Whoopie Pie Festival Saturday, September 12!
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Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Read on for:
5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival on Sept. 12 | Welcome Chris Poirier to the CEDRR Staff | CEDRR Closed Sept. 7 for Labor Day | CEDRR Seeking Volunteers and Vendors for the Whoopie Pie Festival | Membership Spotlight | CEDRR Member Benefits | What's New in Rutland County | Economic Development News and Opportunities | Real Rutland Concierge Program | The Hub CoWorks
5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival on Sept. 12
The 5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival will feature something for everyone! Join us on September 12 from 12:00-4:00 PM on Center Street and Merchants Row in Downtown Rutland, and enjoy music, performances, activities, vendors, food trucks, and more.
Purchase your taste sample tickets ahead of time and skip the lines on the day of the festival! Sample tickets are $1, and each ticket allows you to taste one whoopie pie (so we recommend more than one). There is no ticket required to attend - only to sample the whoopie pies.
The Whoopie Pie Mile, a family-friendly one-mile fun run/walk, will take place at 10:00 AM at the Rutland Community Center Field - 134 Community Drive Road in Rutland. The race will feature 4 mini-whoopie pie stations along the course. The race fee is $10 for adults and youth ages 12+. Kids 11 and under can run the full mile for free, and there will also be a free Whoopie Dash for kids ages 8 and under. Race participants will receive 4 free tasting activities for the festival. Register for the Whoopie Pie Mile here.
We look forward to seeing you on September 12!
Welcome Chris Poirier to the CEDRR Staff
Chris Poirier has joined the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) as an Office Administrator, supporting The Hub CoWorks, StartUp Rutland, and CEDRR’s broader work across the region. A Rutland-area native, Chris brings experience in operations, marketing, events, community development, customer engagement, and public service across small business, nonprofits, retail, media, hospitality, esports, and comics.
Chris holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University. Before CEDRR, he served as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Comix Wellspring, leading brand development, partnerships, creator engagement, growth, and revenue. His career also includes Federal government and military experience in intelligence, emergency management, operations, and program support with Treasury, DHS, and the DoD. He previously founded the gaming nonprofit Columbus Got Game.
Chris and his wife currently live in Rutland Town and can be found rolling dice at any Friendly Local Game Store, searching for hidden treasure at the record store, or finding that key issue in the backroom of a local comic shop.
Chris also serves on boards with CEDRR and Rutland Town, focused on small business and transportation issues, and is a member of the Rutland South Rotary Club. At CEDRR, his focus is simple: connect people, help good ideas grow, and strengthen the Rutland Region.
CEDRR Closed Sept. 7 for Labor Day
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) office and The Hub CoWorks will both be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. We will reopen and resume regular operations on Tuesday, September 8.
We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday weekend - and we appreciate all of those who continue to work on Labor Day. We are extremely grateful for the essential services you provide to keep our region going, even on holidays.
A Volunteer in the Whoopie Pie Character Costume at a Previous Whoopie Pie Festival
CEDRR Seeking Volunteers and Vendors for the Whoopie Pie Festival
Are you available to help us make sure the Fifth Annual Whoopie Pie Festival is a success? CEDRR is still seeking some volunteers and non-food vendors to help support the event on Saturday, September 12.
We are still seeking volunteers for the following shifts:
Whoopie Pie Costume Character | One shift still available - 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Wear the Whoopie Pie Festival costume, mingle with attendees, and pose for photos.
Festival Breakdown | 4:15 - 5:15 PM
5 - 10 volunteers still needed
- Take down and pack up Whoopie Pie tents
- Move Casella Garbage Cans & Recycling Bins
- Break down and store tables and chairs
- Downtown Rutland reopens by 5:30 PM
For more information or to sign up for a specific shift, please contact Chrispin White at (802) 770-7066 or chrispin@rutlandeconomy.com.
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There are also a handful of vendor spots still open to sell crafts, specialty items, and other products. We are fully booked for whoopie pie and food vendors.
Vendor Registration:
- $100 for non-members
- $50 for CEDRR members
Interested vendors can complete the registration form here.
When completing the form, please select “Other Vendors” under the Registration section. For more information, please contact Chrispin White at chrispin@rutlandeconomy.com.
CEDRR Would Like to Thank the Following Businesses for Renewing Their Membership:
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:
Awesome Graphics - Promotional Products - Get your set up for FREE and 10% off your first order.
Business Cards - Box of 100 cards FREE for any first-time order. Standard full-color double-sided 16 pt stock. Limit one box per customer & only applies to new customers.
