January Mixer Collab with Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce and more!
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Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Read on for:
CEDRR Seeks Director of Economic Development | January Mixer at Tasteful Station | CEDRR Office Closed During Holidays |
Membership Spotlight | What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
CEDRR Seeks Director of Economic Development
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is seeking a Director of Economic Development. The non-profit is actively seeking a Director of Economic Development to serve as the primary driver of business and economic growth initiatives across the Rutland Region. This person will develop strategies to attract, retain, and expand businesses, manage grant and loan programs, and foster economic partnerships.
This position is a key part in carrying out CEDRR's Vision, Mission, and Goals. Anyone interested in the Director of Economic Development position with CEDRR is encouraged to apply at the link below.
CEDRR and PACC January Mixer Hosted by Tasteful Station in Poultney
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) and the Poultney Area Chamber of Commerce (PACC) are collaborating for a January Mixer hosted by Tasteful Station in Poultney.
Join us, January 13 from 5-7 p.m. to try Tasteful Station's food, network with Rutland County community members, and enter to win prizes from local businesses. Prizes include a gift certificate to Old School Bagels, a basket with jams and jellies, a gift basket from Thrall Road Maple, and more!
The restaurant is located at 28 Depot Street in Poultney, Vermont. We look forward to seeing you on January 13!
CEDRR Office Closed for Holidays
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) office will be closed so our staff can spend time with family during the holidays. We will not be here December 24-26 and December 31-January 2.
If we do not see you before December 24, we wish you happy, healthy, and safe holidays!
CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:
Boost Your Business with the CEDRR Perk Card Program
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is excited to offer its member-to-member Perk Card Program, a valuable way to get more out of your CEDRR membership. This program is designed to promote member-to-member buying, increase your business visibility, and help drive new sales.
Every member business receives one free Perk Card for each employee, giving your team the opportunity to support and patronize fellow members. Participating businesses offer special discounts on a wide variety of products and services, making it easy for everyone to save money while generating new clients.
Don't miss out! Take advantage of this program to boost your business exposure, strengthen connections within the community, and enjoy exclusive savings. To view the current Perk Card offers, click here: 2025 Perk Offers.
Interested in adding your business for 2026? Contact Dominique Winter at 802-773-2747 or dominique@rutlandeconomy.com to join today!
James T. Bowse Health Trust Announces 2026 Grant Awards
Rutland Regional Medical Center’s James T. Bowse Health Trust (BHT) committee is excited to announce new funding for three transformative projects that will strengthen the health and vitality of the Rutland region. The Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County, Rutland County Head Start, and Vermont Adult Learning have each been awarded three-year grants to launch impactful initiatives that will benefit children, families, and adults across our community. These projects directly address top priority needs identified in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment, with a strong emphasis on advancing health equity in Access to Care, Community Connection, and Community Safety. To learn more about the Community Health Needs Assessment please click here.
The Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County-Community Transportation Project will work to support children, youth, and families with access to essential services such as education, afterschool programs, and healthcare. With focus on transportation, the Boys & Girls Club will remove barriers for families and youth by coordinating additional transportation resources in our community.
Rutland County Head Start- Developmental Classroom supports existing classrooms at Head Start and Early Head Start by equipping the rooms, staff, and partners with tools to identify developmental needs early and intervene effectively. This project will increase access to interventions strengthening child health and school readiness. BHT funding will transform the pilot program into a sustainable model of early intervention.
Vermont Adult Learning- Health Works is launching a Healthcare workshop series providing insight into the wide range of career pathways in healthcare and opportunities for growth within the field. VAL students and community members across the Rutland region will connect with healthcare employers, training providers, and prospective employees to discuss current job openings, employment expectations, and the skills needed to succeed.
Vermont Welcomes 16 Million Visitors as Tourism Powers $4.2 Billion Economy
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing has announced the results of the latest study by Tourism Economics, which finds that the 16 million people who visited Vermont in 2024 spent a record $4.2 billion on goods and services. Both visitation and spending numbers statewide showed a modest increase from 2023.
