Climate Change and Our Local Economy
On October 6, Southern Vermont will host the Vermont Council on Rural
Development’s Regional Public Forum on Advancing Vermont’s Climate Change
Economy. It takes place at the Latchis Theater from 7-9pm. I encourage
everyone to participate in this timely discussion which will directly impact
the recommendations that will be presented to the Governor and Legislature in
February.
The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) is leading the Vermont
Climate Change Economy Initiative with the premise that confronting climate
change through innovative economic development can be a competitive strategy,
one that will build national reputation, create jobs and attract youth and
entrepreneurism.
In the Windham Region, we have seen and supported a great deal of business
collaboration and innovation around green building, including the Green
Building Cluster projects we have recently gained federal funding support
for. We are excited to join with business and community leaders around
Vermont in proactively addressing climate change while also advancing our
economy.
I look forward to the opening panel with Orly Munzing, Peter Yost, and Bob
Stevens as well as the ensuing conversation to consider the opportunities we
have to reduce our carbon footprint and advance Vermont’s prosperity. Many
innovative companies in Southern Vermont are already leading the way.
The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Southeastern
Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS ) have been following our
local leaders in the Green Building & Renewables Industry for some time now.
The Windham Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) was
accepted in 2014 and identified the Green Building sector as one in which
Southern Vermont is already a leader. Across the tri-state area this sector
features businesses and institutions already producing innovation and a
skilled workforce. This sector shows major growth potential and the capacity
to generate a wide range of high value jobs and workers, to replace those
lost from Vermont Yankee.
On September 8, 2015 the BDCC and SeVEDS were awarded an Economic Development
Authority (EDA) grant to combine with local and state investment for a total
project investment of $530,000 to support the creation of a Green Building
Cluster Study and a Southern Vermont Business Innovation Accelerator. The
Cluster study is the next step towards establishing a “Southern
Vermont-Based Center of Excellence for Resilience and Sustainability.” A
comprehensive sector analysis will fully identify the strengths, needs and
growth potential of a Southern Vermont Green Building Cluster. The Southern
Vermont Accelerator is designed to speed the creation of new jobs and
products for export. It will provide the comprehensive entrepreneurial
infrastructure and financial resources needed to fulfill the CEDS goals and
objectives.
This October 6 forum on the Climate Change Economy will be a great chance for
the region to learn more about this growing sector and how the Green Building
Cluster Analysis will help to serve as local catalyst for our 21st century
economy.
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