CEDRR December Mixer Save the Date
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Tuesday, November 18, 2025
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Grace Potter Rocks Real Rutland | CEDRR December Mixer |
Membership Spotlight | What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
Grace Potter wears our Real Rutland hat in the CEDRR office.
Grace Potter Rocks Real Rutland
Last week, Grace Potter's Grand Point Foundation was in The Hub CoWorks for a symposium. Before the rockstar left, she supported Real Rutland by making one of our hats hers. We think it looks great!
If you are interested in a hat, vest, sweatshirt, or other accessories stop by our office, 67 Merchants Row in Downtown Rutland. We have these items available for purchase.
Learn more about our Regional Marketing Initiative: Real Rutland →
CEDRR December Mixer Hosted by HFCU
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) December Mixer will be hosted by Heritage Family Credit Union (HFCU) at the Ron Hance Operations Center on December 9 from 5-7 p.m.
This holiday mixer is always well attended. Save the date and be on the lookout for more details soon!
CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:
Two Events for Members in December
Save the date for The Workforce in Motion Breakfast: Moving from Planning to Progress breakfast at Southside Steakhouse on December 4, from 7:30-9:00 a.m.
Join us for a power-packed breakfast bringing together Rutland County's top employers. Hear more about how paid training programs are helping businesses like yours build the workforce of tomorrow.
Do You Offer Your Employees Dental and Vision Insurance?
Learn About the VACE+ Insurance Program and Take Advantage of This Great Benefit for CEDRR Members! We are excited to invite you to an upcoming Informational Session highlighting the VACE+ Insurance Program, an exclusive benefit available to all CEDRR members.
The VACE+ Insurance Program offers access to high-quality, competitively priced employee benefits designed to meet the needs of small & medium-sized businesses and sole proprietors. Whether you’re offering benefits for the first time or looking to expand your current program, VACE+ provides a streamlined way to deliver value to your employees while helping you attract and retain top talent.
Session Details:
Date: Thursday, December 11
Time: 5–6 p.m.
Location: Casella Conference Room – The Hub CoWorks – 67 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701
What You’ll Learn:
Overview of the VACE+ program and how it benefits CEDRR members
Current offerings including Dental and Vision Plans
Additional plans, such as:
Life Insurance (Term & Whole Life)
Accident Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Pet Insurance (with a 15% discount and a unique CEDRR landing page)
This is a great opportunity to learn how you can enhance your employee benefits package with options that are both affordable and designed with our members in mind.
Please RSVP by Monday, December 8, to Chrispin White at chrispin@rutlandeconomy.com.
We hope you will join us to discover how the VACE+ Insurance Program can add value to your business and your employees. For more detailed information about all of the offerings, please click on the following link: VACE Insurance – Providing Vermont businesses with voluntary benefit options for their employees.
Killington Pico Ski Resort Partners, LLC.
Killington First in the Eastern U.S. to Open for the 2025/26 Winter Season
Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, opened for the 2025/26 winter season November 12, at 9 a.m.
This marks the resort’s second winter under independent ownership, following two years of significant reinvestment totaling more than $60 million in completed and ongoing mountain improvements. Once again, Killington will be the first resort in the Eastern United States to open for skiing and riding, reaffirming its leadership as “The Beast of the East.”
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports' Local Impact and Film Festival This Weekend
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. They promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities regardless of ability to pay.
During the winter 2024-2025 there were 3,746 lessons, 10,712.5 hours of volunteering, 25 jobs supported, $754,299 total tax impacts, and $3,588,848 total economic impact to the Vermont economy. See the entire economic impact graphic below the links.
This Saturday, November 22, First Stop Board Barn will host a Ski & Snowboard Film Festival at The Paramount Theatre. Net proceeds will benefit Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports. Last year's show drew over 175 guests, this year's festival is expected to welcome more than 500 attendees for an unforgettable night celebrating the spirit of mountain life — featuring high-energy ski and snowboard films, raffle prizes, giveaways, and community connection.