According to the report, visitor spending represents 9% of Vermont’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is significantly higher than the 2023 national state average of 3%. It also found the visitor economy directly supports 31,780 jobs (10% of Vermont’s workforce), compared to the national average of 4.6%.
Direct spending by visitors in 2024 included:
- $1.5 billion for lodging
- $876 million for food and beverages
- $680 million in retail spending
- $678 million for gasoline and other transportation
- $462 million for recreation and entertainment
- $293.5 million in state and local taxes (equivalent of $1,089 per Vermont household)
This latest economic impact report also examined county-specific numbers, demonstrating increased spending in every county. Lamoille, Rutland, and Windsor counties each individually represented over 10% of statewide visitor spending. Chittenden County represented the highest share of visitor spending at 24.5%, at well over $1 billion.
Community Care Network Community Health Needs Assessment Survey Now Open
Community Care Network wants to hear from you. We are conducting a survey to better understand community needs related to mental health, substance use, developmental services, and other supports. Your feedback, whether you are a community member or someone who receives services at CCN, will help us strengthen and improve the care we provide.
The survey is anonymous and your feedback is secure. At the end of the survey you have the option of providing your name to enter into a drawing for a $50 gift card.
Surveys will remain open through Wednesday, December 17, 2025.
How is Vermont's Child Care Impacting Your Business?
In 2023, Vermont passed a child care law called Act 76, which includes over $100 million in annual public investment. The funding, which is partially paid for by a new 0.44% payroll tax, is going directly to child care programs to help them expand, and to families to help make child care more affordable. We’re in the second full year of implementation, and Building Bright Futures, the organization tasked with monitoring Vermont's child care system and policies, wants to hear from you. How is Vermont’s child care system supporting your growth as a business and supporting your workforce? Your input will be used to inform state agencies, the legislature, and other stakeholders regarding what's working and what needs improvement. Your responses will be kept confidential and anonymous, although we may quote specific excerpts without identifying you.
Hometown Grant Deadline December 31, 2025
T-Mobile is investing $25M in 500 rural towns over 5 years to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. Together, T-Mobile can help upgrade tech at local libraries, build new hiking trails, revitalize historic buildings, and so much more.
Projects that foster local connections, like technology upgrades, outdoor spaces, the arts, and community centers are eligible for funding if part of a 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or a local government. T-Mobile awards up to $50,000 for shovel-ready projects. Applicant's proposal must include plans, budget, timeline, anticipated impact, and up to five letters of support. Elected officials, town managers/employees, tribal leaders, or nonprofit community leaders from small towns with population less than 50,000 can apply.
1772 Foundation Announces 2026 Historic Preservation Matching Grants
The 1772 Foundation, in cooperation with the Preservation Trust of Vermont, has announced that funding in the form of 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 will be made available for the following historic preservation projects: exterior painting, finishes and surface restoration, fire detection/lightning protection/security systems, repairs to/restoration of porches, roofs and windows, repairs to foundations and sills, and chimney and masonry repointing.
To be eligible to apply, your building must be owned by a 501(c)(3) IRS designated non-profit. Organizations must have closed any previously awarded 1772 matching grants. Funding will NOT be provided for municipally owned buildings, schools or active churches.
Deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
The 2026 Trade Show Assistance Grant is Now Accepting Applications
Is your Vermont agriculture, food, or forestry businesses looking to expand into new markets? The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Trade Show Assistance Grant might be able to help! These matching grants provide businesses with funds to exhibit and sell their Vermont products at trade shows targeting out-of-state, wholesale buyers.
Funding can help offset the expenses associated with exhibiting at trade shows, which provide excellent opportunities to network with wholesale buyers and expand into new domestic and international markets. Applicants may include up to four trade shows in their yearly marketing plan, requesting a total of between $2,000 and $7,500 in eligible reimbursements for shows that take place between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
HOW TO APPLY
Review the entire Request for Applications
If you're new to WebGrants, submit the WebGrants Registration Form.
