Category Archives: News
BDCC, Stroll offer $68K in business planning competition prizes
- Farm/Food Division — Existing Businesses
- Farm/Food Division — Startup/New Business
- General Division — Existing Business
- General Division — Startup/New Busines
- Student Division (Farm/Food or General, Existing or New Business)
Vital Project, Storm Petrel receives Intern via SeVEDS Internship Program
1/21/15
Welcome Cody Peters, Champlain College Intern
Storm Petrel proudly announces its continued commitment to promoting higher education and fostering partnerships with New England colleges. We’re bringing Cody Peters on for the spring semester. Cody is a senior at Champlain College participating in his Senior Capstone Project, a five credit course.
The college capstone is an opportunity for students to pursue a self-directed experience in their professional program that intentionally integrates their liberal learning in the Core curriculum with their program learning. In addition to the substantive professional-based, hands-on project in this class, the capstone will include a professional ethics component and a self-evaluation/self-
Cody academic adviser during the course is Cheryl Casey PhD at Champlain College and supervised by Christina Moore at Storm Petrel. His duties will include developing marketing tools and engaging in customer management and coordinating Storm Petrel’s social media presence.
Cody says of himself:
Jan Coplan, intern coordinator for Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) facilitated the internship and provide guidance and oversight to the program.
Let’s go have a great spring (oh, and GO PATS).
See the original press release here.
2015 CEDS Projects Announced
For Immediate Release:
Inquiries to Laura Sibilia at lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.com
Windham Region Vital Projects announced
BRATTLEBORO – Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) announced the top 12 Vital Projects for the updated Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) on Monday January 12th at the River Garden in downtown Brattleboro.
SeVEDS accepted new projects and updated projects for its first annual update of the regions CEDS. The submission period was open from July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014. Projects wishing to be included in the updated CEDS were required to provide a project overview including a detailed description of the project, establish that the applicant has the authority, capacity and the wherewithal to successfully implement the project, establish the likely outcome of the project and establish how that outcome is consistent with the goals and strategies of SeVEDS. Any private or public entity or consortium of entities was able to submit a project for consideration. Applications were only accepted from the entity(s) directly implementing the project. Any entity that submitted a project for the 2013 CEDS was required to provide an update on their project for it to be included in the 2014 CEDS. A total of 42 new and updated projects were submitted.
The new and updated project proposals will be included in the first annual update of the regions Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), as required by the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA). While inclusion of a project in no way guarantees funding of any sort, many federal agencies look more favorably upon projects which have the kind of broad support inclusion in a region CEDS indicates. EDA often requires a CEDS be in place for a region in order for a project grant application to be considered.
The CEDS process requires that all projects submitted should be acknowledged in the CEDS. Therefore all submitted projects will be included in the CEDS. However, certain projects have been identified and selected as vital projects. The purpose of this Vital Project list is to publically acknowledge the top submitted projects that will result in the most significant progress towards the Windham region’s economic development goals.
A project selection committee comprised of a small group individuals that represent the region and are firmly established in their field of expertise were chosen by SeVEDS to review, score and rank project submissions received. This committee was made up of Stratton Resort General Manager Sky Foulkes, Strolling of the Heifers Executive Director Orly Munzing, ROV Technologies CFO Jill Zachary, Landmark College’s Jennifer Lann and Sonnax Industries CEO Tommy Harmon. Documents outlining the full project ranking process and scoring criteria can be found at www.seveds.com.
2015 Vital Projects:
- Bellows Falls Area Development Corporation: NEW Island Redevelopment project will remediate approximately 5 acres of downtown brownfields sites into useable industrial space
- SeVEDS Workforce: Job Board for employers in Windham and Bennington Counties will help build the talent pipeline for Windham Region Employers UPDATED
- Ironwood Brand, PreCraft, STIX: Build a rapid prototyping facility at existing shop for prefab high performance building envelopes and resilient mechanical systems UPDATED
- BDCC: extend electric water and sewer to new industrial regional sites UPDATED
- BDCC: assess existing key elements of innovation ecosystem, determine missing elements, research models for missing elements and development of metrics for evaluating success UPDATED
- BDCC/SeVEDS: Southern Vermont Sustainable Recruitment Project for employers and tourism entities – connects to Job Board UPDATED
- Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON): The Board of Directors of the SEON is looking for funding to offset two years of operational expenses and non-employee compensation in support of the current and future activities of the organization. NEW
- Windham Child Care Association: Build a more sustainable childcare system through innovative shared practices to increase overall program quality and earnings, workforce development for childcare workers. UPDATED
- Strolling of the Heifers: Southeastern Vermont Food and Agricultural Innovation Center at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden, 157 Main Street, Brattleboro UPDATED
- Storm Petral, LLC: Storm Petral released two web based software applications in the Spring of 2014. Tempest-GEMS facilitates the financial recovery of governmental agencies and key non-profits after impact from a natural disaster. It manages federally funded reconstruction and recovery grants. NEW
- Rich Earth Institute: Creating a sustainable, regional, urine recycling system NEW
- Windham Regional Commission: Windham Region Village Water and Wastewater Need Assessment and Feasibility Plan UPDATED
- Marlboro College: Marlboro College proposes an entrepreneurial training initiative dedicated to improving the innovation ecosystem of Windham County. Offer support via scholarships for affected VY and supply chain employees interested in uptraining or retraining via our degree options and continuing education offerings. NEW
- Windham Windsor Housing Trust: The NeighborWorks HEAT Squad addresses the challenge of successfully engaging homeowners to complete home energy efficiency projects, which generates: 1) income for contractors resulting in jobs retained and created; 2) reduction in cost of living for homeowners in addition to comfort, health and retained and created; safety, and environmental benefits; and, 3) moves Windham County and the State of Vermont closer to the goal of improving the energy fitness of 25% of the state’s housing stock by 2020. NEW
- SeVEDS Workforce: SE Vermont Machine apprenticeship program UPDATE
- Mount Snow: The West Lake Project at Mount Snow consists of the construction of a 120?million?gallon snowmaking pond and associated components such as pump houses, withdrawal and intake structure, pipelines, snowmaking upgrades, a new lift and infrastructure improvements. NEW
- Mount Snow: The Carinthia Ski Lodge Project at Mount Snow consists of the construction of a three?story 36,000?square?foot ski lodge at the Carinthia Base Area of Mount Snow. NEW
- Mount Snow: The Carinthia Residential Units Project at Mount Snow consists of the construction of a up to 150 residential units at the Carinthia Base Area. NEW
- Vermont Distillers: Feasibility study to determine if adequate facilities exist for expansion of Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur manufacturing facility. UPDATE
- Windham Region Redevelopment Group: Define regional organization structure, conduct market study, conduct regional inventory of vacant commercial and industrial sites. UPDATE
- Wilmington Works: Legal creation of Wilmington Downtown Commercial Redevelopment Project whose purpose is to purchase 10 vacant buildings in downtown and renovate. UPDATE
- Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON): Integrated workforce development system for the sustainable building and design sector in Windham County. UPDATE
- New England Youth Theater: Downtown arts campus – environmental cleanup of two contaminated buildings, construction of a second theater, conference center and outdoor amphitheater, low income housing, gap year professional theater training UPDATE
- Sustainable Valley Group: Green Island Project UPDATE
- Putney Historical Society: Next Stage Arts Project renovation of 15 Kimball Hill. UPDATE
- Latchis Arts: In Repair and Restoration of Façade and Replacement of Windows NEW
- BDCC: Leveraging broadband demand for last mile investments – increase utilization, market high capacity UPDATE
