SEVEDS Board Meeting Minutes

March 16, 2017, 2:00 – 3:45 pm at CCV

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Attendees: Adam Grinold, Bob Stevens, Bill Colvin, Kristin Mehalick, Laura Sibilia (via phone), Konstantin von Krusenstiern, Drew Richards, Jen Stromsten, Luke Stafford, Mary Ann Kristiansen, Patrick Moreland, Josh Druke, Bethaney LaClair (via phone) and Susan McMahon

Welcome & Gathering – Bob Stevens

Action Items

• Review and Approve February 16, 2017 Board Meeting Minutes
  • Motion: Susan McMahon
  • Second: Konstantin von Krusenstiern
  • Approved by all

Updates

• Town Meeting Day Review– Kristin Mehalick
  • Contributing towns include Rockingham, Guilford, Newfane, Putney, Marlboro, Dover and Wilmington.
  • Towns who voted “no” to funding request: Vernon and Westminster
  • Brattleboro Town meeting day will be held on Saturday, March 25^th
• Fundraising & Formation of Fundraising Committee – Jen Stromsten
  • Jen provided a review of the SeVEDS fundraising
  • There is a need for a reliable line item in the budget and a need for private funding
  • There has been a small fundraising committee who will be taking a deeper dive into this topic
  • Members include Drew Richards, Meg Streeter and Konstantin von Krusenstiern
  • Board volunteers, request BDCC work to round out with other members
• Southern Vermont Economic Summit – Bill Colvin
  • Bill reminded the board of the Southern Vermont Economy Summit which will take place on Wednesday, May 24^th at Stratton Mountain
  • The summit is meant to bring attention and interest to the innovative responses and long-term opportunities for economic development in the state’s southern region
  • The morning will provide context and insight into issues affecting New England at large and Southern Vermont in particular
  • The afternoon will explore current best practices and emerging economic development approaches in Southern Vermont
  • The evening will celebrate the achievements of young professionals through the region
  • Young Professional Nominations
• Southern Vermont Economy Project /Staffing update – Adam Grinold
  • Adam introduced Sarah Lang, the new Southern Vermont Economy Project Manager to the board

Substantive Discussions

• Southern Vermont CEDS – Laura Sibilia/Jen Stromsten
  • Jen and Laura provided a review of questions posed at last board meeting
  • Action Item: Voting to ask staff from Windham and Bennington to develop a joint project proposal for the board to approve at April’s meeting.
  • Motion: Konstantin von Krusenstiern
  • Second: Susan McMahon
  • Approved by all

 Other Business / Announcements

• Next SeVEDS Board Meeting, April 20^th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at BDCC (Discussion on date re: school vacations)
  • April’s SeVEDS Board meeting will be moved to April 27^th
• Next agenda: CEDS action, SeVEDS FY 2018 work plan priorities

CEDS and FY ‘17 Board Priority Area Updates

• CEDS Projects
• On Monday, February 27th SeVEDS announced its annual CEDS projects ranking for projects submitted for inclusion in the 2016 CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies). A total of 46 projects were submitted to be included in the CEDS; 14 of which have been ranked the most vital. A press event held at the Wilmington Old School in Wilmington, Vermont announced those Vital Projects. Vital Projects are the top ranked projects in terms of alignment and potential to advance the goals and objectives of the CEDS. The Southern Vermont Sustainable Marking Plan was ranked the number one most Vital Project. Other Vital Projects include the Wilmington Old School, Ecovation Hub – Green Building Cluster, and Re-Energizing Vernon.
• 2016 CEDS Vital Projects and Complete project list can be found at:

http://brattleborodevelopment.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016CEDSProjectPressRelease.pdf

• Press on event:

http://www.reformer.com/stories/community-center-vital-for-the-region,499942

 

• Entrepreneurial Programs:
  • INSTIG8 – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Founder Focus Initiative: celebrates the brave and creative entrepreneurs in our region whose passions are the products and services their companies provide.
  • http://brattleborodevelopment.com/founder-focus/
  • Workshops:
    • 3/8/17 – Structure Stress? L3C, LLC, S Corp., and B Corp. – What’s the best business entity structure for you?
    • 3/15/17 – No Budget Video: Make Videos that Work Online(featuring Luke)
    • Planning – a financial / bookkeeping mini-series

 

• Workforce Programs:
  • Internship Program
  • Working to expand the number of businesses and interns’ participating in the Internship

Program.

• Increasing business outreach and presence at regional colleges.
• Placed one intern in the month February at Deerfield Valley News
• Businesses who are interested in hosting an intern: The Retreat, The Hermitage Club, WW

Building Supply, Vermont Road Works, Parks Place, KidsPlayce, Don Meno Design

• Sophomore Summit:
• The BDCC is the lead organizer of the 2017 Sophomore Summit, a career awareness and exploration event that has been done throughout the state, but never in Windham County. The event will feature 15-20 different speakers and panelists currently working in a wide range of careers; every sophomore in Windham County is expected to attend. Other partners include So.VT Area Health Education Center, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, Youth Services, and Creative Workforce Solutions. This event will be part of the Fast Tracks to Success Program.

 

• Talent Pipeline Management
• The first Employer Collaborative in Windham County will be focused on Healthcare, and will be convened in the coming weeks. Subsequent collaborative will likely be Manufacturing and Technology. Food system industry leaders have also approached the BDCC with interest in exploring hiring needs in nondurable goods manufacturing, culinary, and added-value agriculture.
• Young Professionals
  • Last weekend’s Young Professionals Gala had over 300 attendees, and raised at least $2,000 for the young professionals group. All vendors came from within 20 miles of the event space, and highlighted local businesses and musicians. Final fundraising data will be available at the next meeting.