Vermont Department of Economic Development
Message From Commissioner Jepson
As I start this new role as Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development (DED), I want to thank Governor Scott for placing his trust in me and the new Deputy Commissioner, Nick Grimley. We are excited for this opportunity and committed to maintaining the consistency and predictability you’ve come to trust from this department. I’m also grateful to be joining a team with such invaluable institutional knowledge and an impressive record of delivering results for Vermonters.
We are also thrilled to welcome Farida Ibrahim to the team. She will be managing the upcoming Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP), a statewide tool to help communities invest in infrastructure that will unlock housing opportunities. You can learn more about Farida below. Since the Legislature adjourned, the Vermont Economic Progress Council has been working diligently to make this program available as quickly as possible. I’m proud to report that after several months of hard work, program guidelines are now available and we’re on track for a January launch.
For those of you that I have not met, I look forward to connecting in the months ahead. For those I’ve had the good fortune to work with before, I look forward to continuing to do so. Please stay in touch: [email protected]
Sincerely,
Lyle Jepson
Commissioner
Department News
On the Road
Left: Cross-Border Tourism Alliance, Right: Aerospace Council meeting
- Québec: A Vermont delegation joined partners of the Cross-Border Tourism Alliance in Lacolle, Québec, just north of Alburgh. It was a great day centered on a shared goal: to build a vision for sustainable and harmonious tourism development on both sides of the border. Vermonters included team members from the Department of Tourism and Marketing, Department of Economic Development, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, Hello Burlington, and Ski Vermont.
- Utah: Deputy Commissioner Grimley attended the inaugural National Lieutenant Governors Association Aerospace Council meeting. He represented Vermont alongside 20 other states and territories at Hill Air Force Base.
From left to right: Brittany Nevins, Sandy Bigglestone (Deputy Commissioner, Captive Insurance Division, Department of Financial Regulation), Ian Davis (President, Vermont Captive Insurance Association), Christine Brown (Director of Captive Insurance, Department of Financial Regulation)
- Luxembourg: Captive Insurance Economic Development Director Brittany Nevins travelled to the European Captive Forum, where the State of Vermont once again received the International Domicile of the Year Award at the European Captive Review Awards. This marks the fourth consecutive win.
- Washington, DC: Joanne Spaulding, APEX Program Director, and Ed Williams, Procurement Counselor, attended the National APEX Accelerator Alliance Fall Conference. The annual event offers workshops and training from NAPEX and various Federal Agencies, and the opportunity to connect with congressional members in support of the APEX program.
Welcome Farida Ibrahim!
Farida has joined the Vermont Economic Progress Council staff to support the work of the Community and Housing Infrastructure Program, which is set to launch in January 2026. She is a former U.S. Diplomat and served ten years with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Her last assignment was Ukraine, where she led a team overseeing $3 billion in energy and infrastructure projects.
Prior to her service with USAID, Farida served as a Program Specialist with the U.S. State Department where she oversaw women, youth, and economic development programs in Libya.
VEPC Annual Meeting
The Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC) held its 2025 Annual Retreat with a focus on the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI). Discussions focused on the rationale for state business incentives, a review of VEGI’s history and mechanics, and an analysis of how Vermont’s only business incentive program compares to other programs nationally. Key takeaways included identifying the strengths of the current program and opportunities to refine the business incentive landscape to support more economic growth.
Outdoor Recreation Economy Partnerships
Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) funding has fueled several recent outdoor recreation economy projects through the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance, and Vermont Recreation and Parks Association. Collectively, these partnerships have produced adaptive trail-building videos, networking sessions on industry topics, and delivered professional trainings and statewide conferences that strengthen Vermont’s outdoor recreation economy.
In the News
- Governor Scott Appoints Lyle Jepson Commissioner: Lyle was the Executive Director of the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region since 2020. Previously, his career spanned several roles in education, including 30 years in public and technical education across Vermont. Learn more about Lyle in his interview with the Mountain Times.
- VEGI Supports Harbour Industries: The aerospace cable manufacturer employs more than 100 people at its Shelburne facility and has been in business for nearly 60 years. In a recent interview, the Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation highlighted the importance of a skilled workforce and how a Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI) grant is helping the company hire and train new operators.
Opportunities and Resources
Drought Impacts
Many Vermont businesses, still not fully recovered from the 2023 and 2024 frosts and flooding, are once again facing uncertainty and impacts from another climate disaster. If your business has been impacted, please:
- Complete the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets 2025 Drought Impact Survey.
- See if you are eligible for financial support through the Vermont Economic Development Authority’s Disaster Recovery Loan Fund.
Working Lands Enterprise Initiative Business Enhancement Grant
Up to $50,000 per recipient is available to support projects that address infrastructure, equipment, marketing, research and development, or workforce training and development needs. This grant is open to Vermont working lands businesses/organizations. This includes food, fiber, and forest product producers.
The Latest from VEDA
The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) is Vermont’s premier economic development finance organization supporting businesses, not-for-profits, and agricultural operations. Sign up today to receive their monthly updates to your inbox.
OUR PROGRAMS
Brownfields Revitalization Fund (BRF)
International Trade Assistance (STEP)
Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI)
Vermont Training Program (VTP)
Vermont Department of Economic Development
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier, VT 05620-5001
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