No images? Click here
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Read on for:
CEDRR Receives EDA Grant | RDCs Named Efficiency Vermont's Partner of the Year | CEDRR Mixer Tonight | CEDRR Annual Meeting and The Hub CoWorks Grand Opening Next Month
What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT |
Membership Spotlight | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
The Hub CoWorks on Merchants Row in Downtown Rutland.
CEDRR Awarded Over $1.4 Million
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) will be awarded $1,492,687 in federal grants and matching dollars to support local entrepreneurship and innovation.
It was announced Wednesday, October 5, that CEDRR has secured a Venture Challenge grant via the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build to Scale (B2S) program. CEDRR worked with the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) to apply for this grant as part of CORI’s 2022 Rural Innovation Initiative, a technical assistance program empowering rural communities to create inclusive digital economies that support scalable entrepreneurship and tech job creation.
With the $1,492,687 provided by the Venture Challenge grant and matching funds, Rutland plans to launch Rutland’s Tech Startup Incubator to inspire a regional culture and community of tech innovation, create and implement a scalable technology support program, and develop a mentor and investor network providing tech entrepreneurs the human and financial capital needed to grow and scale their businesses.
October Mixer Tonight
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region's (CEDRR) October Mixer will be hosted by Allen Pools & Spas tonight from 5:00-7:00 PM at 1901 Route 4 in Mendon.
Food and drinks will be provided by Still on the Mountain - Killington Distillery. Live music will be brought to us by Aaron Audet. There will be raffles for baskets and local products, plus ticket sales for your chance to win a hot tub!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, proceeds from Allen Pools & Spas' raffle will be donated to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. We ask for people to bring even more awareness by wearing pink to the event!
Tyler Richardson, Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region's Operations Director, represents one of the twelve Regional Development Corporations of Vermont.
Regional Development Corporations of Vermont named Efficiency Vermont's Partner of the Year
Efficiency Vermont is honoring seven energy leaders to celebrate their efforts in substantial investments in energy efficiency over the past year.
The Regional Development Corporations of Vermont was named Partner of the Year. In the fall of 2021, the state's twelve Regional Development Corporations (RDCs) helped identify key local businesses that could benefit from energy efficiency improvements and connected them with Efficiency Vermont energy consultants. All told, 159 Vermont businesses received support (approximately $2.5 million in incentives and technical support) through this initiative with 85 percent of the projects now completed. This partnership will save businesses a combined $285,000 per year.
Save the Date: November 14 is The Hub CoWorks' Grand Opening and CEDRR's Annual Meeting
Join the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) on November 14 from 5:00-7:00 PM at The Hub CoWorks located at 67 Merchants Row in Downtown Rutland.
From 5:00-6:00 PM tour The Hub CoWorks, Rutland's newest co-working space, enjoy live music, appetizers and a cash bar.
Between 6:00 and 6:30 PM, the CEDRR Annual Meeting will take place which includes an Awards Ceremony, special guest speakers, and The Hub CoWorks Ribbon Cutting.
Tours of The Hub CoWorks will continue after the Annual Meeting until 7:00 PM.
NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner Opportunities
Each year, every branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) holds a fundraising dinner. The Freedom Fund Dinner was founded in 1956, during a time of renewed national hope and determination for Black Americans, even in the face of continuing racial violence and tragedy. Today, the tradition continues, because the fight continues.
The Rutland Area Branch maintains this tradition, and is excited to be hosting an in-person, formal dinner event again this year! After the success of their 2019 dinner and virtual event last year, the capacity has increased to 300 for this year's event and is expected to be sold out. The Rutland Area Branch has one of the highest memberships in the New England area. This dinner features inspirational speakers, including dynamic keynote speaker Bor Yang, the Executive Director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission.
The NAACP Rutland Area Branch is seeking sponsors for the event. For those who can contribute there are five levels of sponsorship. For others who would like to give, but do not have the fund for a sponsorship, the NAACP Rutland Area Branch is accepting in-kind donations for the raffle that evening.
Click here for more information about sponsorships and donating →
Community Care Network-Rutland Mental Health Services Awarded SAMHSA Grant to Become Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic
Community Care Network’s Rutland Mental Health Services has been awarded a multi-year Planning, Development and Implementation grant from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).
