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Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economy December News

Submitted by tim on

Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance The holiday season is off to a strong start with events showcasing Vermont’s world - class sports scene and outdoor industry. World Cup skiing was on display at Killington Resort over the Thanksgiving weekend, with a record-breaking 21,000 spectators witnessing the highest level of performance while patronizing businesses in the region.

On November 10, the sector demonstrated its depth at VOBA’s Outdoor Economy Sessions where 100 representatives rekindled ties and brainstormed opportunities for business development, workforce, and marketing, as well as how to approach justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion and recreation infrastructure.

The event put a face on data released by the US Bureau of Economic Analysis on November 9 which reported value added contributions as a percent of state gross domestic product (GDP) jumping from 3.7% in 2020 to 4.1% in 2021, maintaining Vermont’s third highest ranking in the country.

Continuing sector growth into the future will be buoyed by the launch of several economic development programs by the Agency of Commerce and Community Development, including the Worker Relocation Incentive Program and Community Recovery and Revitalization Program.

Many outdoor recreation champions are behind Vermont’s success. Marc Sherman and Mike Donohue of Outdoor Gear Exchange were recognized for their long-lasting contributions to Vermont as recipients of VOBA’s Patrick Leahy Trailblazer Legacy Award. Commissioner Michael Snyder from the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation recently announced his departure and will leave an indelible mark on outdoor recreation, including the addition of more than 12,000 acres of state forest and state park lands and his leadership in the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC).

Shop local this holiday season and see you in 2023!

In case you missed it, see photos from VOBA’s Fourth Annual Meeting and Outdoor Economy Sessions at HULA in Burlington. In addition to presentations, strategic discussions and networking, VOBA members voted in new Board Directors Chris Fidler from Burton Snowboards and Courtney Laggner from Darn Tough as well as appreciated outgoing directors Jordan Jiskra and Mark Yardley.

ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

The Worker Relocation Incentive Program has been launched at ThinkVermont.com with $3 million in funding by the Vermont Legislature. Grants will provide up to $7,500 to both new workers (moving to Vermont to take a Vermont job) and remote workers (moving to Vermont and bringing their job with them) for all occupations to defray moving costs.

The Community Recovery and Revitalization Program is available for projects that spur economic recovery and revitalization in communities across the state. Grants are available to for-profit, nonprofit, and municipal applicants for projects that:

  • Assist industries most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic such as arts and entertainment, hospitality, agriculture, and educational services;
  • Support childcare and affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income households; and,
  • Establish or improve municipal water and wastewater systems to build housing or create jobs through business creation and expansion.

Register to attend Virtual Workforce Support Sessions for employers interested in recruitment, training, and retention resources on Dec 8 and 15 at noon with workforce development specialists from the Department of Economic Development, Department of Labor, and Vermont State Colleges (Vermont State University and Community College of Vermont) on:

  • Who to contact for workforce programs and services;
  • How to upskill incumbent workers or train new hires;
  • Where to find labor market information like wage rates and projections; and,
  • What funding may be available to help pay for training.

The Vermont Training Program provides performance-based workforce grants for pre-employment training, training for new hires, and training for incumbent workers. Training can either be on-site or offered through an outside provider and grants may cover up to 50% of the training cost.

The VEDA Forgivable Loan Program is open to all business sectors. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees, operating since March 13, 2020, and suffering economic harm from COVID-19 may apply.

NEW MEMBERSHIP CYCLE: RENEW OR BECOME A MEMBER OF VOBA

The Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance was established in Dec 2018 as a statewide nonprofit organization of outdoor recreation businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to strengthen, expand, attract, and retain outdoor recreation economy businesses in Vermont. VOBA’s charitable purpose is to educate Vermonters about outdoor recreation and educate Vermont outdoor recreation businesses about business development initiatives, collaboration opportunities and outdoor economy policy.

Currently, VOBA’s 100 members work together to provide technical assistance and resources for outdoor business development in the areas of financing, workforce development, infrastructure and branding, while committed to investments in the two core pillars of the outdoor recreation economy: the state’s natural landscapes and recreation assets and participation for all people. Embedded throughout VOBA work are efforts to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) in outdoor work places and outdoor spaces. Read VOBA's 2021 Annual Report.

VOBA's fourth annual membership cycle began on July 1, 2022 and runs through June 30, 2023. We invite you to join or renew your membership and receive benefits as an Industry Member, Supporting Associate, or Strategic Associate, including: Website and social media recognition; event and workshop participation; newsletter subscription; access to research and reports; networking and mentoring opportunities; media promotion; organizational decision making; and, work groups engagement. Additional benefits, such as voting rights, policy advocacy support, and promotional opportunities, apply to some categories.

As a nonprofit organization, VOBA relies on your member donations, which are also tax-deductible charitable donations. Thank you for your support and see you in the outdoors!