March 21, 2013

3-4 PM Brattleboro selectboard room

In attendance: Patrick Moreland, Barb Sondag, Bill Colvin, Martin Langeveld, Adam Grinold, Laura Sibilia, Stephan Morse, Jeff Lewis, Pat Moulton Powden, Gail Nunziata, Rachel Selsky, Jenna Pugliese, Susan McMahon, Drew Richards, Bob Stevens, Jill James, Chris Moore, David Altstadt, Jesse Woosley, Tap Barnhill, Bill Anton, Seth Proctor, Wendy Woods, Julia Sorensen, Andrew Robinson, Colby Dix

Jenna called the meeting to order at 3:00 pm

The committee was to have done the CEDS Readiness Assessment at today’s meeting.  Due to weather, ViTAL Economy is not in town and all CEDS meetings were rescheduled.

The Committee reviewed the revised schedule for the CEDS Regional Meetings and discussed methods of soliciting good attendance.

Regional Profile Summary and Key Implications for the Future
Exploration & Discussion of Issues of Challenge and Opportunity
What Does Quality of Place Mean in the Context of a Healthy SeVEDS Economy?

Tuesday April 23rd 8:30-11:30 am  - Bellows Falls Lower Theater
Wednesday April 24th 8:30-11:30 am  - Wilmington Town Hall Meeting Room
Wednesday April 24th 6-8:30 pm  - Londonderry Town Offices
Thursday April 25th  6-8:30 pm  - Brattleboro World Learning Cafeteria

Session 2
Follow up to session 1 –“Did we capture your input correctly?”

Tuesday June 25th 8:30-11:30 am – Bellows Falls Lower Theater
Wednesday June 26th 8:30-11:30 am – Wilmington Town Hall Meeting Room
Wednesday June 26th 6-8:30 pm – Londonderry Town Offices
Thursday June 27th 6-8:30 pm – Brattleboro Retreat Education Conference Room

2-4:30 pm

In attendance: Patrick Moreland, Barb Sondag, Bill Colvin, Martin Langeveld, Adam Grinold, Laura Sibilia, Stephan Morse, Jeff Lewis, Pat Moulton-Powden, Gail Nunziata, Rachel Selsky, Jenna Pugliese, Susan McMahon, Drew Richards, Bob Stevens, Jill James, Chris Moore, David Alstadt, Jesse Woosley, Tap Barnhill, Bill Anton, Gretchen Havreluk, Frank Knott, Mark Madsen via phone

Frank Knott walked committee through CEDS readiness assessment to gauge regions readiness and capacity to create and implement CEDS.

Results of the CEDS readiness assessment can be found at SeVEDS .com

SeVEDS CED Best Practice Assessment Tool 04252013 annotated

In attendance: Jill James, Adam Grinold, Drew Richards, Patrick Moreland, Dave Altstadt, Colby Dix, Julia Sorensen, Susan McMahon, Pat Moulton Powden, Laura Sibilia, Jenna Pugliese, Barb Sondag, Martin Langeveld, Wendy Woods, Anthony Summers

Absent: Jeff Lewis, Lisa Sullivan, Dan Yates, Bill Colvin, Tim Cullenen

Jenna called the meeting to order at 2:04

BDCC’s two new Flood Recovery Officers, Anthony Summers and Wendy Woods were introduced.

Colby made a motion to approve Financials, seconded by David Vote: unanimous

Town Meeting recap – Laura reported that funding for SeVEDS articles were approved in the following amounts by the following towns:

Town of Rockingham – 15,000
Town of Wilmington – 5,628
Town of Dover – 3,372
Town of Vernon – 6,600
Town of Marlboro – 3,238
Town of Newfane – 5,178

Total approved was 39,016 – added to Town of Rockingham (15K) and Town of Wilmington (2,814) previous contributions total municipal contributions are 56,830.  This means we met the Brattleboro Selectboard challenge and can seek the remaining 25K in funding.

