Thursday, September 17, 2020

Read on for:
Our Annual Meeting & Award Winners | Rental Housing Repair Funding | Worksite Wellness Resource Guide | WBON Fall Conference | National Small Business Week | Explore Rutland County | Career Hub | Events & Workshops

Join Us At Our Annual Meeting and Help Us Recognize Our Annual Award Winners

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 6:15 p.m. The event will be held drive-in style at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland and the Jack McKernon Drive-In at Estabrook Park in Brandon. The event, which will feature a pre-recorded video produced by Amanda Wheeler of Eightzero2 Productions, will be a celebration of the recent merger of Rutland Economic Development Corporation and Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce. The two organizations adopted a new name – Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region – when the merger was finalized earlier this month. The annual meeting will also celebrate Rutland County’s 27 towns and cities and the extraordinary people who work tirelessly to make our region the most collaborative, innovative, and friendly place in Vermont to live, work, play, and grow a business. The cost to attend is $25 per car, and each car will receive $25 in “Food Truck Bucks” to be used at the food truck park that evening. Space is limited; Pre-registration is required.

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region is proud to announce our annual award recipients for 2020.

Business Leader of the Year: Matt Levandowski, President & CEO – Heritage Family Credit Union

Community Leader of the Year: Nancy Greenwood, Sales Associate – Watson Realty & Associates PLC. 

Innovator of the Year: VT Terps

Our 2020 annual meeting is sponsored by Cape Air, Heritage Family Credit Union, GE-Aviation, and Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region. 

Purchase your annual meeting tickets today! → 

Funding Available for Rental Housing Repair

Landlords and property owners that have vacant, unused rental properties may be eligible to receive up to a $30,000 grant per rental unit to fix up and renovate rental units and get them ready for use again. Grants are available from the Department of Housing and Community Development utilizing CARES Act funding to improve the overall quality, availability, and affordability of rental housing throughout the state. Landlords and property owners should contact their local Neighborworks Alliance of Vermont Home Ownership Center to determine eligibility (certain affordable housing conditions apply) and to enroll in the program:

• Champlain Housing Trust (Chittenden, Franklin & Grand Isle Counties)
• Downstreet Housing (Lamoille, Orange, & Washington Counties)
• NeighborWorks of Western Vermont (Addison, Bennington, & Rutland Counties)
• RuralEdge (Caledonia, Essex, & Orleans Counties)
• Windham & Windsor Housing Trust (Windham & Windsor Counties)

Worksite Wellness Resource Guide

For much of the week, most Vermonters spend more than a third of their day at their workplace. The programs, policies, and environment at their worksite significantly influence employees' health. The Vermont Department of Health recently released a resource guide for worksites focused on supporting remote worksite wellness due to COVID-19. 

View the Supporting Remote Employees During COVID-19 Resource Guide → 

WBON Announces Fall Conference

The 2020 Women Business Owners Network (WBON) Fall Conference's theme is "Pivot to Thrive," focusing on pivoting your business to adapt to change. The conference will be presented 100% online on Wednesday, October 14. It will feature engaging speakers and workshops, as well as breakout room sessions to provide opportunities to connect and share with other attendees. The conference's keynote speaker is Jen Kimmich of Alchemist Beer. Early bird tickets ($25) are available through September 21 to WBON members only. General tickets go on sale on September 22 for $45. Register to become a WBON member and you will receive a promo code for $25 off your Fall Conference ticket.

Learn more and purchase your ticket today →

National Small Business Week Virtual Conference

National Small Business Week will be held September 22-24, 2020. The annual event is virtual this year and was rescheduled from May due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

National Small Business Week honors the nation’s small businesses, many of which are veteran, women, and minority-owned, for their achievements and dedication to their communities. This year’s National Small Business Week activities will include numerous educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as our nation’s small businesses look to pivot and recover toward a stronger economy. The event will recognize the national award winners, including the naming of this year’s National Small Business Person of the Year.

Register for The National Small Business Week Virtual Conference →

Explore Rutland County: Pittsford

Affectionately known as the Sunshine Village, the Town of Pittsford is conveniently located between Rutland and Middlebury. Situated along Otter Creek, Pittsford is home to abundant wildlife, rolling hills, and working farms.

Explore Pittsford and plan your day trip today! →

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