Damage in Barre from last week's flood.
MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER GOLDSTEIN
I can’t believe we are back here again. After a year of dedication and hard work to get your establishments back open, many of you are dealing with the aftermath of another wave of water. Please know we are thinking of you.
After successfully implementing the $20 million Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) following last July’s flood, we are gearing up to distribute another $5 million in BEGAP grants allocated by the legislature. We will update you on that effort when plans are finalized.
In the meantime, if you have suffered damage to your business or your home, please take a few minutes to alert Vermont 211. There are online forms for Business Damage and Residential Damage. The data collected by 211 will help the state of Vermont apply for federal disaster relief. A federal disaster declaration would make accessible FEMA dollars and SBA loan opportunities.
Please take care of yourselves. There are many resources available to you from volunteer help to free mental health support. You can find that and more on the ACCD Storm Recovery Resource Center. You can also receive updates on recovery efforts by signing up for the ACCD Severe Storm Recovery Newsletter.
Regards,
Joan Goldstein
Commissioner, Department of Economic Development
[email protected]
Commissioner Goldstein addresses members of the Austrian delegation at SelectUSA in Washington, D.C.
SelectUSA
Commissioner Goldstein and Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade Tim Tierney attended the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. in late June. More than 5,000 participants from more than 96 international markets were there to learn about investment opportunities in America.
As part of DED’s efforts to raise Vermont’s profile, Vermont was one of three states featured in a video to kick off the conference. Vermont also hosted a breakfast for the Austrian delegation. Austrian Ambassador Petra Schneebauer and companies considering establishing a foothold in the U.S. market attended. Several Austrian companies have since followed up with DED and are interested in Vermont as a potential site for their expansion.
Touring Wheelpad in Wilmington.
Touring Vermont Businesses
Commissioner Goldstein continues visiting Vermont companies this summer. In the last month she has checked in on Wheelpad in Wilmington, Fulflex in Brattleboro, NuHarbor Security and Hazelett Strip-Casting in Colchester, Rock of Ages in Graniteville, and Champlain College in Burlington.
VERMONT ECONOMIC PROGRESS COUNCIL IN THE FIELD
TIF Visits
VEPC Executive Director Jessica Smith Hartleben and VEPC Program Manager Ellie Beckett have been visiting Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. So far, they’ve visited South Burlington (pictured here), Winooski, St. Albans, Milton, Burlington, Hartford, and Barre.
TIFs are used to finance public infrastructure improvements like streets, sidewalks and stormwater systems, that then spur private development like the housing shown here on Market Street. Learn more about Vermont’s TIF program.
VEGI Visits
The VEPC Team is also visiting businesses using the Vermont Economic Growth Initiative (VEGI) to add employees, increase payroll, and/or undergo expansion projects. So far this summer, they've been to Twincraft (pictured here) and Gordini in Essex Town, NuHarbor Security in Colchester, and Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls.
According to the Vermont Department of Taxes, every dollar spent on VEGI results in $46 of payroll expenditures and capital investments.
NORTHERN BORDER REGIONAL COMMISSION INVESTMENTS
The Creative Economy
Catamount Film and Arts wins a $475,000 grant to fix up its Creative Campus in St. Johnsbury from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Learn more about how NBRC helps Vermont.
Airport Improvements
The Leahy Burlington International Airport is receiving a $1.7M grant from the North Border Regional Commission’s (NBRC) Timber for Transit program to build a new and improved North Concourse.
Retreat Farm
A ribbon cutting at Retreat Farm in Brattleboro. The new North Barn allows Retreat Farm to host events year-round and it was made possible in part with a $500,000 Capital Investment Program grant.
Left: Gov. Scott greets developers where the Berwick Hotel once stood. Right: Gov. Scott, Dep. Cmsr. Brett Long, and VEPC Exec. Dir. Jessica Smith Hartleben listen to Rutland Mayor Mike Doenges.
Rebirth in Rutland?
A new push to build where the Berwick Hotel once stood in downtown Rutland. Governor Scott, DED Deputy Commissioner Brett Long, VEPC Executive Director Jessica Hartleben and others learn about plans to build a new hotel and housing on the vacant lot.
BIPOC Community Survey
The Vermont Professionals of Color Network is seeking to expand their understanding of the BIPOC community’s needs specifically when it comes to economic opportunities and building community. If you identify as BIPOC, please take this 15-minute survey by July 31.
Small Business Survey
The Vermont Employee Ownership Center is encouraging small businesses to spend ten minutes to take the Northeast Transit Initiative’s Ownership Transition Survey. The results will be used to better understand how business owners are preparing for retirement and learn about their succession plans.
Wendy Mackenzie (left) of Everlasting Herb Farm and Brenda Plastridge (right) of DED's APEX Accelerator Team.
Succeed with APEX
Everlasting Herb Farm in Peacham was named the 2024 Vermont Microenterprise of the Year by the Small Business Administration. In an email to her subscribers, owner Wendy Mackenzie thanked several people for helping her business grow and thrive, including DED’s Brenda Plastridge.
Brenda is the APEX Accelerator Procurement Counselor serving Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans Counties. She worked with Wendy for 18 months to help her obtain a federal Woman-Owned Small Business Certification.
APEX Accelerator is devoted to helping Vermont companies with government contracting on all levels. Brenda is just one of six counselors statewide. Learn what APEX Accelerator can do for your business.
Vermont Department of Economic Development
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05620-5001
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