Laura gave a brief Update on CDBG-DR/EDA – Flood projects

Proposed process and timeline for FY 14 work plan and budget – Executive Committee to discuss in May, full board to discuss in June, FY 13 budget to be adopted in July

Board membership and nomination timelines – Executive Committee to name nominating committee (itself), work with staff on identifying seats that will be opening up – new and renewed board members to be presented with recommended slate of officers at July meeting.

Workforce and job fair – Pat updated the board on the work she has been doing with the SeVEDS workforce committee.  That committee is working on a FY 13 workplan.  Sonnax has proposed a regional hiring projection for next 5 years, modeled after the projection they are doing for Sonnax.  David reviewed the upcoming career fair being developed by the WWIB.  Jenna suggested the fair should be moved around the region and Jill suggested the career fair should involve students.

The board’s next meeting will be Thursday April 25^th 2-4:30 as the CEDS Committee to do CEDS readiness assessment

In attendance: David Altstadt, Tim Cullenen, Drew Richards, Bill Colvin, Jenna Pugliese, Jill James, Martin Langeveld, Colby Dix, Patrick Moreland, Bob Stevens, Jeff Lewis, Jesse Woosley, Lisa Sullivan, Julia Sorensen
Bill Colvin made a motion to approve the minutes from January 22^nd, seconded by David Vote: unanimous

Bob Stevens made a motion to approve financials, seconded by Colby Vote: unanimous

Review Board makeup – Lisa informed the board that she would be going on maternity leave, the executive committee has recommended Jenna step in as interim chair.

Jeff made a motion to approve the executive committee recommendation to Elect Adam Grinold to Board to fill seat vacated by Scott Murphy; seconded by Jenna Vote Unanimous

Discussion on Draft Purchasing Policy – Bob moved to approve the board authorize expenses over 10K seconded by Colby Vote: unanimous

The board reviewed official CEDS Committee membership via SeVEDS Board action (17 public, 7 non-profit, 5 public total of 59% private)

• SeVEDS Board PLUS
• Connie Snow – Windham Windsor Housing
• Andy Robinson – Department of Labor
• Rachel Selsky – Camoin Associates
• Stephanie Huestis – Peoples Bank
• Dutch Walsh – Town of Rockingham
• Gail Nunziato – Latchis
• Chris Moore – Lawyer
• Bill Anton – Dover School Principal
• Oliver Olsen – Oracle
• Roger Albee – former Secretary of Agriculture

Frank Knott advises being cognizant of sectors, sector needs to be at the table if it is going to be in the CEDS.

Set Bi-Weekly SeVEDS Staff / VE Conference Call Schedule and members

• With staff for project after monthly meetings for wrap up and future planning
• With CEDS content committee two weeks in advance of meeting – Julia would like to be added to this call

Workforce update – Jeff informed the board that on Tuesday BDCC would announce the hire of Pat Moulton Powden as Director of Workforce Development.  This is essentially a shared position between SeVEDS initiatives and BDCC initiatives.  Pat will take over as Executive Director after Jeff retirement at the end of the year.    The workforce committee continues to attract more employers and they are currently discussing a career fair.

Communications task force – Julia updated the board on a number of developments, including a new logo – developed by Woodward Creative.  We have also hired a Videographer for the Feb 15^th kick off meeting with VE.  A flyer with detail of the March and May regional sessions was distributed.

Update on EDA Flood marketing project – looking forward to receiving agency proposals.

Meeting adjourned at 3 PM

In attendance: Barb Sondag, Jeff Lewis, Martin Langeveld, Patrick Moreland, Susan McMahon, David Alstadt, Laura Sibilia

via phone: Bill Colvin, Jill James, Julia Sorensen, Jenna Pugliese, Tim Cullenen, Jesse Woolsey board fellow
absent: Lisa Sullivan, Dan Yates, Stephan Morse, Bob Stevens, Colby Dix

Jenna called the meeting to order at 4:00

Patrick made a motion to approve minutes from January 17^th seconded by Susan Vote unanimous

1. Confirm official CEDS Committee membership via SeVEDS Board action.  This will be confirmed on February 14^th at 2 PM SeVEDS Board meeting

