The Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation held its 34th Annual Meeting recently at the Capitol Plaza. Approximately 120 local business leaders heard from four of the administration’s key economic development professionals.
Concluding the meeting, the Honorable Governor Peter Shumlin spoke and assisted President Bev Pembroke Hill in presenting four awards to outstanding businesses in Central Vermont. The President’s Award was presented to Barry T. Chouinard of Northfield in recognition of his leadership and many contributions to the community, Central Vermont and State of Vermont.
The Leo C. Laferriere Community Service Award was presented to Amy Mattinat of Auto Craftsmen in Montpelier. The Community Service Award is given in honor of Leo Laferriere a founding Director, First President and lifelong advocate of economic, environmental, education and recreational initiatives in Central Vermont.
The CVEDC Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Valerie Beaudet of the Fire House Ladder 1 Grill in Barre. In recognition of its sales growth, job growth and community service within the past three years.
Lastly, a special award and thank you was made to WDEV Radio, VT for their exceptional service to the community during Hurricane Irene. CVEDC made a donation to the Green Mountain United Way in their name for flood relief. Roger Hill, Lee Kittell, Tom Beardsley, and Eric Michaels were in attendance to accept the award.
Jennifer Surat is the Director of Development at CVEDC. CVEDC is a non-profit, citizen-oriented organization whose objectives are to provide impetus for the region’s economic development activity by 1) Promoting Central Vermont and its resources to businesses contemplating new facilities, 2) assisting the area’s existing business planning expansion, 3) providing advisory service, education and information to small businesses, and 4) improving the infra-structure necessary for economic growth. Our primary goal is to create jobs for the citizens living in Central Vermont.
