Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce Convenes Mid-Session Legislative Breakfast
Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce hosted its Mid-Session Legislative Breakfast this week at the Bennington Elks Carriage Barn, bringing together local employers, nonprofit and community leaders, and a delegation of Bennington County Senators and Representatives for a candid discussion on Vermont’s policy direction at the midpoint of the legislative session.
The breakfast centered on the shared challenges shaping the region’s economic outlook: affordability and property taxes, the pace and complexity of permitting, transportation funding sustainability, workforce and housing pressures, and the need for a clearer statewide economic development strategy. The conversation also highlighted a consistent theme across perspectives: Vermont’s success depends on practical solutions that protect what makes the state exceptional while making it easier to invest, build, and grow.
“This is a very important conversation for business owners, business leaders, and nonprofit leaders because decisions made in Montpelier land directly here at home,” said Matt Harrington, CEO of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. “Our goal is simple: create a respectful, open space where legislators can share what’s moving, and where employers and community stakeholders can speak plainly about what’s working and what isn’t.”
Key Themes from the Breakfast
Affordability and Education Finance at an Inflection Point
Legislators described an unsustainable trajectory in education-related property tax pressures and the growing urgency for structural reform. Participants emphasized that Vermonters need a system that is more understandable, predictable, and fiscally durable - one that frees up capacity for other priorities like housing, health care, and infrastructure.
Permitting and Regulatory Responsiveness
A dominant topic was the pace and uncertainty of state permitting — particularly for redevelopment and “already-built” sites — where participants described months-long delays and shifting requirements that increase costs and deter investment.
“We have multiple transformational projects happening, and every single one of them we’ve had to push the state to get permitting moving forward,” said Shannon Barsotti, Assistant Town Manager of the Town of Bennington. “Agencies too often see themselves as regulators, not facilitators. We want to protect our environment — and we want to get to yes.”
Transportation Funding Gaps and Infrastructure Investment
Participants heard sobering updates on declining transportation revenues and the difficulty of funding core needs like paving, bridges, and municipal grants. Legislators described the widening mismatch between revenue growth and construction inflation, with calls for new, sustainable funding mechanisms as vehicle trends shift away from traditional fuel tax models.
Economic Development as a Statewide Priority
Stakeholders repeatedly underscored that Vermont cannot solve affordability, workforce, or tax burdens without stronger business growth and population stabilization. Several participants applauded efforts underway in Montpelier to elevate economic development as a consistent legislative focus.
“One of the strongest messages we heard today is that economic development can’t be episodic - it has to be durable and sustained,” Harrington said. “This region is ready to build. The question is whether state systems will meet that momentum with speed, clarity, and partnership.”
Business Climate and Investment Reality
Local employers spoke directly about the compounding cost of construction, delays, and uncertainty arguing that Vermont must address root barriers, not only create new financing programs on top of a broken process.
“We’re not fixing the problem if we’re just patching,” said Jose Oliver, owner of Oliver Auto Group, describing the time and cost burden of permitting and project delays. “Fix the system first - streamline, respond, and prioritize projects that are already in developed areas.”
While discussions were candid, the overall tone emphasized shared responsibility and Vermont’s capacity to solve hard problems when leaders work across lines. Legislators encouraged ongoing contact and reinforced their openness to hearing from constituents and employers.
Erika Floriani, Membership Manager with the Chamber, added, "The energy in the room during the post-presentation Q&A was fantastic. Those follow-up conversations and thoughtful questions are exactly why we host these events; it’s where the real work of understanding each other happens."
The Chamber also recognized the Bennington Elks for hosting the breakfast and for their long-standing service to the community through local giving, scholarships, veterans’ programming, and youth support.
The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce is a regional business and economic development organization serving Bennington County and the surrounding tri-state area. The Chamber supports employers through advocacy, networking, workforce initiatives, tourism promotion, and programs that strengthen the region’s economic vitality and quality of life.
BENNINGTON, VT (March 3, 2026) — Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Photos courtesy of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber.