Vermont Business Magazine Since 1995, VMEC has assisted hundreds of Vermont’s small and mid-size manufacturers to solve problems, improve their economic competitiveness, grow through innovation, and enhance their technological capabilities. The results include higher profits, savings in time and money, people and physical investments and the creation and retention of higher-paying manufacturing jobs with good benefits – all significantly enhancing our local, state and national economies.
As Vermont’s only singularly focused resource for manufacturers, VMEC is uniquely positioned to deliver measurable impact from state and federal investments. We are mission-driven to strengthen and empower Vermont manufacturers.
Job creation and retention, wages and benefits, client investment, increased and retained sales are just a few of the highlights that stand out to produce what compiles our measured outcomes and impacts. Read the latest client-reported results of how VMEC assists companies and helps drive significant impact for Vermont's manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing Advocacy Day
Wednesday, February 26
8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Vermont State House, 115 State St., Montpelier
Vermont Manufacturing Day offers manufacturing businesses and industry leaders the opportunity to connect with legislators and highlight the manufacturing sector's significant contributions to Vermont's economy. Join the celebration at the State House and help raise awareness of the vital role manufacturing plays in Vermont's prosperity - RSVP today!
Questions? Contact Karen Duguay, VT Chamber of Commerce, Senior Director of Programming, at [email protected].
Learning Opportunities for You!
2025 marks VMEC’s 30th anniversary supporting Vermont Manufacturers and you benefit in a big way! All year long, we'll reduce the fee of our Lean-based "standard" public training opportunities at a 70% discount!
Where Finance Meets Opportunity: How to get the most out of your banking relationship
Wednesday, February 19 / 10:00 - 11:00 am
Virtual / FREE / Register!
AND
Wednesday, February 26 / 2:00 - 3:00 pm
VTSU Williston campus, Williston / FREE / Register!
Join VMEC and Northfield Savings Bank for a “real” conversation about banking relationships. Your relationship with your bank matters more than you might realize and like any other important relationship in your life, a banking relationship has its “goods” and its “not-so-goods.” But how can you tell the difference? What does a truly healthy banking relationship look like and how can you ensure you’re getting the best value, support, and services?
This hour-long session will include an introduction about the importance of having the right financial advice that fits your business needs, regardless if you’re a five person, 25 person or much larger VT-based manufacturer.
Rosemarie White, Senior Vice President Commercial Banking for Northfield Savings Bank, will address various topics such as how to get the most out of your bank, what you can do to protect your hard earned money, how to maximize operational cash flow, what you need to know and do before considering a loan, foundational principles of business banking to support your growth and success and more. There will be ample time for your questions, ensuring you leave with actionable insights. Register soon as space is limited. The content for both sessions will be the same.
Lean 101 Food Production Fundamentals
Wednesday, March 12 / 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Winston Prouty Center, Brattleboro / $105 pp / Register!
Is your focus in the food manufacturing operations area? Whether you grow, bake, mix, package, retail, wholesale or warehouse “it”, Lean 101 Food Production Fundamentals is for you! Taking the roots from our standard and popular Lean 101 Fundamentals learning opportunity, we take it one step further by customizing this offering to what’s in the best interest of VT food producers to help you with your workflow challenges, eliminating waste in your processes and systems and so much more.
Connect, Engage and Strive toward Strategic Goals Together
Revised Start Date! April 3 - October 31 / Various times
Remote and In-person sessions / $269 pp and $895 pp /
Register! (see Pricing section for details)
VMEC advisors have long been practicing, teaching and facilitating Strategy Development, Activation and Deployment. And while we may agree that “Culture eats Strategy for Breakfast”, we have also experienced the powerful impact of Strategy Deployment to focus, align, and develop capability and adaptability.
This dynamic multi-session opportunity will take you from mission, vision, and values to an executable, engaging plan and repeatable process. You will leave Session One with a roadmap, a few steps already taken, usable templates and a plan to work with VMEC one-on-one to be specific about your scope and method for using structured and dynamic Strategy Deployment; view this 18-second time lapse Strategy Deployment clip which gives a taste of the process.
Tooling U-SME
Various training options that fit your schedule!
With nearly 600 online classes, virtual labs, instructor-led training, certifications, apprenticeships, consulting and more, Tooling U-SME works with thousands of company industry leaders, including more than half of all Fortune 500® manufacturers, 1,000+ educational institutions across the country and more than half of the states in our MEP National Network.
Food Safety Certification and Training Programs
Various training options that fit your schedule!
If you are a VT food manufacturer, this is for you! As someone whose livelihood depends on keeping Vermonters and others around our country and possibly international populations with the highest quality of food and beverage the Green Mtn. State has to offer, we bring to you several opportunities to engage in programs to further develop your company’s success as it relates to food safety.
View our Training and Events page to read the full descriptions and register for any of the events above.
SBA’s 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition
Deadline Extended to Friday, Feb. 7!
Important updates have been made to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2025 Growth Accelerator Fund Competition, including an extended opportunity to apply to Stage One. This year’s competition offers eligible entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) $75,000 to $150,000 in prize awards during two stages, for a total of $9M in awards. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to accelerate the growth and maturity of innovation ecosystems and apply today!
Questions? E-mail [email protected] or attend upcoming office hours.
Part of the nationwide MEP National Network and hosted by Vermont State University since 1995, VMEC operates as a not-for-profit with a primary mission, “to strengthen and empower Vermont manufacturers.”
A local resource and trusted adviser to manufacturing enterprises of all sizes, the VMEC team brings expertise in consulting, coaching, hands-on implementation support, training and education for leaders and workers. VMEC is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Vermont.
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center | Post Office Box 12 | Randolph Center, VT 05061 US
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