Event
Details:
Paramount Theater, Rutland, VT
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Doors open at 6 PM / Show starts at 7 PM
6 Films • Cash Bar • Rad Prizes
Each ticket holder can sign up upon entry to receive one free raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes from the in-kind sponsors: Arcade, Burton, Darn Tough, Helly Hansen, Hestra, Oakley, Salomon, Skida, Smartwool, and more.
Read more about Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports →
Buy tickets for the First Stop Ski & Snowboard Film Festival →
Poultney Kicks Off Holiday Season with Two-Day Small Business Tour
The Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of the inaugural Holiday Tour, a festive two-day event designed to support local chamber members while bringing holiday cheer to the community. The Tour kicks off on Small Business Saturday, November 29th, and continues through Sunday, November 30th. Participating businesses in downtown and East Poultney will offer special sales, unique giveaways, and family-friendly activities, with each day culminating in a special evening closing event to maximize the holiday spirit.
Rutland City LHMP Approved by FEMA
From our partners at the Rutland Regional Planning Commission: we are excited to announce a major milestone for the City of Rutland! The 2025 Rutland City Local Hazard Mitigation Plan received formal approval from FEMA on October 23, 2025, and will remain effective until October 22, 2030.
You can access the FEMA-approved Plan at https://tinyurl.com/rutlandlhmp25 until December 19. After this date, the project page will be retired, and the Plan will be housed at the Rutland City Fire Department and on the RRPC website.
On behalf of the local Planning Team, we want to thank those who contributed to the Plan update and anyone who may be interested in reviewing the City’s mitigation progress in the future.
RCHS Playground Project Team (left to right): Shawn Moore, CCN Facilities Manager; Missy Burke, RCHS Education Manager; Randy Crossman, CCN Facilities Director. Courtesy of Rutland County Head Start.
Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start Unveil State-of-the-Art Playground
Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start are pleased to announce the opening of a new state-of-the-art playground at its Meadow Street location. This exciting project marks the first time the program has received dedicated funding to enhance its outdoor play environment, made possible through one-time support from the Office of Head Start.
“We’re thrilled to see this beautiful new playground come to life,” said Dick Courcelle, Chief Executive Officer of Community Care Network, which oversees Rutland County Head Start and Early Head Start. “It’s more than a play space—it’s a place where children will grow, imagine, and build foundational skills for lifelong learning and wellness.”
The playground represents a collaborative effort between Community Care Network’s finance and facilities departments, program leadership, and early childhood experts.
Tom DeMatties, Poultney Area Chamber's Citizen of the Year.
Poultney Area Chamber Names Tom DeMatties as Citizen of the Year
Tom DeMatties, a math and science teacher at Castleton Elementary School in Bomoseen, has been named Poultney’s Citizen of the Year for 2025 by the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce.
"Poultney has so many wonderful people who are willing to give their time and energy to the betterment of the community," said Chamber President Elizabeth Ayers. "This year, we are especially proud to recognize Tom DeMatties, whose passionate commitment to intergenerational service and local stewardship truly defines the spirit of a model citizen."
Busy Week at The Hub CoWorks
The Hub CoWorks has welcomed over 300 people into our space in the last two weeks – for conferences, fundraisers, board meetings, training sessions, mixers and more! Here’s a look at some of the recent highlights:
Vermont State Treasurer Mike Pieciak delivers the welcome remarks at the 2025 Making a Difference & Making a Living Conference.
Keynote Speaker Kevin Chu, Executive Director of the Vermont Futures Project, speaks at the 2025 Making a Difference & Making a Living Conference.
Making a Difference and Making a Living Conference
Around 75 people attended the first-annual Making a Difference and Making a Living (MADMAL) Conference on Thursday, November 6 - ranging from high school students to lifelong learners. This full-day, hybrid conference was supported by the Vermont State College System’s Chancellor’s Innovation Fund in partnership with Community College of Vermont, Vermont State University and the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region. Presentations were delivered by prominent Vermont business leaders - eight of them alumni of the Vermont State College System – who shared insights on how higher education shaped their careers and opened doors to opportunities along the way.
