Vermont Business Magazine Speaking in Vergennes this morning, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christine Hallquist presented her plan to grow Vermont’s rural economy and revitalize communities across the state. Hallquist, in a statement, said, “Vermont, like rural areas across the country, is struggling. We see young people moving away to pursue economic opportunity elsewhere and our aging population struggles to access services and stay in their homes. It’s clear to me that we have control of our future - with the right investments in infrastructure, business, and people, we can reverse these demographic trends and grow Vermont’s economy, making our state a place that attracts people, talent, and investment.”
Candidate for governor spoke in Vergennes Tuesday morning about her economic plan. Photo via Twitter.
The three main points of her plan are:
- A universal fiber optic network for increased connectivity
- An expansion of Tax Increment Finance districts and Opportunity Zones
- A focus on state-municipal collaboration for downtown districts
“It took my downtown of Morrisville years to get a traffic bypass, just as Vergennes is proposing now. My administration would be a partner to towns in getting the expertise and financing they need to thrive. My friend, Liz Gamache, led the revitalization of downtown Saint Albans. She has made it clear to me that this would not have been possible without strong support from state government and a shared vision for progress. My administration will work creatively and proactively with towns to ensure that they can survive and thrive in today’s changing world.” Hallquist said.
She was joined by Denise MacMartin, a candidate for house in Washington-1, who spoke of the importance of accessible childcare for economic growth, another of Hallquist’s priorities.
Bram Kleppner, CEO of Danforth Pewter, addressed the challenges in providing healthcare to employees. While he made it clear that employees have a right to healthcare, he also articulated the challenges that providing healthcare can present to business growth and success, particularly to new and small businesses. Christine believes that healthcare is a human right, but also recognizes that our current system is a huge impediment to economic growth and that our system currently incentivizes a “race to the bottom.”
Hallquist emphasized her support for TIF Districts and Opportunity Zones as avenues for economic development. These programs give municipalities the tools to increase investment and develop infrastructure, revitalizing communities and creating jobs. Thriving downtowns also increase the surrounding communities’ access to services. This is critical, particularly for Vermont’s aging population. Jeff Fritz, Deputy Mayor of Vergennes, discussed how his town’s designation as the only Opportunity Zone in Addison County had spurred economic growth.
“People want to live in Vermont, but often find the cost out of reach. With the right investment, we can make it possible for people to not just live, but thrive here. By achieving universal connectivity, developing our downtowns, and supporting working Vermonters, Vermont will not only retain its youth, but attract the best and brightest from outside of the state,” Hallquist said.
Source: Hallquist campaign 10.16.2018