- SeVEDS: Performs analysis on viability of green building products and services cluster development UPDATE
- Landmark College: Landmark College is in the process of formally creating an online learning division within the College, specifically aimed at meeting the needs of students with LD and educators/professionals struggling to best serve students with LD. NEW
- Gathering Place: The Deerfield Valley (DV) region of Windham County (WC) plans to create a Livable Community for All Ages. DV will adopt a phased approach, conducting a feasibility study to establish parameters and timelines, and the development of a foundational Adult Day program. NEW
- Stratton Mountain Resort: Upgrade the Inn at Stratton Mountain UPDATE
- SEVCA/WWIB/SeVEDS Workforce: Job Readiness Program UPDATE
- Stratton Mountain Resort: Upgrade 3 base lodges UPDATE
- Town of Wilmington: Wilmington Water District Merger /Acquisition and Expand Wilmington Wastewater District. UPDATE
- BDCC: Biz network Route 30/West River Valley. UPDATE
- Stratton Mountain Resort: Add additional cell tower. UPDATE
- Southern Vermont Natural History Museum: Feasibility study to determine on logistics and opportunities in SoVT to relocate to accommodate significant growth. UPDATE
- Stratton Mountain Resort: Add 66 units of employee housing. UPDATE
- Arts Council of Windham County and Primetime Concepts: Regional Marketing of the HeART & Culture of Southern Vermont, Official Artisan Center of Southern Vermont facility to promote tourism, Development of SoVT Artisan Trail. UPDATE
- Stratton Mountain Resort: Upgrade Snowbowl lift to high speed quad. UPDATE
- Town of Wilmington: Twin Valley High School Building Feasibility Project phase 2; implement findings of phase 1 feasibility study to repurpose 52,000 sf school building. UPDATE
- Readsboro Hometown Redevelopment, Inc.: Continued restoration of Bullock building as muti use community center in downtown Readsboro. UPDATE
- DJ Engineering: Electric Bike Manufacture. NEW
SeVEDS 2014 Regional Workforce Report
Executive Summary:
The purpose of this Executive Summary is:
- To provide an analysis of the job potential for the county in the next 5 years.
- Define the challenges the county faces in a technology based workforce environment
- Outline the job opportunities available now and in the next five years in Windham County.
Windham County is challenged by an aging workforce. US Census population estimates for Windham County for 2013 show that the majority of the workforce in the county is between 45 – 64 years old. At present this trend seems likely to continue. There is also evidence from employers that many of the core skills that are needed in the workforce are missing. These missing skills are not just with prospective hires but with present employees whom companies may want to move up in their organizations.
Population Estimates for Windham County, VT
2010 – 2013
PEPAGESEX-Geography-Windham County, Vermont: Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Selected Age Groups by Sex for the United States, States, Counties, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth and Municipios: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013 | |||||||||
Age | April 1, 2010 | Population Estimates (as of July 1) | |||||||
Census | Estimates Base | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | ||||
Both Sexes | Both Sexes | Both Sexes | Both Sexes | Both Sexes | Both Sexes | ||||
Total | 44,513 | 44,513 | 44,504 | 44,237 | 44,040 | 43,857 | |||
18 to 64 years | 28,508 | 28,508 | 28,485 | 28,241 | 27,826 | 27,494 | |||
18 to 24 years | 3,633 | 3,633 | 3,633 | 3,601 | 3,636 | 3,636 | |||
25 to 44 years | 9,819 | 9,819 | 9,798 | 9,680 | 9,550 | 9,380 | |||
45 to 64 years | 15,056 | 15,056 | 15,054 | 14,960 | 14,640 | 14,478 | |||
Median age (years) | 44.9 | 44.9 | 45.0 | 45.4 | 45.6 | 46.1 | |||
Suggested Citation:
Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Selected Age Groups by Sex for the United States, States, Counties, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth and Municipios: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division
Release Date: June 2014
The goal of the work is to understand the makeup of the current workforce, and to project what it is going to look like in the next five years. Will jobs grow or will there be a decline? Are the larger businesses (over 45 employees) of the county seeing a similar picture as the smaller ones? What are the issues that most concern employers in terms of the available work force?
The project began by approaching 67 of the largest businesses of the Windham Region asking them if they would be willing to participate in this project. To date 35 of those businesses have participated. These companies represented 7 different job sectors and 25.39% of the region’s workforce. Their information was collected, aggregated and analyzed. From our findings from this original group we took two further steps.
