VermontBiz The Senator James M. Jeffords Welcome Center, also known as the Bennington State Welcome Center, will be celebrating ten years of service on Wednesday, October 11 2023. Since its opening in 2013, the Welcome Center, located on Highway 279, has served as a beacon of hospitality and information for 1,082,746 visitors and travelers.
The modern architecture, friendly staff, and wealth of resources at the Welcome Center have enabled visitors from all walks of life to navigate and explore the beauty and myriad of attractions the state has to offer. For a decade, the building has stood as a symbol of commitment to promoting tourism and providing exceptional services to all who visit and live in The Shires of Southwestern Vermont.
In fall of 2016, the Bennington Welcome Center adopted a new name as the “Senator James M. Jeffords Welcome Center,” named after the late Senator. A Rutland native, Jeffords served as Vermont’s delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1989, then was a U.S. Senator until 2007 before passing away in 2014. He’s credited with securing the $6.5 million earmark used to build the Welcome Center at the Route 279 interchange, which opened in October of 2013. It took time, but Jeffords was able to secure a federal earmark for the project: The western leg, which connects U.S. 7 in Vermont with New York Route 7, opened to traffic in 2004.
The Welcome Center serves over 100,000 visitors each year with an average of 295 visitors a day. Travelers have come to know the Welcome Center for its friendly staff, cleanliness, scenic views, beautiful artwork, and of course the complimentary coffee and tea.
The Welcome Center not only stocks informational brochures, but also hiking maps for the area, menus from area restaurants and an ongoing list of area events. The building houses two display cases which any Vermont business can use to display their wares, as well as poster kiosks for local businesses to promote their product and services. The Welcome Center also has an art wall on which local Vermont artists display their work. Visitors love the True Patriot horse sculpture, which was constructed by local artist, Rita Dee.
Many folks in the area stop in every month to see what’s new. Schools have visited to see the Welcome Center’s archeological display. This display came to light while the center and roads were being built. It is a window into Bennington’s past from Ancient times through the industrial era. The Center also displays Vermont made furniture which is often used by visitors to sit, have coffee, rest, chat and even enjoy their picnic lunch. In warm weather the Center’s picnic area and patio are used by a lot of travelers and locals who enjoy the view of the Green and Taconic mountains and especially the spectacular view of Mount Anthony and Monument. The Vermont State Welcome Centers are also built as a safety and rest stop for truckers as well.
“Today, the Welcome Center is a symbol of the welcoming spirit of Vermont,” says PJ DeVito, Welcome Center Manager, who recently celebrated 20 years of working for the Chamber of Commerce. “We have a great staff of 8-9 part-time workers who staff the Welcome Center 365 days a year. Two staff people are at the Welcome Center throughout the day. We do this to ensure safety, as well as a way to offer the best customer care we can provide for our travelers. This staff, who take many tests throughout the year in order to become official state ambassadors, are knowledgeable about area attractions, lodging, restaurants, and businesses and do their best to send our visitors to downtown Bennington and throughout the region. Our unofficial motto up at the Welcome Center is, ‘See beautiful Bennington before continuing on through the rest of our lovely state.’”
Somewhat unique in Vermont, the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce is contracted to manage the state welcome center by employing staff, managing budgets and handling concerns like the recent Covid pandemic.
“Celebrating the ten year anniversary of the State Welcome Center is not just about marking a milestone of a building. It's about recognizing the profound impact it has had on our community and state tourism,” states Matt Harrington, executive director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber. “It’s a testament to our shared values of hospitality, openness, and connection, as we’ve welcomed countless travelers from around the nation and the globe. I could not be prouder of our staff at the Welcome Center - every day they put a smile on their face, handle a multitude of questions, and truly are the ambassadors of our brave little state. Many of them have been there since the opening ten years ago; our hats are off to them for their ongoing service to our community and state.
In the last decade, the Welcome Center has become an essential part of the journey for tourists, providing comprehensive information about local attractions, accommodations, dining, and historic sites. With the center’s strategic location on Highway 279, it has been the first stop for many exploring the enchanting landscapes, historic landmarks, and vibrant communities of Vermont.
Share Your Story: We invite you to share your stories and experiences of visiting the Welcome Center over the past 10 years: https://www.bennington.com/welcomecenter10years
For more information on the Bennington State Welcome Center visit https://informationcenter.vermont.gov/centers/bennington