• Discussion of CEDS committee recommendations, individuals will follow up
  • Connie Snow – Windham Windsor Housing
  • Andy Robinson – Department of Labor
  • Adam Grinold – Mount Snow Valley Chamber
  • Dutch Walsh – Town of Rockingham
  • Sean Conley – Marlboro College – Jeff to follow up
  • Gail Nunziato – Latchis – Jeff to follow up
  • Chris Moore – Lawyer in BF – Jill to follow up
  • Andrea Seaton – Grace Cottage – Julia to Follow up
  • Jeff  Morse – Cersosimo – Julia to follow up
  • Bill Anton – Dover School Principal – Laura to follow up
  • Oliver Olsen – Oracle – Jeff to follow up
  • Roger Albee – former Secretary of Agriculture – Jeff to follow up

1. Set Bi-Weekly SeVEDS Staff / VE Conference Call Schedule

• Laura will arrange – who else should be on

1. Need to grow members and activate Communications task force – Julia will set up a meeting and email inquiries to marketing group to join.  Laura will reach out to SeVEDS YP group online
2. Event Planning Group – there was a discussion and decision that the meetings in May would take place at the same locales as the meetings in March

• Locations:
  • Brattleboro – Barb, Thursday March 21 evening and Thursday May 22 evening
  • BF/Rock – Tim, Monday choice
  • Wilm/Dover –Adam
  • Londonderry/Jamaica -Pat
• Feb 15^th
  • At Feb 15^th we need places and times for 4 March meetings
  • At Feb 15^th do we need places and times for 4 May meetings

1. 5.       CEDS content management task force

• There was general discussion about the role of this committee.  Patrick and Susan both expressed interest in serving on committee.  Patrick will follow up with Frank on details

In attendance: Jill James, Bill Colvin, Scott Murphy, Martin Langeveld, Colby Dix, Drew Richards, Jenna Pugliese, Julia Sorensen, Seth Proctor, Lisa Sullivan, Patrick Moreland, Tim Cullenen, Barb Sondag, Dave Alstadt, Jeff Lewis, Laura Sibilia

Absent: Dan Yates, Stephan Morse

Lisa called the meeting to order at 10:35

Julia made a motion to approve the minutes from 12/18, 2^nd by David VOTE: unanimous

Colby made a motion to approve Financials, 2^nd by Martin VOTE: unanimous

Lisa presented recommendations for changes to the bylaws from the executive committee.  The recommendations outline the process by which a nominating committee is formed to make recommendations to the full board on SeVEDS board membership each year.  David asked if the nominating committee’s charge also included whether or not to reappoint board members whose terms were up and was told it did.  Martin asked that the changes to the bylaw use the phrase “executive committee” to be consistent with the rest of the bylaws.

Barb made a motion to approve the bylaw changes as recommended by the executive committee 2^nd by David VOTE: unanimous

Jeff made a motion to elect  Jill James from Bellows Falls and Chroma Technology to fill remaining term of seat vacated by Gregg Noble whose term runs through August 2015 2^nd by Tim VOTE: unanimous

The board was asked to review the Petition and Town Meeting plan to ensure they could attend the town meeting they were signed up at.  Laura said that Guilford petition and town meeting presence were going to be tough.  Barb said she would talk to Guilford and see if they thought it would be appropriate for her to attend town meeting.

Next Meetings – the board briefly spoke with Frank Knott from ViTAL Economy regarding set up for the February 15^th public kick off for the CEDS.  A decision was made to hold the event at the Retreat from 8:30-11:30.

Inquiries may be directed to:

Laura Sibilia at 802-384-0233 or by email at lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.org
Susan McMahon at 802-257-4547 or by email at susan@windhamregional.org
William Colvin at 802-442-0713 x. 1 or by email at bcolvin@bcrcvt.org

FOR RELEASE:
Friday February 22, 2013

Southern Vermont flood recovery officers hired
Summers and Woods will lead revitalization efforts in Windham and Bennington Counties

The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation has announced the hire of Anthony Summers and Wendy Rea Woods to Southern Vermont’s two federally funded flood recovery officer positions.  The flood recovery officers will work collaboratively to expand the capacity of public officials and economic development organizations to work effectively with businesses and encourage the development of innovative public/private approaches.  High level goals include economic restructuring strategies, village and downtown revitalization and business resiliency in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene.

