Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Read on for:
CEDRR Annual Celebration on October 8 | 5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival Thank You | Cavacas Associates Ribbon Cutting on Sept. 18 | Spring Lake Ranch Ribbon Cutting on Sept. 26 | Membership Spotlight | CEDRR Member Benefits | What's New in Rutland County | Economic Development News & Opportunities | Real Rutland Concierge Program | The Hub CoWorks | Career Hub | Upcoming Events

CEDRR Annual Celebration on October 8

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) will host its Annual Celebration on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, at the Casella Theater on the Vermont State University Castleton Campus. This signature celebration will honor the leaders, entrepreneurs, volunteers and members who help to strengthen our region.

Enjoy live music, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, and the presentation of the 2026 CEDRR Annual Awards:

• Community Leader of the Year
• Entrepreneur of the Year
• Young Professional of the Year
• CEDRR Volunteer of the Year
• CEDRR Member of the Year

Please RSVP by visiting this link and join us in celebrating the outstanding leaders, businesses, professionals, volunteers, and members making a difference throughout the Rutland region.

Learn More About CEDRR Events →

Photo from the 2026 Whoopie Pie Festival in Downtown Rutland.

5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival Thank You

CEDRR would like to extend a huge thank you to all the sponsors, bakers, vendors, performers, staff, community partners, volunteers, judges, and attendees who helped to make the 5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival a day to remember.

We were pleased to present the Overall Best Award to Chloe Parry of Sweet Birch Coffee Roasters and Bakery and the People’s Choice to Holly Bromley of The Gettin’ Place. Many of our 13 bakers reported that they sold out of all their samples, and that this year’s festival was the busiest one yet!

A special thank you goes to Casella Waste Systems, our Premier Sponsor. We look forward to seeing you next September for the 2027 Whoopie Pie Festival!

Learn More About the Whoopie Pie Festival →

Cavacas Associates Ribbon Cutting on September 18

Cavacas Associates, serving the Rutland Region with tax preparation, business planning, and bookkeeping services since 1984, has moved to a new office location at 4 General Wing Road, Suite 2.

Please join us on Friday, September 18 at 3:00 PM for a ribbon cutting to celebrate this milestone and see the new office.

Learn More About Cavacas Associates →

Spring Lake Ranch Ribbon Cutting on September 26

Join Spring Lake Ranch (SLR) to celebrate the grand opening of the new Banks Transitional Living Program (BTLP) on Saturday, September 26th, from 3:00-5:00 PM at 50 Griffin Way, Shrewsbury, VT 05738. This marks a significant expansion for the Ranch, which has provided residential mental health treatment in Shrewsbury, VT since 1932.

Our core Ranch program offers a holistic approach to mental health by combining clinical care with daily farm-based activities, outdoor recreation, and supportive relationships. While many residents discharge from the Ranch Program directly, about 20% need additional step-down support before living on their own. At the new BTLP, residents can ease into independent living and receive individualized assistance including vocational counseling, life skills development, and nutrition support. With generous support from the Bob J. & Jennifer J. Banks Family Foundation, new housing and a community center have been constructed on the Spring Lake Ranch campus to house the program.

The grand opening celebration will take place in the newly built community center with live music and great food prepared by SLR staff and residents.

The ribbon cutting and speeches will take place at 3:30.

Learn More About Spring Lake Ranch →

CEDRR Would Like to Thank the Following Business for Renewing Their Membership:

HireAbility

CEDRR Perk Card Benefits

Everybody loves a deal! Our extremely popular Membership Perk Card is one of the most widely-used and highly-valued benefits of being a member of Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region. All member businesses receive one free Perk Card for every member of their organization.

This Week’s Highlighted Deals:

Rutland Appliances - Free appliance accessories (hoses, cords, venting) with purchase. Free delivery, plus 18-month interest-free financing to perk members.

Speakeasy Café - 20% discount for Perk Card holders.

Want to Offer a Deal to Thousands of Perk Cardholders? Email us with the Perk you would like to offer!