- In conjunction with the local chambers of commerce we sent out a modified electronic survey to small businesses (40 and under employees). 63% of the respondents in this group represented businesses with 10 or fewer employers. Contained in our survey to this group we asked about workforce size, expected growth and also what they saw as workforce challenges in terms of skill set issues.
- We went back to our original survey group and asked them four specific questions about core skills issues they were experiencing in hiring and maintaining a workforce.
What we learned, was that jobs exist and new jobs will become available in our area within the next five years. Based on the information provided by the participating businesses, they expect a minimum of 3,345 job openings. These will include new jobs (approximately 27% of the noted number) as well as replacement jobs due to staff turnover in existing positions. Supporting this growth we must do a better job of preparing area residents for these jobs. It is clear that employment preparedness issues are multi-faceted and complicated. To tackle Windham County’s complex employment landscape, it will require the work of current and future workers, schools, agencies and businesses (and some of this work must begin prior to high school.) We must also attract businesses and entrepreneurs to our area. In order to do this, we must improve the skills of our workforce. This in turn, will be the only way we make headway in helping our current employers grow, improving wages, and attracting jobs that pay more to the county.
Anyone wishing to settle in Windham County should be able to access educational opportunities and be financially able to live here. Additionally, Students, parents, schools, the business community, and the community at large all have a stake in guaranteeing that Windham County high school graduates are able to find meaningful work in the area while also providing a livable wage. Together we can grow Windham County making it a desirable place work and live. We are taking the steps to make this a reality.
The full workforce report and supporting documents can be found on line at: www.seveds.com/2014wfreport In addition, the report outlining challenges, objectives and goals for workforce development in Windham County can be found in the 2014 Windham County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies Report (CEDS) at:
http://seveds.com/ceds-report/
Southeastern Vermont economic development action plan accepted by US Economic Development Administration
For Immediate Release: July 29th, 2014
for more info contact Laura Sibilia, Director of Economic Development BDCC at lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.com
Southeastern Vermont economic development action plan accepted by US Economic Development Administration
Meeting for CEDS project submitters and projects seeking VY funding August 14th
WINDHAM COUNTY, VT – On Friday July 25th, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) was notified that the region’s 2014-2019 S.M.A.R.T. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy has been accepted by the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA).
BDCC, on behalf of its affiliate the Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) and the Windham Region CEDS committee, received a planning grant in 2012 to develop the first ever regionally focused 27 town economic development strategy. The region’s request to EDA to be allowed to develop the CEDS cited a twenty year economic decline, the immense economic wounds from flooding in 2011 and the impending (but at the time announced) closure of the Vermont Yankee power plant.
Working with CEDS consultants from ViTAL Economy, SeVEDS embarked on a yearlong public input and data driven research initiative, culminating in an action plan for supporting growth in the region’s economy and mitigating the impacts of the VY closure. The final assembly of the region plan included 52 projects from the public and private sector and regional non-profits which were submitted for inclusion in the CEDS. These projects were ranked according to likelihood to help achieve the region’s goals and strategies for growing the economy, by an independent panel of private sector, education and nonprofit CEOs. The project list is updated every year to reflect in progress, completed and new project.
One of the oft cited reasons by SeVEDS for undertaking CEDS development is that the regions projects are able to score higher on applications for federal funding due to the presence of the CEDS. In the letter informing the region of the CEDS acceptance, the EDA Philadelphia Region office highlighted that rationale.
“The priorities and focuses outlined within your CEDS document will help form the foundation of how EDA reviews applications for Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs from your region. We greatly appreciate the work of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation Board and CEDS Committee to develop this innovative, regionally-driven economic development strategy. EDA looks forward to continuing to work with you to help support the goals and priorities outlined in your recently submitted CEDS.”