Summers, of Spokane, WA, recently graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Master of Urban Planning and a Master of Public Administration. While in graduate school, Anthony held an outreach position with Eastern Washington University’s Business Resource Center where he worked with small business owners to develop environmentally responsible business practices. It is Anthony’s interest in working directly with business owners and community members to improve economic conditions in Southern Vermont that drew him to the Flood Recovery Officer position. Anthony looks forward to applying his abilities to assist with identifying immediate and long-term solutions for strengthening the region’s economy.

Woods, of Dorset, VT, has had a career focused in the non-profit sector where she has developed her programming and community outreach skills working with and advocating for women and families.  She was a featured speaker both in national and local media markets on the topics of non-violence, issues pertaining to diversity and women’s rights in the Middle East.   She has coordinated community-wide projects with YWCAs and United Ways in Connecticut and Vermont and identified human and financial resources to achieve social stability and positive economic impact. Her most recent project has been forming a citizens’ committee that serves as liaison between the public, state agencies and a contracted consultant to study the feasibility of passenger rail restoration to Southwestern Vermont.

The positions and project are possible due to an award of $472,000 in disaster recovery funds by the US Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to the Windham Regional Commission (WRC) and the Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC). This EDA investment supports disaster recovery capacity building for the Southern Vermont region and is funded through the FY 2012 Disaster Relief Opportunity administered through the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Each disaster recovery investment is intended to support a community’s long-term recovery, spur job creation, leverage private investment, and promote disaster resiliency.

Summers and Woods will work collaboratively on the two county project with Summers based at BDCC’s Brattleboro office and Woods based out of the Wilmington Town Offices.  Start dates are the first and second week in March.  They can be best reached via email after their start date at asummers@brattleborodevelopment.com and wwoods@brattleborodevelopment.com.

More information on the project can be obtained at http://windhamregional.org/ or http://www.bcrcvt.com/

About WRC:

In the absence of county government, the Windham Region Commission provides the essential link between local, state and federal government.  A public entity, constituted by law and required to meet statutory obligations, the Windham Region Commission is an important resource to the 27 towns of the Windham Region in Windham, Windsor, and Bennington counties.  Its mission is to assist towns in Southeastern Vermont to provide effective local government and work cooperatively with them to address regional issues.  Towns choose to be members of the WRC.

About BCRC:

The Bennington County Regional Commission was created by the seventeen towns and villages it serves and works with and on behalf of those municipalities to build strong, resilient and sustainable communities, to foster economic prosperity and to promote a high quality of life for residents of the region.

About BDCC:

The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont. The primary objective of the BDCC is to create and retain a flourishing business community in the Windham Region that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents. BDCC is affiliated with the State of Vermont as the certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) serving the greater Windham County area.  BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont.  In this capacity, BDCC serves the twenty-seven towns of Athens, Brattleboro, Brookline, Dover, Dummerston, Grafton, Guilford, Halifax, Jamaica, Londonderry, Marlboro, Newfane, Putney, Readsboro, Rockingham, Searsburg, Somerset, Stratton, Townshend, Vernon, Wardsboro, Westminster, Weston, Whitingham, Wilmington, Windham and Winhall.

In attendance: Lisa Sullivan, Julia Sorensen, Bill Colvin, Tim Cullenen, Jenna Pugliese, Martin Langeveld, Bo Stevens, Drew Richards, David Alstadt, Susan McMahon, Jeff Lewis, Barb Sondag, Dan Yates, Colby Dix, Jill James

Absent: Scott Murphy, Stephan Morse

Lisa called the meeting to order at 2:01 and introduced Jill James from Chroma who was invited to considered board membership.

From 2-3 pm the SeVEDS Board met with Speaker of the House Shap Smith to discuss the benefits and challenges of regional economic development strategy development.