The four-year, $3.9 million grant to Rutland Mental Health Services begins October 1. The CCBHC-PDI grant program is designed to support behavioral health care providers with planning and support to come into compliance with the CCBHC Certification Criteria within one year of participating in the CCBHC-PDI program.
Vermont's Rising Stars Class of 2022 courtesy of VermontBiz.
Five Rutland County Young Professionals Named as VermontBiz Rising Stars
Out of over 100 nominations, 40 leaders under the age of 40 were chosen as Vermont's Rising Stars Class of 2022 and five of them are from Rutland County. The winners were selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities.
Jamie Lee (38) of Poultney, Founder of j elevate, Inc.
Danielle Monroe (39) of Mendon, Executive Director of Wonderfeet Kids' Museum
Caitlin Perry (36) of Rutland, Financial Advisor at UBS Financial Services Inc.
Jim Sabataso (39) of Rutland, News Editor of the Rutland Herald
Jessica Stannard (26) of Fair Haven, Owner and Director of The Places You'll Grow Childcare and Preschool
Buildings along Merchants Row in Downtown Rutland.
Six Rutland County Towns Awarded Downtown and Village Center Tax Incentives
Vermont's Governor Phil Scott and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) announced over $4 million in funding to support a record number of rehabilitation and revitalization projects throughout Vermont’s designated downtown and village centers.
Of the 49 project awards, seven have been awarded to Rutland County towns, two in Brandon, one in Castleton, one in Poultney, one in Proctor, one in Rutland, and one in Wallingford. In total, all awards will help generate over $95 million in building improvements and public infrastructure around the state.
Courtesy of the Rutland Recreation & Parks Department
Main Street Project Site Plan Survey
The City of Rutland, Recreation and Parks Department is excited to move forward with the Main Street Park Project. They are currently seeking feedback from the community on the three site plan options.
Site plan option visuals are included in the survey, larger visuals of the site plans can be seen in person at the Rutland Rec Community Center, 134 Community Drive, and the Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street, during our regular operating hours.
Godnick Adult Center: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM-4:30 PM
Rutland Rec Community Center: Monday-Friday: 6:00 AM-8:00 PM and Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 AM-3:00 PM.
Former College of St. Joseph (CSJ), photo courtesy of CSJ.
Casella Buys Part of the Former College of St. Joseph
Part of the former College of St. Joseph (CSJ) campus in Rutland will be purchased by Casella Waste Systems.
Heritage Family Credit Union, holders of the campus' mortgage, signed a purchase and sale agreement with Casella Waste Systems in September. Once the sale is finalized, Casella Waste Systems plans to use four buildings on the Eastern side of campus to create additional offices and a centralized training center at the campus to support the company’s development plans. The company is also considering building short-term employee housing on the former campus.
Calling all Women-Owned Businesses in Vermont
The Vermont Women's Fund is inviting female entrepreneurs to be a Feature Friday for their initiative, This Way UP: there’s power in our numbers. This Way UP was developed in response to the lack of missing data on women-owned businesses in Vermont. By capturing your story, we hope to encourage other women in their entrepreneurship endeavors and share in their stories too. Below you will find instructions on how to submit your Feature Friday story, as always if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out!
- Send us a high resolution 2-3 minute video answering the following questions
- Tell us a little about yourself in just a few sentences (who are you? where are you from? where do you live in Vermont?)
- Tell us a little about your business in just a few sentences (what do you do for your business? What was the inspiration for your business?)
- What's your favorite part about having your business and making money your own way?
- What do you think makes your business / your hustle a unique story? / what might surprise people to learn about you and your business?
You can submit your response to thiswayupvt@gmail.com.
Free Energy Visit from Efficiency Vermont
Efficiency Vermont is offering free on-site energy visits to all Vermont businesses. These consultations give businesses access to rebate offers, financing solutions, and technical advice. The result: lower energy costs and a more resilient business.
Sign up for your business energy walkthrough to get:
- A clear understanding of what systems are wasting energy and money.
- Financial incentives on products including lighting, HVAC, weatherization, renovation, and more. Customized incentives and flexible financing options are available to suit your business needs.
- Objective recommendations and direct access to your energy consultant for future project needs or questions.
