29 at 5:30
Would like to ask SeVEDS board for $300 per meeting. We would like to meet quarterly. $1200 annually.
Criteria for invitations:
- Under 45 years old
- Working in the SeV region
- Actively employed
- ?
One list of invitees is created, personal invitations from board members will be requested.
Need to create public Face Book Group.
Minutes February 16, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
February 16, 2012 – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Bob Stevens, Jenna Pugiliese, Jeff Lewis, Barb Sondag, Lisa Sullivan, Susan McMahon, Julia Sorenson, Colby Dix, Bill Colvin, Patrick Moreland, Laura Sibilia
Absent: Stephan Morse, Drew Richards, Dan Yates, David Alstadt, Gregg Noble, Tim Cullenen
Bob called the meeting to order at 2 PM. Lisa moved to approve the minutes from 01/19 and 2/2 – second by Jeff VOTE: Unanimous
Financials – tabled
Request from Green Island to present to SeVEDS – Multiple members of SeVEDS Board have heard the presentation from the Green Island Project. The board asked Laura to contact them and see if they wanted to meet with her.
Possible Executive Committee Recommendation for Plan and Budget review for 2012 – Board asked Laura to update work spreadsheet with calendar for budgeting.
Update on grant application – Laura had no update to report on the CEDS EDA application.
Upcoming Road Shows: Bob and Laura will present SeVEDS update on Tuesday February 21 at 6 PM – Brattleboro Selectmen. Barb and Bob will present SeVEDS update on Tuesday February 28th 7:30 PM – Windham Regional Commission Westminster Center School, Westminster, VT
Updates on Upcoming Grant/Project opportunities and connection to SeVEDS
CDBG Disaster funds – Laura reported there was no update from ACCD on whether or not HUD had approved their waiver requesting Windham and Rutland Counties be added to the 80% designation for 21 million in funds.
EDA Disaster Recovery – Windham/Bennington: There was a general discussion about working with Bennington County on a combined Region EDA Disaster Recovery Grant for capacity. Bill spoke about Bennington’s willingness to proceed in this exploration.
Laura updated the board on an action taken by the Town of Wilmington to bring on one day a week interim project development person in to continue project development after FEMA leaves. Discussion about brining on similar regional capacity. Lisa Sullivan motioned to spend up to 5,000 to hire one a day week project development assistance for the region for March 1 – July 31. 2nd by Colby Dix VOTE: UNANIMOUS
Project Updates – if any
PR/Marketing meeting set for Monday March 5th at Brattleboro Retreat
Workforce/CCV/VTC updates – Next meeting March 9 2-4 pm Jeff and Barbara to be added to WF group with Stephan, David, Colby, Julia. Jenna to send Stratton HR.
Post VY – none
Task Force Discussion – Young Professionals Group (Jenna, Lisa, Colby) will meet March 8th at 6 PM at Apres Vous in Wilmington
Meeting Schedule discussion: The board discussed a trial board/TF schedule as follows: 1st Thursday for Task Force and 3rd for SeVEDS Board. Summaries from the Task Force Meetings will be forwarded to the Board.
Minutes February 2, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
February 2, 2012 – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Lisa Sullivan, Martin Langeveld (Post VY), Colby Dix, Patrick Moreland, Jeff Lewis, Jenna Pugiliese (by phone), Julia Sorenson, Laura Sibilia, Dan Yates
Absent: Gregg Noble, Stephan Morse, Bob Stevens, Barb Sondag, Susan McMahon, Bill Colvin, Tim Cullenen, David Alstead, Drew Richards
No motions were made due to lack of quorum
Minutes from 01/19 – approval postponed
EDA Technical Assistance grant is in
Updates on Road Show:
Laura and Jeff made presentation to Arts Commission, results mixed, some said they were happy someone was doing this – after meeting disappointment in lack of obvious arts tie in was noted
Barb, Bob, Jeff and Laura made presentation to Windham County Delegation at Statehouse. Reception was positive and offers to look for workforce funding were made.
Bob, Jeff and Laura made presentation BF/Rock combined board. Well received – feedback was it is a lot of information – challenge is to shorten presentation without losing impact. Gregg has offered to work on this.
Informational and Upcoming Grant/Project possibilities – Laura updated the board on regional disaster and long term funding opportunities on the horizon including CDBG, EDA Disaster Recovery and Sustainable Communities
Project Updates
PR/Marketing – meeting Feb 14
Website – up
Workforce/CCV/VTC updates – no update
Post VY – Martin Langeveld came to discuss the draft Post VY impact and mitigation report
At next SeVEDS meeting, board would like to discuss having main board meet once a month and task force groups meet once a month.
Meeting adjourned at 3:30
Minutes January 19, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
January 19th – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Bob Stevens, Laura Sibilia, Dennis Dunnigan (FEMA), Chad Atkinson (FEMA), Dave Alstadt, Jenna Pugiliese, Pat Moulton-Powden, Bill Colvin, Drew Richards, Colby Dix, Stephan Morse, Patrick Moreland, Susan McMahon, Barb Sondag
Absent: Julia Sorenson, Gregg Noble, Dan Yates, Lisa Sullivan, Jeff Lewis, Tim Cullenen
Updates: Board discussed Gov’s proposed joint downtown Brattleboro CCV/VTC campus. Pat reminded board that proposal needs to pass legislature. Discussion regarding SeVEDS workforce funding proposal and WWIB funding from last year, and need this year.
Minutes from 01/05
Updates on funding
-
- EDA Technical Assistance
- i. Letters of support from for grant came from: The Richards Group, WRC, Town of Wilmington, Town of Brattleboro, Mount Snow Valley Chamber, WWIB, ACCD
- ii. Indirect cost update and revised budget
- 501 c(3) formation – WRC can be used to apply for Federal funds that require a 501© as they are considered a municipality.