Dan motioned to accept the Minutes from 11/15, seconded by Dave Vote: unanimous

Jenna made a motion to approve the financials ending November 30, 2012, seconded by Bill Vote: unanimous

Workforce Committee:  Jeff announced the hire of Pat Moulton Powden at BDCC.  She will start in February as the Director of Workforce Development and will assume the position of Executive director at BDCC when Jeff retires at the end of FY 13.

There was a brief discussion about SeVEDS partnership with the state colleges on several leadership seminars that are ongoing.  Employer participation has been good.

BDCC Update – Jeff provided a written update from BDCC to the SeVEDS Board

EDA/CDBG-DR – updates – Both the EDA Disaster grant and the CDBG-DR grant recently came in.  Laura provided the board with an outline of the three grants SeVEDS and BDCC are involved with.

ViTAL Economy will be with the SeVEDS board on January 17^th for a 6 hour meeting.  Laura is to ask Pat to attend as well as colleges, Chris Campany, workforce, and other possible sector gaps.

Municipal Fundraising – updates from Jenna, Stephan, Laura – total of 15 visits.  We need town meeting representation at Guilford,  Dummerston and Halifax

Get on Board Update- Seth Proctor, Jesse Woosley are our two board fellows and will be officially joining us in February.  They will be invited to attend the January meeting.

Bill made a motion to approve up to $500 for interpreter expenses for the Get on Board Program, seconded by Julia  Vote: Unanimous

Board and Bylaws recommendation group – Lisa told the board that the executive committee would be coming back with some recommendations on changing the bylaws.

Petition and TM plan – Board members signed up to represent the SeVEDS effort at various town meetings, Laura will bring list to next board meeting.

In attendance: Julia Sorenson, Jeff Lewis, Susan McMahon, Patrick Moreland, Tim Cullenen, Dan Yates, Lisa Sullivan, Jenna Pugliese (2:21), Bob Stevens, Laura Sibilia

Absent: David Alstadt, Colby Dix, Bill Colvin, Martin Langeveld, Barb Sondag, Scott Murphy, Drew Richards, Stephan Morse

Lisa called the meeting to order at 2:21

Susan moved to approve the minutes from 10/18, seconded by Jenna.  Vote Unanimous

Dan moved to accept the financials as presented, seconded by Bob.  Vote Unanimous

Board meeting time polling discussion – Lisa “this is going to be impossible” – Patrick in absence of something that works for everyone, keep the meeting time.  Jeff, might be time to think about examining by-laws as part of one year reflection.  December agenda item

BDCC Update – Jeff updated the board on meetings between SeVEDS exec committee members and the BDCC board.  Interesting conversations.  Both boards will keep each other posted monthly.

Workforce hire.  Jeff is asking for an extension on hire date to January 30, feels he is getting close.  Bob made a motion to extend the SeVEDS WF Hire Date to January 30 seconded by Dan.  Vote Unanimous

CEDS: discussion on ViTAL Economy public engagement periods

Municipal Fundraising – Board members reported the process was going well.  Bellows Falls and Wilmington have invested in SeVEDS for FY 13.  A number of towns will need petitions.  Laura will bring a plan to December meeting

SeVEDS participation with Marlboro College Get on Board Training program:  YP/Marlboro College “Get on Board” event:  Metropolis  November 30^th 5:30-7:30

Jenna made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:56

Monday December 24, 2012

I greeted a Brattleboro acquaintance with the standard haven’t-seen-you-in-awhile question: “How are you doing?” I received a most unexpected response: “Great!”

I couldn’t help but notice her reaction. Nobody ever says, “Great!” so enthusiastically.

Turns out, after months of looking for work — and coming close to losing her house — she’d finally found a job.

“It’s so important to have meaningful work,” I said.

She shook her head: “Oh, this isn’t meaningful work. It’s not in my field. It’s not a dream job. In fact, I can’t believe I’m doing it. But it’s work. Period. And I can keep my home.”

