Celebrating Vermont Public Service Recognition Award Winners
Elisabeth Nance: A Model of Teamwork in Action
As Commissioner for the Vermont Department of Economic Development, I have the privilege of highlighting individuals on our staff with the annual Public Service Recognition Award. Early on in my role I learned that if I needed well informed feedback on an issue, all I needed to do was to go find Elisabeth Nance, our Grant Programs Manager.
Elisabeth has her professional finger on the pulse of everything Department of Economic Development. What makes her a critical part of our team is her wealth of knowledge and experience. Balanced with a much appreciated and often dry sense of humor, Elisabeth brings a realistic and efficient approach to supporting the prosperity of the citizens of the state of Vermont.
She is a model of teamwork in action.
Elisabeth joined the ACCD Department of Economic Development (DED) team on April 29, 2024. Her prior experience with the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation provided her with a professional skill set and high-level understanding of the economic development needs faced by Vermont. She now supports the Northern Boarder Regional Commission and Brownfields Revitalization Fund programs and is always ready to help other DED programs find success.
We are all lucky to have Elisabeth at the helm, helping to direct grant funding to projects that will be most meaningful for the future of our State. On behalf of those of us who have the privilege of working with her, we say thank you, and congratulations on the much-deserved 2026 Public Service Recognition Award.
Commissioner Lyle Jepson
Shelley Pembroke: Always There to Help
Shelley Pembroke is the Economic Development Digital Marketing Specialist for the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, and we are thrilled to congratulate her on her Public Service Recognition Award this year. On top of her role with the Think Vermont initiative to promote Vermont to potential new residents, Shelley has been recognized by both her peers and agency leadership for her courage, bravery and determination in leading the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s digital accessibility team.
Not one to be deterred by the inertia of the status quo, Shelley has not shied away from any difficult conversations or push back – but has been patiently guiding her colleagues through complicated directives and has ultimately, gone above and beyond in helping all of us meet this moment in serving Vermonters. Recognizing a need and stepping up to help her teammates succeed seems to come as second nature to Shelley. We thank Shelley for her leadership on the incredibly important topic of accessibility -- and we see, appreciate, and now celebrate all that she brings to the Agency every day.
Commissioner Heather Pelham
Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
DEPARTMENT NEWS
Simmonds Precision offered generous hosts for the visit from Commissioner Jepson and ACEDC's Alex Armani-Munn (left, second from left), including Desiree Cerretani, Associate Director of Quality, and Dave Perley, Sr., Manager of Motion Controls Engineering.
Business Support Takes to the Sky in Addison County
DED Commissioner Lyle Jepson joined with Alex Armani-Munn, Executive Director of Addison County Economic Development Corp, at a WheelPad ribbon cutting in Middlebury. The accessibility-focused nonprofit, hosted by the Counseling Service of Addison County, was celebrating the delivery of their first fully operational small home to a Vermonter with special needs.
Next up was a business visit to Simmonds Precision in Vergennes, a subsidiary of UTC Aerospace. Did you know that every plane in the sky has a Simmonds Precision component supporting its flight?!
“This expansion is not simply about adding square footage—it is about strengthening our state’s ability to compete nationally and globally while creating opportunity locally.” – ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle
Weidmann Opens New Doors in Saint Johnsbury
In late May, ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, Commissioner Lyle Jepson, Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade Tim Tierney, and a crowd of stakeholders and partners celebrated a landmark business expansion in the Northeast Kingdom. Wiedmann Electrical Technology, which manufactures high-grade insulation for electrical transformers, opened a new facility in St. Johnsbury that will support an estimated 60-70 jobs. Weidmann invested more than $40 million in the project, with help from a $15 million tax credit courtesy of Evernorth Rural Ventures, and state programs like the Vermont Economic Growth Initiative (VEGI) and the Vermont Training Program (VTP).
Ben Clark (left), owner of Ann Clark Ltd., entertains his guests at the company's manufacturing facility, including ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle and Vermont Emergency Management Director Doug Hoffman.
Capital for a Day Visits Rutland County
Friday, June 5 marked another Capital for a Day, this time in Rutland County, where Governor Scott and his cabinet leaders engaged with local community leaders, business owners, and Vermonters throughout the region. ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, DED Commissioner Lyle Jepson and Deputy Commissioner Nick Grimley were hosted by gracious town and business leaders who gave them an eye-opening, first-hand demonstration of the region's robust economic activity and potential for growth.
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HIGHLIGHT
Springfield Regional Development Corporation Creates New Employment Opportunities
The Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) drew 150 job seekers to the annual River Valley Employment Fair, held this April in Springfield, VT. SRDC has been a lead partner with multiple partner organizations including HireAbility, the Springfield School District, Vermont Department of Labor, and the River Valley Tech Center.
The Employment Fair provides an opportunity for quality local employers to connect with residents in the region. Connecting area residents to work, employment and training opportunities remains a high priority for SRDC as they work to address a historically low workforce participation rate. The Employment Fair is part of achieving SRDC’s goal of developing a stronger workforce pipeline along with offering innovative educational opportunities, such as digital literacy training. By working across all 12 regions, the RDCs of Vermont ensure that every community has a dedicated partner in economic growth.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
Windham Leadership Series
Unlock Funding Success
Thursday, June 25
11:30am-1pm
Brattleboro Elks Lodge
75 Putney Rd.
Securing funding is about strategy, alignment, and connection, not just paperwork. This session gives you a competitive advantage by letting you learn directly from the funders and get a firsthand look at what makes a proposal stand out.
REGISTER TODAY
GBIC Announces Spring 2026 Project Priorities
The Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) recently announced its project priority list for spring, 2026. This time around, there are 22 initiatives receiving a financial spotlight, ranging from water and sewer infrastructure and streetscaping to mixed-use developments and transportation upgrades. GBIC releases its project priorities twice a year, in spring and fall.
SEE THE ENTIRE LIST
OUR PROGRAMS
- Brownfields Revitalization Fund (BRF)
- Captive Insurance
- Community and Housing Infrastructure (CHIP)
- International Trade Assistance (STEP)
- Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
- Vermont APEX Accelerator
- Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI)
- Vermont Training Program (VTP)
AGENCY OF COMMERCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Vermont Department of Economic Development
1 National Life Dr
Montpelier, VT 05620-5001
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