SeVEDS has recently extended its contract with ViTAL Economy to develop implementation and funding schedules for the CEDS and has announced an open submissions period through September 30th for updating and submitting new projects for inclusion in the CEDS http://seveds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CEDS-projects-announcement-20144.docx
A regional public discussion and question and answer session regarding the process of implementing a regional CEDS as well as development and funding of CEDS projects has been scheduled for Thursday August 14th from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the River Garden in downtown Brattleboro.
BDCC and SeVEDS representatives as well as Frank Knott from Vital Economy will be facilitating the discussion. This will be an informative meeting for those entities who will be updating existing or submitting new CEDS projects as well as those considering applying for VY economic development funding which requires projects address one of the goals or objectives the region established for the CEDS. Please RSVP to ensure adequate space http://www.eventbrite.com/rss/user_list_events/45872168065
View the 2014 – 2019 Windham Region S.M.A.R.T. CEDS at http://seveds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/FINALCEDSReport.2013.pdf
More information on the CEDS project selection process can be found at http://seveds.com/ceds-projects/
SeVEDS asks for representation in VY fund distribution process, begins 5 year implementation and finance planning for CEDS
For Immediate Release: June 20, 2014
More Information – Jenna Pugliese, SeVEDS Board Chair jpugliese@intrawest.com or Laura Sibilia, Director of Economic Development BDCC 1-802-257-7731 ext 217
SeVEDS asks for representation in VY fund distribution process, begins 5
year implementation and finance planning for CEDS
WINDHAM REGION – On Thursday, the Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies Board passed a resolution asking the State of Vermont to recognize the process created by the Windham County Regional CEDS document for implementation of Vermont Yankee Economic Development funds, and asking for representation in determining the use of these funds before a Notice of Funding Availability is released.
The SeVEDS board also authorized the next stage of implementing the regions S.M.A.R.T. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The board approved extending its contract with ViTAL Economy, Inc. to develop the integrated multi-year rollout and budget plan for the S.M.A.R.T. CEDS and the VY Recovery action plans described in the plan. Implementation strategies will be developed using
SeVEDS Chairwoman Jenna Pugliese said her board is eager to work with ViTAL Economy on this next step in the region’s economic recovery.
“The road ahead of us is long and the investment needed will be in the hundreds of millions, so we need to keep systematically moving forward on implementing this plan with our regional, state and federal partners. ViTAL Economy is the national leader in CEDS development and we are pleased to be working with them on this next phase.”
Regarding the request to participate in the determination of how VY funds are distributed, Pugliese said, “The board took this action on behalf of the hundreds of people in the region who have volunteered time, raised funds and solicited or provided input to carefully craft a regional plan that responds to the economic situation in the Windham Region; on behalf of the region’s businesses and education institutions that have been making plans based on those carefully developed strategies and on behalf of the regions municipalities and voters who have voted to support development and execution of this plan.
“Despite the good efforts of the state agencies to develop a plan to put these funds to best use, we are hearing confusion and concern from the region’s businesses, residents and towns,” explained Pugliese. “They are asking us, ‘Didn’t we already create the plan?’ There is a growing sense that the well-intended efforts of the agency are actually unintentionally undermining the region’s years of work to grow the regional economy and deal with the significant economic impacts of the VY shutdown.”
Pugliese acknowledged the work of the state to ensure a transparent process that included creative thoughts on how to best spend the limited resources, but says this short window duplication of a process already undergone in the region is not likely to be as comprehensive in community input.
“The community engagement process we used to develop the regional CEDS was so inclusive that the federal agency regulating development these types of plans is using it as a best practices model for community inclusion and engagement at the national level.”
The Windham Region CEDs can be found out at: www.SeVEDS.com
The board resolution can be found at: http://seveds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/resolution062014.pdf
May 2014 Minutes
Windham Region CEDS Project and Review Schedule
For more information contact: Laura Sibilia, Director of Economic Development BDCC, 257-7731 ext 217 or at lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.com
For Immediate Release:
Windham Region CEDS Project and Review Schedule
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) Windham Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) Committee have released an annual schedule for existing and new projects that wish to be ranked according to the SeVEDS goals and included in the Windham Regions 2015 S.M.A.R.T CEDS.