The day’s ten sessions took place across The Hub’s Streetside Conference Room and both the Killington and Casella Learning Labs. The Opera House Community Workspace was opened to the attendees for opening remarks as well as gathering for breakfast and lunch. The technology in our conference rooms allowed as many as 70 more individuals to attend virtually from across the state of Vermont.
We appreciate the opportunity to host this powerful event and look forward to seeing how it grows in the future.
Read more about the MADMAL conference in the Rutland Herald.
Matt Britt, Community Growth Manager of The Hub CoWorks is interviewed.
The Hub CoWorks featured on NBC5
In preparation for the November Mixer of Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region - held at The Hub CoWorks on November 11, 2025 – The Hub CoWorks was featured on NBC5 (WPTZ) during their 5:30pm broadcast on 11/10.
The Hub CoWorks is putting the finishing touches on some construction improvements in the Opera House community workspace – to improve acoustics and provide shape to hot desk areas. New offices were also recently constructed, increasing the capacity for regular office tenants in our 24,000 square foot space.
If you have not visited The Hub CoWorks in a while, we welcome you to come in and see the improvements!
Representatives from VFW Post 648 with Vermont State Senator Brian Collamore and Vermont State Representative Thomas Burditt.
Attendees gather together at the November CEDRR Mixer at The Hub CoWorks.
The Hub CoWorks Celebrates a Milestone
The Hub CoWorks marks three years of supporting the Rutland community this month. To highlight the evolution of the space, we held a "Grand Reopening” at the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) mixer on Tuesday, November 11. This mixer welcomed over 100 guests into The Hub CoWorks to tour the multi-faceted space and see our recent upgrades. Rutland Beer Works was on-hand with samples, and food was provided by Trio Community Meals and the Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill at Killington Resort. Cammy Errington performed a wide range of songs in the one-time Ripley Opera House, which now makes up The Hub’s Community Workspace, while painter Carrie Pill brought a work-in-progress painting of Killington Mountain into one of The Hub’s art studios to add some finishing touches. Clover Exploration set up activities, transforming one of the few offices still available for rent at The Hub into a place where children could play for the evening, and gave parents the opportunity to make connections in the community.
As this mixer was held on Veterans Day, representatives from Rutland County VFW Post 648 set up a Table for One to honor Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. Tom Rounds from the VFW shared the significance of the table with those in attendance and proceeds from the 50/50 Raffle were donated to the VFW.
The Hub CoWorks has spent much of 2025, collaborating with a volunteer committee to evaluate strengths and areas for improvements in the space, and creating an action plan to make adjustments. Working with owner Mark Foley and Robert Black, an architect and artist who rents an office at The Hub, plans were created to construct partial walls within the Opera House. These walls help to create a “neighborhood” for coworking hot desks, and contain insulation to help with acoustics. Acoustic panels have also been installed on parts of the ceiling to further help with sound-dampening. We are grateful to MKF Properties and their construction team for their hard work and support in turning these ideas into reality.
Grace Potter performs an impromptu song at the Grand Point Foundation’s Arts Community Symposium.
Grand Point Foundation’s Arts Community Symposium
We were grateful for the opportunity to host the Grand Point Foundation on Thursday, November 13 for their Arts Community Symposium.
Around 20 arts and creative leaders from across the state of Vermont – plus some guests from across the country - met up in the Streetside Conference Room to make connections, gain insights, share ideas, and create and piece together a puzzle around how artists can support one another. The group also took a tour around the Opera House community workspace and podcast room.
President of Grand Point’s Board of Directors - Vermont’s own GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Grace Potter – kicked off the afternoon’s conversation, created an impromptu song from words shared by the attendees, and she even took a Real Rutland beanie for the road!
Upcoming Events at The Hub CoWorks
Financial Features – Identity Theft, Common Scams and Fraud
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Streetside Conference Room at The Hub CoWorks, 67 Merchants Row
Join us in the Streetside Conference Room at The Hub CoWorks on Wednesday, November 19 at noon, as M&T Bank shares information on how to keep an eye out for common scams and fraud and protect yourself against identity theft.