Events at The MINT This October and November
We are very excited to announce that The MINT is popping-up downtown this holiday season. The PepperMINT Pop-Up Makerspace and Retail Shop will reside at 53 Merchants Row starting in November. We are psyched to be a part of the Downtown Rutland Partnership’s Sip + Shop event on November 3. Stay tuned for more details and updates in the coming weeks.
On Wednesday, October 12, Bee Richter is back in the Textile Lab with Mend, Hem, & Sew. This is a new class offering focused on mitigating the habits of “Fast Fashion”.
Does your favorite T-shirt have a hole or a busted seam? Did your best dress or tank top break a strap? Have a pair of pants you'd like to learn to hem? Come to The MINT and learn how to use a sewing machine and quickly fix, hem and modify all your favorite fashion pieces!!
On Wednesday, October 19, Tom Lichtman will be in the Letterpress Studio making blocks for printing your own custom designs. We have loads of blocks to choose from for inking and printing… but in this class, you learn how to make a block from scratch.
Build it at the Boiler Saturdays are back! Tiffany Martin is offering a 4-week ceramics class for youth. Simple Gifts From Clay will start Saturday, November 5. There are two sessions: one for youth ages 3-5 and one for youth ages 6-11.
Welcome to Our New Members
Dominic Stilwell is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. He grew up in Vermont and enjoys the vibrant and beautiful life that only this state can offer. Dominic graduated from Castleton University in 2018, with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and as a member of the Business Honor Society, Sigma Beta Delta.
Nate hired Lisa to be his sous chef at a resort in the Green Mountains of Vermont on Valentine's Day, 2006. Their paths separated and their culinary careers twisted and turned. By the time they moved in together on Valentine's Day 2020, they were certain that one day, their love and passion for delicious food and each other would lead to opening a business together. This dream was manifested in April 2021, when Marble Valley Catering was born in the kitchen of their home in Proctor, VT. In January 2022, Nate purchased the former Killington Avenue Deli in Rutland to become the new home base for Marble Valley Catering.
The couple is cooking up Thanksgiving side dishes that folks can order ahead of time here.
CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:
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.
Natural Resources & Forestry Instructor
Stafford Technical Center is seeking a Natural Resources & Forestry Instructor to join their team.
Human Resources Business Partner - Compensation and Benefits
Community Care Network is seeking a Human Resources Business Partner - Compensation and Benefits to join their team.
Maintenance Technician
The Housing Trust of Rutland County is seeking a Maintenance Technician to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
Representation Matters
OCTOBER 11 | 10:00 AM
*Featuring a Rutland County Business Owner*
Hear from small businesses lived experiences and learn from their opportunities, challenges and advice during a webinar this morning.
The panel of Vermont business owners represent a spectrum of backgrounds and industries. Vermont Small Business Development Center hopes people see themselves in their lived experiences and learn from their opportunities, challenges, and advice to become the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Panel of business owners include:
• Moderator & Host: Juan Adorno, Principal, JPX Social Enterprise
• Akshata Nayak, Founder, Little Patakha
• Alex Hilliard, Owner/Coach, VT AthletaFit
• Kevin Chu, Co-Founder, Sprinticity Athletics
• Peter Lewis, Founder, WorldCast Live
• Prince Awhaitey, Owner, Healthy Kingdom
Critical Conversations: The Future of Tourism in Vermont
OCTOBER 14 | 4:00-6:00 PM | BENNINGTON MUSEUM
Tourism brings nearly $3.0 billion to the Vermont economy each year, but what is the future of the industry? Will factors such as climate change, corporatization of agriculture, or other national and global events have an impact? Panelists will discuss the changes the COVID-19 pandemic brought to the state and share their predictions about the future of this important Vermont industry.
Panelists include:
Molly Mahar, President of Ski Vermont
Nathan McKeen, Director of State Parks, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Heather Pelham, Commissioner of Vermont Department of Tourism
Amy Spear, Vice President of Tourism, Vermont Chamber of Commerce
Steps To Start Your Business
OCTOBER 15 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
If you are planning to start a business or are in the early stages of launching one, then this workshop is for you.
In this workshop, you will learn to:
- Develop your business ideas and planning
- Consider your legal structure
- Discuss choosing a name and entity
- How to obtain an employer identification number, licenses, permits and insurance
Leave the session with an A-to-Z overview and specific tools and tips that will help you get started quickly.