A CEDS is a federally recognized regional plan designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy. A CEDS must be the result of an ongoing economic development planning process, developed with broad-based and diverse public and private sector participation, and must include a section listing all suggested projects. A CEDS also contains a section identifying and prioritizing vital projects, programs and activities that address the region’s greatest needs or that will best enhance the region’s competitiveness. Progress on the goals and projects will be updated annually.
The Windham Region 2014 S.M.A.R.T CEDS was completed on December 6th and finalized for submission to EDA in March 2014. The CEDS metrics and projects will be updated annually, and the entire process will be repeated every 5 years.
The following is the annual schedule for updating 2014 CEDS projects, as well as for new project submissions for the 2015 S.M.A.R.T CEDS. All projects included in the 2014 S.M.A.R.T CEDS must provide an update to be included in the 2015 S.M.A.R.T CEDS
1st Quarter January-March
- Conduct an After Action Review with CEDS Project Committee
- Confirm Project Committee
- Publicize New Projects and Updates
2nd Quarter April – June
- Announce new projects schedule
3rd Quarter July – Sept
- Open for new project submissions July 1
- Last day for existing project updates or new project submissions September 30
4th Quarter Oct – Dec
- Project Committee meets to review and rank updated and new project submissions
- SeVEDS CEDS Committee adopts Project Committee recommendations by December 31
About SeVEDS – SeVEDS is a grassroots organization that formed in 2008 and exists to reverse the economic decline of the Windham Region. SeVEDS is affiliated with the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation. SeVEDS is a regional organization that has partnered with the 27 town Windham Region’s private sector, non-profits and public sector to complete the first ever S.M.A.R.T. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Southeastern Vermont in December of 2013. For more information on SeVEDS, visit www.seveds.com.
S.M.A.R.T. CEDS Copyright © 2014 ViTAL Economy, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Our Opinion: A good understanding – Brattleboro Reformer oped March 5, 2014
Our Opinion: A good understanding
When Community College of Vermont and Vermont Technical College committed to moving to the Brooks House we were excited about the prospects that a downtown campus could provide for Brattleboro’s future.
Our editorial board wrote about how the youthful energy intrinsic to a college campus would enhance the social and cultural scene in Brattleboro, not to mention the added sales for local businesses the students patronize. But more importantly, it would help establish the town as an educational hub for southern Vermont. This week’s announcement that six area colleges signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Windham Higher Education Cooperative is another positive step in that direction. The cooperative will allow the colleges to share resources, provide more opportunities for their students, strengthen economic development in the region and create a more mutuallybeneficial relationship between the colleges and the community.
Under terms of the understanding students from CCV, Landmark College, Marlboro College, School for International Training, Union Institute and Vermont Technical College will be able to take up to one course at one of the other participating institutions each semester, beginning next fall. Not only would this enhance the educational offerings for students, but as Marlboro College President Ellen McCulloch-Lovell noted, it also could help control costs at the colleges.
“We can build on each other and not duplicate each other’s efforts toward a more robust programming,” she said. “We’re all very cost conscious and we are trying to find ways to combine resources and not duplicate resources.”
Or, as CCV President Joyce Judy put it, “You can think of six colleges competing or you can think of us holistically being better able to serve this part of the region. We’ve chosen to do it collaboratively.”
Speaking of collaboration, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation is doing its part by helping to strengthen the connection between the colleges and the business community. Thanks to a $60,000 grant from the Vermont Department of Labor, the organization recently hired a new internship coordinator who will work with the colleges, and with area employers, to find paid internships for the students enrolled in the six area colleges.
“This is so important in terms of putting our students in the work place, and educating the employers about the tremendous asset we have in this county in terms of smart, capable learners and workers,” said Landmark College President Peter Eden.
Having this connection with the local business community will also open doors for the students and entice them to remain in the area after graduation, thus stemming the loss of a young, highly-educated work force. That, in turn, could encourage more businesses to move to the Windham County area with good, high-paying jobs.
We see no downside here.