Learn More About CEDRR Membership Benefits →

Pittsford Village Farm Ribbon Cutting on September 17

Pittsford Village Farm will be holding a ribbon cutting at 42 Elm St. in Pittsford for their newly renovated farmhouse - along with a dedication of Breda's Place - on Thursday, September 17 at 5:00 PM. Please email info@pittsfordvillagefarm.org to RSVP.

Learn More About Pittsford Village Farm →

Cornerstone Housing Partners to Host First Annual Housing Solutions Expo on September 19

Cornerstone Housing Partners is excited to invite community members to their first annual Housing Solutions Expo on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Rutland Recreation Community Center, 134 Community Drive, Rutland. The event’s presenting sponsor is Heritage Family Credit Union.

The Housing Solutions Expo is a free community event designed to connect area residents with local housing resources, education, and support services.

Cornerstone Housing Partners believes that everyone deserves a safe and healthy place to call home. The Housing Solutions Expo brings together housing professionals, nonprofit organizations, financial institutions, and service providers to help individuals and families navigate housing opportunities and overcome housing-related challenges.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with vendors offering information and assistance in areas including:

• Rental assistance and support services
• Homebuyer and renter education
• Services for senior citizens
• Fuel and utility assistance
• Homelessness prevention services
• Home and rental repair services
• Lending and mortgage resources
• Realtor services

The Expo will also feature free educational breakout sessions covering topics such as:

• Homebuyer Education and Shared Equity
• Rentals/Renting 101
• Post-Purchase & Home Repair

Whether someone is renting, buying their first home, seeking financial assistance, looking for home repair resources, or simply exploring available housing programs, the Housing Solutions Expo offers valuable information and connections for every stage of the housing journey.

For more information, visit CornerstoneHousingPartners.org/HousingExpo.

Learn More About Cornerstone Housing Partners →

Rutland & Hanamaki 40th Anniversary Community Event on October 7

The City of Rutland is proud to announce the 40th Anniversary Celebration of its Sister City partnership with Hanamaki, Japan. To honor this historic milestone, a delegation of Hanamaki City officials and citizens, including members of the Ishidoriya Friendship Association, will arrive in Rutland on October 7, 2026, for a three-day cultural exchange and commemoration.

Please join us for a Community Welcome Mixer to celebrate 40 years of this partnership.

• When: Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: The Hub, 67 Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701
• Details: Sponsored by The Hub and Foley Services. This event is open to all Rutland-area community members, civic organizations, and cultural groups. Past RISE program participants, families, and chaperones are strongly encouraged to attend.

The 40th Anniversary events are made possible through the generous support of the City of Rutland, Foley Services, MKF Properties, The Hub, CEDRR, and Killington Resort. The organizing team is welcoming additional donations, segment sponsorships for the October visit, and ongoing financial support to secure the future of this vital community exchange program.

To get involved as a volunteer or sponsor, please reach out to The Friends of Hanamaki committee via email at friendsofhanamaki@gmail.com.

Learn More About the Rutland-Hanamaki Community Welcome Mixer →

Rutland Downtown Plaza Community Forum on October 15

You are invited to join us for a community forum around the Rutland Downtown Plaza.

Thursday, October 15, 5:30 PM
WIM Streetside Conference Center at The Hub CoWorks
67 Merchants Row, First Floor, Downtown Rutland

This session will review where we have been, where we are today, and our vision for the future. There will also be time for public questions and comments.

Come learn about the TIF district and hear about the work that has already been accomplished. Be part of the conversation as we help to envision our future!

Eric Rusch and Scott Harrison shake hands to acknowledge this leadership milestone.

Eric Rusch promoted as Scott Harrison announces retirement after 34 years at Killington

Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America, recently announced a leadership succession plan in its food & beverage department. Scott Harrison, Killington's senior vice president of hospitality, has announced that he will retire at the end of May 2027, while Eric Rusch has been promoted to vice president of food & beverage and will join Killington's Resort Leadership Team.

