Greetings,
I hope you are all enjoying spring in Vermont and were able to see the Great American Eclipse. It was an amazing spectacle I was able to witness with my family. It’s a memory we will always treasure and I’m thrilled so many of our businesses were able to capitalize on this tremendous opportunity. We hope to have some eclipse economic impact data to share in the near future.
Quoting is underway for Vermont Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI). State employees are already enrolled in the program and, starting July 1st, businesses with two or more employees can offer Vermont FMLI. FMLI is highly customizable and it is voluntary. Employers must opt-in to participate. Vermont FMLI is fully insured and self-funded, meaning it relies on no public money. If you want to learn more, check out this webinar or reach out to The Hartford or your broker today.
Please take note of some important dates below and reach out if we can be of any assistance to you.
Regards,
Joan Goldstein
Commissioner, Department of Economic Development
[email protected]
An aerial shot of Winooski facing north.
TIF Results
The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program run by the Vermont Economic Progress Council released its 2023 Annual Report. Inside you can learn more about this tool that spurs growth in downtowns, including the success of Winooski’s TIF which helped grow the Onion City’s grand list from $25 million in 2004 to $104 million today.
Learn About H-2B Visas
DED and Dinse held office hours to educate employers about H-2B visas for non-agricultural seasonal help. See how H-2Bs could help you find workers.
Workforce Grants
The Norther Border Regional Commission announced another round of Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grants are coming to Vermont. The state will receive a portion of $49M in WORC to support rural communities’ efforts to align workforce development efforts with economic development plans. More WORC details are expected later this month.
DoD Regional Matchmaker
Sign up today to join this dynamic conference hosted by Vermont APEX Accelerator. Government contractors, government agencies, and small businesses are invited to participate in workshops, networking, and one-on-one meetings between businesses and government purchasing agents and prime contractors. Early bird pricing ends April 26. Reach out to Denise Nelson with questions.
Save The Date
In-person regional workshops featuring one-on-one sessions with federal program staff will take place the week of June 3 during Regional Flood Recovery Symposiums. Three locations will be announced. For more details, email Mary Kucenski or Erik Filkorn.
Harvest New England Day
Apply now to sell your products during Harvest New England Day at the Big E on September 27. This is a great opportunity for businesses interested in featuring their product without a multi-day commitment. Deadline to apply is June 1.
Yellow Barn Progress
Work on the Yellow Barn in Hardwick continues. The historic barn is undergoing a transformation from a brownfield to a local food hub that will feature Cabot Creamery, Jasper Hill, and the Center for an Agricultural Economy.
To date the project has received about $13M from various sources including the Community Recovery and Revitalization Program, Northern Border Regional Commission and Community Development Block Grant.
Commercial/ Industrial Site Locator
Vermont Department of Economic Development
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05620-5001