- Project Updates
- VE timeline review
- Workforce – David updated work from taskforce. They plan to conduct a listening tour w/ educational institutions and ceo’s group to hear about work force training available and needed. They met with the career center and learned the advisory board has gone dormant. Susan noted the need to stay plugged into the Springfield technical center as many from BF/Rock go in that direction.
- Innovative Economy – Patrick presented some initial research he had done on this strategy topic. Board members were encouraged to look at http://www.statsamerica.org/innovation/index.html which has an abundance of data on it regarding economic development.
- Updates on road show scheduling – next meeting is at BF on Jan 31 6:00 pm
Minutes January 5, 2012
Minutes SeVEDS Board Meeting
January 5th – 2-4PM
Hannah Cosman Room Brattleboro
In attendance: Laura Sibilia, Jenna Pugiliese, Patrick Moreland, Bill Colvin, Colby Dix, Dave Alstadt, Gregg Noble, Stephan Morse, Tim Cullenen, Lisa Sullivan, Julia Sorenson, Susan McMahon, Bob Stevens, Barb Sondag, Drew Richards
Absent: Jeff Lewis, Dan Yates
Financials were reviewed
Minutes from 12/15/2011: Colby made a motion to approve the minutes of the 12/15 meeting, 2nd by Lisa Sullivan VOTE: Unanimous
Updates on funding: Laura provided updates on the following funding sources/opportunities
- Midyear report to ACCD – completed
- EDA Technical Assistance –budget needs to be revised to remove indirect costs, BDCC needs to sign off on application and final support letters secured.
- 501 c(3) formation –no update
Project Updates
- CEDS RFP – Board reviewed draft wants to wait to release RFP until there is an indication from EDA that project will be funded. A few minor edits were suggested.
- Windham County Economic Summit – Laura and Susan to work on draft
Discuss recommendation of small group to:
- Approve PR – PR to be revised by communications task force: Lisa, Greg, Colby, Julia, Laura
- Identify public and private groups to meet with: Scheduling is underway and critical to next year funding. PR needs to be released to promote interest in meeting for civic groups. Select boards to be personally asked for invitation.
Discuss what actions SeVEDS can begin to take from the Strategies and Objectives document:
1. Stephan and Colby were added to the existing workforce small group of Julia, David and Laura to begin working on Objective 2 (below) and immediately on italicized
- 4. Develop a Workforce Center of Excellence Collaborative between providers and users of workforce development services that identifies and connects existing workforce development assets, defines future workforce requirements and gaps by September 2012
Key Metric: Recommend Preferred Workforce Development Collaborative Plan by December 2012
- a. Map workforce development assets and define gaps to be filled
- b. Build strategic relationships between assets
- c. Define 3 to 5 Career Pathways that will meet the needs of the priority industries
- d. Identify workforce development Best Practices appropriate to the region
- e. Recommend Preferred Workforce Development Collaborative Plan by December 2012
- Increase 20-44 age group employment by 20% in five years
Key Metric: By January 2012 Define Top 3 – 5 Industry Clusters with the potential for increasing high-value jobs within the next five years
- By January 2012 Define Top 3 – 5 Industry Clusters with the potential for increasing high-value jobs within the next five years
- Create Action Teams in Q1-2012 around Clusters to identify Strengths (Assets), Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats and value chain gaps
- c. Prioritize at least 2 Clusters for Opportunity Analysis Research that will Action 3.2.D – define at least 2 Niche Markets per Cluster for implementation by October 2012
- d. Develop Immigration Attraction Strategy by April 2012 focused on doubling the percentage of foreign born population in the region from 3.5% to 7% by 2016
- e. Develop a Highly Skilled Professionals recruitment and retention strategy
- Increase Associate Degrees/Some College and Technical Certificates
Key Metric: 18-24 year old age bracket from 38% (1495 persons) to 47% (1884 persons) for net increase of 389 persons by 2016
- 18-24 year old age bracket from 38% (1495 persons) to 47% (1884 persons) for net increase of 389 persons by 2016
- Identify Industry Sectors with critical skill needs
- Work with Secondary, Post-Secondary and Vermont State College System and the broader region to develop education programs to meet industry needs
- d. Partner with UMass
- Identify public and private resources to support a sustainable implementation of workforce development plan
2. The communications task force will begin working on:
Objective 3
- Develop a coordinated regional marketing plan to promote SE Vermont as the best place to live, place, and work.
Objective 4
- Create a Young Professionals Group (YPG) to support and attract 20-44 year old professionals and workers
- By Q4-2011 identify and evaluate strengths and weaknesses of existing young professional networks and social organizations
- Engage a representative group of existing younger individuals (especially 18-35 yrs. old) in the community to assess interests and the role of young professions in the region’s economic future
- As a result of Action 13b recommend a set of activities and actions to be adopted supporting both the YPG and entrepreneurial climate of the regions, such as: business seminars, speakers, business plan competitions, investment forums, social events, etc.
3. Patrick volunteered to begin researching Objective 4
- Define and implement an Innovation Ecosystem within 3 years
- In 2012, assess regional innovation and entrepreneurial climate based upon best practice criteria (Innovation Index): facilities, governance, business services, access to capital, business networks, culture, R&D capacities, etc.
- Convene an Action Team to use the Innovation Index for SeVEDS developed in 12.a to address complex regulatory and other concerns with State and Local jurisdictions.
Next SeVEDS meeting is January 19 at 2 PM at Brattleboro Municipal Center