There’s no getting around it. We have a genuine jobs problem here in Southeastern Vermont.

By just about every economic measure, the Windham Region is in decline. A presentation by the Southeastern Vermont Economic Strategies Group (SeVEDS) to the Windham Regional Commission last February laid out the bleak picture. This team — an affiliate of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation and made up of individuals from both the public and private sector in Windham County — initially formed to improve broadband and cell service in our area, but soon realized that our problems are much more complex than just bad communications services.

We lag behind New Hampshire, Massachusetts, the U.S. — and Vermont as a whole — in average wages, and ourmedian age is significantly higher. This decline in young workers will most likely lead to the further disappearance of jobs. As companies can’t find well-trained, entry-level workers, they will fill these positions with commuters from outside our area or will leave all together. We’ve also fallen behind in technical skills. At a recent workforce readiness workshop offered by SeVEDS, in conjunction with Vermont Technical College and Community College of Vermont, regional employers sent the message loud and clear: We have to prepare our young workforce better. In addition to providing them with specific technical skills required for jobs in our area, we must more effectively connect these workers with potential jobs.

The percentage of wage-earning residents in our county has also declined. We have a much smaller percentage of these workers here in Windham County, when compared to the rest of the state, and more residents who receive government subsidies or live off investments. So, we have growing sectors at the low and high ends of the economic spectrum, and no growth in between. Our residents tend to be more highly educated when compared to the rest of the region, but this has not translated into higher wages. College graduates earn substantially more in both Cheshire County, New Hampshire, and in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. This is partly because the percentage of residents employed by the private sector has decreased in our area while those employed by the public sector has increased. This seems to imply a lack of economic risk-taking needed to develop an energetic and innovative regional economy.

Risk aversion is completely incongruous with our reputation as an arts incubator. Our cultural offerings are simply marvelous: A thriving circus school, a dynamic youth theater, the Vermont Jazz Center. And on and on. There is so much creative energy here that it feels like the area can barely contain the resulting vibrations. But we can’t sustain all these dynamic organizations if we don’t improve our regional economy.

Growing jobs and business will not hurt our reputation as a funky and imaginative community. And it’s wrong to think that the problem is intractable. I had a good friend tell me recently, “You’re becoming a true Vermonter — you’re dabbling in all sorts of projects.” I felt a certain pride at her observation, but also a deep longing for my region. We shouldn’t simply resign ourselves to cobbling together bits of income, but instead be actively working to bring good-paying jobs to the area.

Thankfully, there’s been a lot of good news coming from SeVEDS lately. Its Workforce Development Committee has recently partnered with the Vermont State Colleges to offer leadership and training events to support regional employers. And this group will soon be steered by a most capable hand: Patricia Moulton Powden. Powden — currently Vermont’s Deputy Secretary for the Agency of Commerce and Community Development — will bring her incomparable and much-needed experience and expertise to our region’s economic development efforts.

This excellent news is set against the backdrop of SeVEDS’ contract with ViTAL Economy Alliance to develop a Windham Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the 23 towns of Windham County plus Winhall, Weston, Searsburg and Readsboro. There will be public forums in March and May connected with the creation of this CEDS document. Watch for these announcements, and then attend the discussions for two reasons: First, we must all understand and accept the reality of our bleak economic landscape before we can get moving. Secondly, exciting ideas always bubble up when Vermonters put their heads together to solve a wicked problem.

I recently joined the SeVEDS Workforce Development Committee; I’m deeply concerned about the long-term health of our regional economy. I want my children to have the option to stay and work in the area when they’re older, although they will almost certainly make other plans — despite my best intentions and machinations. In the past year, as I’ve watched several friends and acquaintances slip from the middle class, I’ve realized that we must be a both a vibrant arts community and a dynamic economic hub.

We all have a stake in this. Let’s not settle for an economy that barely keeps us afloat. Let’s create one that reflects the tide of creativity and innovation that surges here.

Rebecca Balint writes about history, education and culture. She welcomes your comments at bbalint37@gmail.com. Read her blog at www.reformer802.com/speakerscorner.