Department of Economic Development
June 2024
Above: Commissioner Goldstein takes a tour of Vermont Nut Free Chocolates in Colchester.
Greetings and Happy Summer!
Vermont Department of Economic Development Since lawmakers adjourned in mid-May, I’ve had more time to hit the road and visit some of our outstanding Vermont companies and regional partners. Just in the last month I’ve been to Hazelett Strip-Casting, Champlain Cable, and Vermont Nut Free Chocolates in Colchester; Engineered Printing Solutions in East Dorset; Advanced Conversion in Barre; Dynapower in South Burlington; Benchmark Space Systems and Green Mountain Semiconductor in Burlington; Mack Molding in Arlington; and Orvis in Manchester. Their work and dedication are inspiring.
LaunchVT had their demo night earlier this week where the 2024 cohort of eight entrepreneurs showed off their work. A goal of mine for this summer is to reach out to more in the start up community and do some site visits. If you would like DED to visit your company, whether it's a startup or an established enterprise, please reach out. We welcome the opportunity to learn more about your business and how DED might be able to help you.
At the end of June, I am heading to the 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C. with Tim Tierney, Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade. Global companies looking for a U.S. presence will be there and we will be sharing Vermont's virtues with them. Vermont is one of just three states to be featured in the video that opens the conference, which will make quite an impression.
We are preparing for the possibility of relaunching the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP). If there is $5M leftover at the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2024), it will go to BEGAP to help businesses, landlords, and nonprofits with their flood recovery efforts. Stay tuned for updates.
Wishing you all a dry and successful summer. Please reach out if we can be of assistance.
Regards,
Joan Goldstein
Commissioner, Department of Economic Development
[email protected]
At podium: Commissioner Goldstein addresses the crowd at the Vermont Flood Recovery Symposium in Johnson.
Flood Recovery Symposiums
Last week the state hosted Flood Recovery Symposiums in Stratton, Johnson, and Montpelier. Panelists and speakers shared federal, state, and philanthropic resources with municipalities, businesses, and nonprofits. If you were unable to attend and have questions, please email them to us.
Your Input Wanted
Make your voice heard by participating in an upcoming Vermont Climate Action Plan meeting. The state's initial Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2021. It's due to be updated in 2025.
These meetings are virtual. Click on one of the QR codes to the left to learn more about this effort and to register.
CEDRR Hosts Gov. Scott
Gov. Phil Scott will be joining our regional partner the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) for a legislative breakfast at the end of June. The event costs $20 and includes breakfast. Register online.
FMLI Office Hours
The Hartford is hosting virtual Office Hours on June 25 at 1:00pm for participants to learn more about Vermont's voluntary Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI).
Learn about cost, flexible plan designs, how FMLI works with other types of leaves like intermittent leave, and more. Register today.
Southern Vermont Economy Summit
ACCD sponsored the Southern Vermont Economy Summit at Mt. Snow on May 21. More than 300 people learned about a variety of topics including coalition building, adding Missing Middle housing, and Vermont’s hazard mitigation efforts.
Left to right: Dep. Secretary Tayt Brooks, VermontBiz Publisher John Boutin, Acting New England Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron, Kerry Boyle of Integrated Acupunture, Vermont SBA Deputy District Director Kevin Morehouse.
Vermont Business Award
Kerry Boyle of Integrated Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is Vermont’s Small Business Person of the Year. Commerce and Community Development Deputy Secretary Tayt Brooks spoke at the Vermont Small Business Association Awards recognizing Boyle and her success growing her business to serve three Vermont communities – Montpelier, Colchester, and Williston.
Top left: Tim Tierney and his daughter Mairen. Top right: Tim and Governor Scott. Bottom left: Paul Williams, Tim Tierney, Jacob Hemmerick. Bottom right: Tim and Commissioner Goldstein.
Employee Recognition
DED’s Tim Tierney recently received the 2024 Public Service Individual Recognition Award. Tim is DED’s Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade. We are grateful for all of Tim’s hard work and dedication.
Two other Agency of Commerce and Community Development employees were also honored, Financial Manager Paul Williams and Community Planning & Policy Manager Jacob Hemmerick.
Make connections with CONNEX. The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) is working to connect small and medium manufacturers with suppliers and potential customers. Sign up for this cloud-based platform today.
Vermont Department of Economic Development
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05620-5001
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