Eric Rusch began his career with Killington Resort’s food & beverage team in 2010 and has steadily advanced through a series of leadership roles, earning increased responsibility through his talent, vision, and dedication. As Killington's first on-mountain executive chef in 2013, he helped redefine the culinary experience at the Peak Lodge with more farm-to-table items before leading the development of signature dining concepts including the Jerk Jamaican Mountain Grill, the Ledgewood Yurt, and the K-1 Lodge. Most recently, Eric expanded his leadership to oversee both culinary and front-of-house operations at the Killington Grand Hotel, continuing to elevate Killington's food & beverage offerings and guest experience across the resort. In his new role, Eric will now oversee over a dozen food & beverage locations across Killington Resort and Pico Mountain, plus Killington's Banquets team. Eric's promotion reflects his leadership, commitment to the team, and dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Scott Harrison first joined Killington Resort in 1992 as a seasonal snowmaker. From there, he built an extraordinary 34-year career leading teams in Killington’s Lift Operations, Food & Beverage, Lodging, Construction, Parking, and Water Resources departments. Scott's contributions to Killington over the years are innumerable, most notably in the resort’s food & beverage program. He helped elevate dining into a defining part of the Killington experience, from hiring Eric as the first Executive Chef to shaping signature experiences like the Peak Lodge, the new K-1 Lodge, and the new Ledgewood Yurt. Whether mentoring future leaders, building highly engaged teams, or helping park cars on busy Saturday mornings, Scott has never hesitated to do whatever was needed to support his team and Killington's guests.

"Having a succession plan set in place was very important to me in this process," Scott said. "I am so proud of Eric's growth at this company, and there's no one else I'd rather put in charge of our food & beverage team. It's great to be able to shake the hand of the person taking over your role and know that they're going to do an excellent job."

Scott's career from seasonal snowmaker to senior executive and Eric's progression from executive sous chef to vice president are perfect examples of Killington’s employee culture and commitment to promoting from within. Over the coming months, Eric will continue to report to Scott, who will mentor him through this transition to ensure continuity, support ongoing success, and build upon the strong foundation the resort has in its food & beverage department. Ahead of Scott's retirement at the end of May 2027, more details will be announced regarding further succession plans for Killington Resort’s hospitality teams and a formal celebration of Scott's many contributions to the resort.

Learn More About Killington Resort →

BBB Future Leaders Summit Student Showcase Coming to Rutland

Businesses, parents, educators & community leaders: join the Better Business Bureau of Eastern New England to celebrate & support Vermont’s next generation of entrepreneurs!

Future Leaders Summit — Student Showcase

Hosted in partnership with the Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), the summit gives students the opportunity to explore what it takes to turn an idea into something real. Students will connect with local experts, learn about starting a business, explore funding opportunities, and discover how AI can support their entrepreneurial journey.

What to Expect

• Getting Started: Learn the basics of turning an idea into a business with SBA and VTSBDC.
• Gaining Capital: Explore funding and financial resources with Citizens Bank.
• AI for Entrepreneurs: Discover how AI can be used as a tool to support and grow a business with Think Dynamic.
• Student Showcase: Students will have the opportunity to share their ideas, projects, and entrepreneurial goals.
• Community Connections: Meet business leaders, mentors, educators, and community partners who are invested in supporting young entrepreneurs.
• Networking: Connect with other students and members of Vermont’s business community.

This is not a competition. It’s an opportunity for students to build confidence, ask questions, make connections, and gain real-world insight from people who have experience building businesses and organizations. Students interested in applying should visit this application page.

Event Details

📅 Tuesday, November 3, 2026
🕓 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Rutland High School Gymnasium

Come meet Vermont’s emerging entrepreneurs, hear their ideas, and help create connections that can take those ideas to the next level.

If you have news that you would like CEDRR to share in a future newsletter, please email a press release to Matt Britt, Communications & Marketing Manager, at matt@rutlandeconomy.com.

Preservation Trust of Vermont Now Accepting Applications for Bruhn Grant Funding!

The Preservation Trust of Vermont (PTV) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant round. This project is supported through a grant from the Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program (Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants) as administered by the National Park Service Department of the Interior.

PTV has $660,000 available to preserve and restore buildings and community gathering spaces of economic and social significance in rural communities. Examples of work we support are roof repair or replacement, structural repairs, facade, window and door restoration or repair, code compliance work, weatherization improvements, and work that reduces the flood risk to historic properties.