Lunch will be provided. Our Financial Features series is free to the public, but registrations are required. To RSVP, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1858359064989
Jingle Bell Shop
Thursday, December 11, 2025 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Streetside Conference Room at The Hub CoWorks, 67 Merchants Row
The Hub CoWorks will host a Maker’s Market in the Streetside Conference Room as a stop on this year’s Jingle Bell Shop coordinated by the Downtown Rutland Partnership. The Hub will also serve as a check-in spot on Merchants Row, where shoppers can pick up their bags and tasting glasses.
Upcoming Events at The MINT Makerspace
At The MINT, we welcome folks of all ages and orientations to gather, make, play, and build community. We are so excited to highlight our classes we have upcoming for the next few weeks.
Holiday Mug Making
Class date: November 16th
Come get yourself into the holiday spirit by making some festive mugs! We will employ several techniques to create some beautiful mugs. These will be fantastic gifts for the season.
Fused Glass Ornaments
Class date: November 22nd
Fused glass ornaments are great small pieces of art to decorate any holiday tree or for gift giving. In this class you will make holiday tree ornaments based on my custom ornament template in glimmering Coe 90 glass.
The Joy of Letterpress
Class date: December 3rd
A hands on class to learn the process of letterpress printing. Attendees will be guided through the entire process of planning, preparing a chase with printing blocks, setting up a table top press, inking up a press, and making prints.
Mosaic Christmas Trees
Class date: December 5th
Let's play with shapes, tile, glass, and grout!
Pottery Teapot Class
Class date: February 8th
This intermediate pottery class is a TEA-riffic class for learning the art of teapot making.
Pottery Intro Bootcamp
Class date: February 21st
New to the wheel or need a refresher? This class is perfect for pottery beginners looking to learn a new skill and create something beautiful!
The 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.
Post Permanency Services Coordinator
Easterseals Vermont is seeking a Post Permanency Services Coordinator to join their team.
Senior Project Engineer
Otter Creek Engineering is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join their team.
Intake Support Specialist
Homeless Prevention Center is seeking an Intake Support Specialist to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
Starting Your Own Business with VtSBDC
November 19, December 3 and 10 | 10-11:15 AM
Starting your own business can be challenging, especially for first-time business owners. If you’re ready to explore turning your idea into a real business opportunity, then this is the presentation for you.
By joining this 75-minute workshop, you’ll gain a basic overview of starting your own business including some practical tips/steps.
- How to evaluate if there is a viable business opportunity in your idea
- What makes your business unique? Creating your value proposition.
- Testing your idea. Learn about the Business Model Canvas and how to use it.
- Registrations and initial legal questions.
- Basics of financials and how to calculate what you’ll need to get started.
You’ll have an opportunity to have some of your burning questions answered by our VtSBDC Business Advisors giving the presentation. Following the session, you’ll leave with next steps to consider, and you will receive a copy of the program along with many resources to turn to for guidance!
Certifications Huddles
November 20 | 11 AM-12:30 PM
This session is exclusively offered to entrepreneurs who have an established business (registered and making sales for at least one year), and who are actively applying for WBENC certification. Join us to get your questions answered about the world of certifications, and general how-to information about the WBENC application! You can use this time to work on the application and ask questions as they arise, and/or you can come with questions that you have about the application and get them answered!
How to Submit an Award-Winning National Small Business Week Package
November 24 | 9-10 AM | Online
In this one-hour webinar, you’ll discover the steps to submit yourself or your favorite small business for a National or District award.
Do you or someone you know have what it takes to be named America’s “Small Business Person of the Year” for 2026? If so, we invite you to join our nomination info session to learn how you can be part of this prestigious recognition.
In this one-hour webinar, you’ll discover the steps to submit yourself or your favorite small business for a National or District award under various categories. Our team will guide you through the application process, ensuring you have all the tools and knowledge to submit a completed package successfully.
Why Attend?
- Learn about the different award categories
- Get tips on how to complete a successful application
- Understand the timeline and key dates for the submission process
- Have your questions answered by SBA experts
The journey to winning begins with a submission. Don’t miss this opportunity to spotlight your business or an outstanding small business making a difference in the community.
