Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Read on for:
2021: A New Year of Opportunities | Buy Local Campaign Winner |
Come Alive Outside Winter Wellness Launch|
Better Places Pilot Program | COVID-19 Update | Explore Rutland County | Career Hub | Events & Workshops

2021: A New Year of Opportunities

A Message from the Executive Director

It has been a year of change not only in our region but across the world, with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting nearly every business sector and changing not only the way we do business but how we live. There are countless reasons why we are proud to call the Rutland Region our home.  Most importantly is the way we have come together as a community and supported one another.  An example of a positive outcome is the merger of Rutland Economic Development Corporation and the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce.  Two strong organizations have become one to more fully serve Rutland County.  The newly-minted “Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region” serves on behalf of families, communities, and businesses, which form a supportive bond.

Our 2020 Annual Report can be found on our website. As you read the report, you will see that there is a lot worth celebrating. In its pages, you will find stories that highlight our signature events, committee updates, and information about our important decision to merge the two organizations.  For a highlight of each of the towns in our County, watch our Annual Meeting movie.  You will see people that you know!

We look forward to continuing to use collaboration, creativity, and ingenuity to create a regional economic climate conducive to business growth while creating a bridge to our community and cultural organizations to promote healthy and vibrant neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in Rutland County.  As part of these efforts, we continue to recognize the need to strengthen and protect our way of life by increasing the skilled pool from which business and industry can hire employees, as well as the need to grow our tax base.  Each of these needs is the driving force behind our focus on growing our regional population.  We continue to move forward with the fifth year of the Regional Marketing Initiative, which has provided direct and positive results with an increase of more than 30 households, including more than 70 individuals, who have joined us as neighbors. We look forward to this trend continuing as Vermont leads the nation in protecting and supporting each other and our communities.  Funding for the Initiative continues to be a collaboration between municipalities, local businesses, and grant opportunities.  Visit Real Rutland for highlights of the region and learn more about our Regional Marketing Initiative.

We exist to serve your family, community, and area business & industry, which make up the three-legged stool upon which we can steadfastly rest as we admire our Region and appreciate how fortunate we are to live here.  Our work boldly continues so that we can both protect what those before us have created and so that we can pass on an even more prosperous and secure Region to those that are yet to come.

With respect,

Lyle P. Jepson - Executive Director 

Buy Local Campaign Winner!

Bianca McKeen is the winner of CEDRR'S Buy Local Campaign! On December 28, McKeen was drawn as the winner. She chose to have her $500 gift card be from The Pet Cage. 

CEDRR's Buy Local Campaign was a great success, drawing more attention to shopping small and local businesses in the Rutland County Region. We extend our gratitude to those who participated!  It is our hope that we as a community, continue to have small businesses in mind as we navigate the hardships of COVID-19.

Learn more about The Pet Cage → 

Come Alive Outside- Winter Wellness Virtual Launch

On January 6th, Come Alive Outside will be hosting a virtual launch for the Winter Wellness Passport from 12:00-12:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the Come Alive Outside program and the Rutland Wellness Cooperative. 

Contact Arwen to receive the zoom invite.

Better Places Pilot Program

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) has launched the Better Places pilot program. This program will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 that improve the vitality of state-designated downtowns, village centers, new town centers, or neighborhood development areas.

The Better Places partnership is a place-based economic development program that: 

•    Revitalizes and improves public spaces in support of local economic and community development efforts
•    Empowers residents to play an active role in shaping their communities, building social capital, and local pride
•    Supports local COVID-19 response and recovery efforts 
•    Advances “quick build” projects that boost confidence, build partnerships, and sparks momentum
•    Improves public health, reduces social isolation, and increases physical activity
•    Stimulates the creative economy and supports public art projects

Learn more about the Better Places pilot program  → 

COVID-19 Updates

Congress recently passed the use of additional COVID relief funds. Continue to visit the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development website to learn about COVID relief funds and tune into weekly state webinars.

Learn more about resources for businesses regarding COVID-19→ 

Thank you to our new members!

Spotlight your business today. Become a CEDRR member!

CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:

Antique Mansion B & B | Ault Commercial Realty, Inc. | Bennington Furniture | East Creek Catering | Farrell Distributing | Formula Ford Lincoln Mercury | Green Mountain Power | GSM Property, LLC | HR Acquired | Roots the Restaurant | Rutland County Agricultural Society, Inc. | Rutland Redevelopment Authority | Rutland Rotary South | Seward & Associates PLC | Sharon Stearns CPA PLLC | TD Bank, N.A. | The Bakery | The Belden Company, Inc. | The Mentor Connector | Town of Killington | Town of Pittsford | Tuttle Publishing | Two Bad Cats, LLC | Vermont Adult Learning

Explore Rutland County: Fair Haven

The Town of Fair Haven is widely regarded as the slate capital of the United States. Located in the southwestern part of the county where the Taconic Mountains meet the Champlain Valley, Fair Haven is home to a number of slate quarries, an industry that continues to thrive today.

Fair Haven has a charming downtown and business district, featuring several shops, restaurants, and the historic Village Green. The Green is the quintessential community space, hosting concerts and festivals in the warmer months. The Village Green is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Take a walk around the Village Green to be inspired by outstanding examples of Victorian architecture, including the Marble Mansion Inn.

Explore Fair Haven → 

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region's Career Hub features full-time jobs across Rutland County that provide a salary higher than the Vermont living wage.