Grants will be made in increments of $50,000-$150,000. Selection will be made based on project readiness, regional distribution, variety of project type, community and economic development potential, and the capacity of the local working group and/or property owner. We are particularly interested in projects that aim to increase the economic vitality of a community through non-profit ownership of general stores or other businesses, or bring new economic and community activity to village centers.

Eligible projects must be in towns of fewer than 7,500 people. Eligible entities include 501c nonprofit organizations, and commercial or private owners planning mixed-use projects located in designated downtown or village centers. Read more to find out if your project is eligible for this funding.

Organizations and owners that are new to preservation funding are encouraged to reach out to PTV staff to discuss the program requirements. PTV staff will host a question-and-answer Zoom webinar for entities interested in applying for a Bruhn grant on September 24, 2026. To learn more and apply, visit the Preservation Trust of Vermont's website.

Learn More About the Preservation Trust of Vermont →

Applications Open for the Vermont Council on Rural Development’s Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund

The Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) announces the opening of applications for the sixth round of the Climate Catalysts Innovation Fund. VCRD is dedicated to supporting local projects that are working toward reducing energy use, improving climate resiliency, and supporting communities working together in the face of a changing climate. The objectives of the fund are to:

• Support innovative local climate and energy projects where a small grant could have a meaningful impact.
• Simple application process through a Google form.
• Upfront funding provided to projects.
• Simple report when project is completed to share success and lessons learned.

Types of projects funded have included the purchase of e-bikes for loan at local libraries, solar power back-up storage for a community hubs, community gardens, emergency preparedness kits, and more. Learn more and apply today!

Learn More About the Vermont Council on Rural Development → 

Real Rutland Gift Card Program is Live!

We are pleased to announce that the Real Rutland gift card program is live!

Visitors to Rutland County from out-of-state are encouraged to stop into one of our partner locations, show their out-of-state ID, and fill out a quick survey. In return, they will be welcome to choose from one of our gift card packages ($100 value).

Current partner locations include Laureate Books in Poultney, The Gourmet Goat in Castleton, Upstairs Alchemy in Fair Haven, Wally’s Corner in Cuttingsville, Wisewell Goods in Brandon – and we are regularly adding locations across Rutland County.

Learn More About Real Rutland →

Real Rutland Community Canning Day on Sept. 20

Join Real Rutland at the Vermont Farmers Food Center on Sunday, September 20 at 12:00 PM for a Community Canning Day!

Bring your own produce and jars, and experts will help guide you through the waterbath canning process to preserve your own food.

To RSVP, or if you have questions, email caitlin@rutlandeconomy.com or call (802) 770-7069.

Learn More About Real Rutland →

UVM PACE Intro to the Potential of AI on September 22

University of Vermont Professional and Continuing Education (UVM PACE) is offering this free, on-site introduction to the potential of AI in business and manufacturing and its impact on your business, in partnership with StartUp Rutland.

This session will be held in the Workforce in Motion Streetside Conference Center at The Hub CoWorks on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. This course will include:

• Brief overview of Text, Image, and Video AI technologies reshaping industries: ChatGPT 5, DALL-E 3, Midjourney, Descript, VEO 3, NotebookLM, and other AI tools.

• Challenges and solutions for AI adoption in the business sector, with a focus on security, bias, and cost concerns.

• A dive into Large Language Models (LLMs), examining their capabilities and applications in the business world.

• Case studies highlighting successful AI integration in business and manufacturing and engineering.

• Strategic advice for businesses on leveraging AI to drive innovation and efficiency.

• Strategies for integrating AI into business processes, overcoming challenges, and fostering innovation.

• Guidance on implementing AI solutions, including selection, integration, and security best practices.

• The importance of ethical considerations and responsible AI use in business practices.

Learn more and register here.

For all questions, please contact an enrollment coach at learn@uvm.edu or call (802) 656-2085.

Learn More About The Hub CoWorks →

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. 

Learn More About CEDRR Offerings

Revolving Loan Fund   ●   Available Commercial Space   ●   Upcoming Events