Submit your application via the WebGrants system
Applications will be accepted between December 5, 2025 and January 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
Please email Jennifer Porter at Jennifer.Porter@vermont.gov with any questions.
Updates and An Upcoming Event
Rutland City Police Department host Downtown Sector Meeting in Streetside.
The Hub CoWorks hosted the Rutland City Police Department’s Downtown Sector meeting on Friday, December 5 in the Streetside Conference Room. Concerned citizens and downtown business owners gathered to hear updates from the department about improvements in the downtown parking garage and other preventative measures to improve downtown safety. Just as the meeting was ending, the Casella Christmas Convoy passed by on Merchants Row, treating attendees to a glimpse at the festive light parade. We appreciate the opportunity to host conversations that are important to our community here at The Hub CoWorks.
Makers and their products at the Maker's Market in Streetside. Photos courtesy of Downtown Rutland Partnership.
The Streetside Conference Room was transformed into a pop-up Makers’ Market for the Downtown Rutland Partnership’s Jingle Bell Shop on Thursday, December 11. Five talented artists showcased their work – ranging from pottery to glass – as The Hub joined close to 30 other downtown businesses who hosted food and beverage producers and other activities. We enjoyed seeing so many people celebrating the season on a cold winter’s night!
Upcoming Event at The Hub CoWorks
Wednesday, December 17 at 12:00 pm – Financial Features – Business Credit Cards and Managing Depreciating Business Assets
Join By The Numbers, LLC and M&T Bank as they share insights around depreciating business assets and business credit cards.
Streetside Conference Room at The Hub CoWorks, 67 Merchants Row, 1st Floor, Rutland, VT 05701
Lunch will be provided. This program is free to the public, but RSVPs are required. To RSVP, click here. Support for this series is provided by the Vermont Small Business Development Center and Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region.
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.
Environmental Hydrogeologist
Otter Creek Engineering is seeking an Environmental Hydrogeologist to join their team.
District Manager
Donuts of Rutland is seeking a District Manager to join their team.
Advanced Practice RN
Community Care Network is seeking an Advanced Practice RN to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
EmpowerHR: Writing Simple, Smart Workplace Policies
December 19 | 8-9:15 AM | Online
Join SBA for this session to help you build confidence and gain clarity on writing simple, smart workplace policies.
Jodi Cordes will discuss essential policies for your business including:
- The purpose of workplace policies (protection & clarity)
- Choosing your first 2-3 core policies
- Attendance
- Harrassment Prevention
- Time off/PTO
- How to introduce policies to employees
Following the presentation, you'll have the opportunity to engage in an interactive forum where you can ask your burning HR-related questions and learn from fellow business owners who have faced similar challenges.
Women, Worth & Wealth: How Your Nervous System Shapes Your Financial Success
January 7 | 12-1:30 PM | Zoom
In this session, Money & Spiritual Life Coach Colleen Smith will break down why even highly capable women experience repeating money patterns, despite knowledge, strategy, or discipline. You’ll learn how your nervous system drives financial behavior, discover your personal “money safety set-point,” and walk away with practical tools to create more clarity, confidence, and ease in your business and financial life.
Essentials of Digital Marketing with Francesca Olsen
February 11 | 2-4 PM | Zoom
Digital marketing can be incredibly effective—and cheap—when it comes to building and connecting with your audience as an artist. But what’s important to focus on in a world where our time and capacity is limited? In this workshop, Francesca will cover the basics of digital marketing for artists, including the importance of branding, audience building, effective social media, SEO optimization and website best practices. By the end of this workshop, participants will have the tools to build an online audience, evaluate what digital platforms are best for their work, use analytics to guide future decision making, and put together a marketing plan that covers multiple platforms. This workshop will be largely lecture-based with several opportunities with Q&A to address your specific questions.
Francesca Olsen is a multidisciplinary artist, writer and consultant with more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, from branding to digital strategy.