Banners - All members get 10% OFF banners - no limit on quantity. Single Sided 13 oz vinyl w/ grommets.
Apparel - Get your set up for FREE and 10% off your first order.
Rutland Herald - 10% off any private party classified ad (excluding garage sales).
For NEW CEDRR Members: Two free 2x2 ads or One free 2x5 ad (b&w).
Want to Offer a Deal to Thousands of Perk Cardholders? Email us with the Perk you would like to offer!
The ribbon cutting of Community Health's Geriatrics Clinic on Monday, August 31
Welcome Community Health's Geriatrics Clinic to Rutland
CEDRR was happy to help welcome Community Health’s new Geriatrics Clinic to our community at their ribbon cutting on Monday, August 31!
This facility, designed to support patients age 60 or older with more complex needs, is located at 231 North Main Street in Rutland City.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Community Health CEO Michael Gardner and Rutland City Mayor Tom Donahue, as well as to tour the facility’s spacious examination rooms, designed to support patients using wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids and equipped with telecommunication support, so that patients can be joined remotely by family members as needed.
For more information about Community Health's Geriatrics Clinic, patients should contact their primary care provider or reach Patient Access at (802) 779-9169.
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.
The August 31 tour to explore and celebrate the Fox Hollow Forest School
Fox Hollow Forest School Prepares to Open
Fox Hollow Forest School, a nature-based school, held a special gathering on August 31 to celebrate the incredible work, collaboration, and community support that have helped to grow from the original campus at the Barstow Memorial School in Chittenden to now include a new campus - located at 88 Park St in Rutland.
Fox Hollow's Rutland City-based campus offers full-day, year-round education and care for children ages 1-6, aftercare for children ages 3-12, and a Transitional Kindergarten Program for ages 5 & 6. Students will experience everything that nature and the seasons have to offer in the forest behind the Vermont Achievement Center (VAC) as well as in VAC classrooms. Classes go outside in all types of (non-extreme) weather and use the great outdoors as the main classroom.
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.
The team at Formula Ford of Rutland received the Ford True Blue Award on August 28
Formula Ford Recognized with the Ford True Blue Award
Formula Ford of Rutland was recently recognized by Ford Motor Company with the Ford True Blue Award. The True Blue Award is a recognition of dealerships who excel in demonstrating partnership with Ford across all aspects of business, including sales, service, inventory management, customer service, and finance operations. Congratulations to the entire Formula Ford team on this special honor!
Revolutionizing Pawlet with Geothermal Energy
Pawlet is among the first of Vermont’s communities to implement a geothermal heating and cooling system for municipal buildings. With construction slated to begin in late September, you are invited to celebrate this significant achievement in renewable energy switching and resilience with us.
Thanks to funding from the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP), the Town of Pawlet is poised to implement a unique renewable energy system for two critical facilities in our community - the Town Hall and the Library. Come celebrate this milestone with us at our groundbreaking ceremony!
- The geothermal system will
utilize a series of 400ft deep, 6” diameter boreholes adjacent to the Library.
- Wells will be connected to each building’s mechanical room with buried pipes.
- New mechanical equipment with minimal maintenance needs will be installed, like geothermal (water-to-water) heat pumps and a geothermal flow center.
Fri, September 18, 2026, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Pawlet Town Green (near 122 School St)
Click here to RSVP before Mon, September 14, or call (802) 325-3309 x2
Rutland Regional Medical Center Named Among Best Hospitals for Hip and Knee Replacements, Hip Fractures, and Diabetes by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Ratings
Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC) has been named a U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 High Performing Hospital for both Hip and Knee Replacements, Hip Fractures, and Diabetes. This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
RRMC is the only hospital in the state of Vermont to receive a High Performing rating for its Diabetes and Endocrinology Specialized Clinic. RRMC is also the only hospital in the state to earn a High Performing rating across all four procedures, conditions, and specialties in Diabetes, Hip Replacement, Knee Replacement, and Hip Fracture. Fewer than half of the thousands of hospitals evaluated earned a 'High Performing' designation in the types of care evaluated by U.S. News.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic and Diabetes and Endocrinology teams”, said Judi Fox, President and CEO at RRMC. “It underscores our unwavering commitment to our patients and the communities we serve.”
Carolina Mendes, MD, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism added "Receiving this recognition is a wonderful reflection of the dedication of our entire Diabetes and Endocrinology team. Every day, our physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, educators, and staff work together to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for our patients. We are proud to serve our community and grateful that our commitment to high-quality diabetes care has been recognized."
U.S. News’ annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their health care providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. For more than a decade, RRMC has consistently ranked among the highest performing hospitals for both hip and knee replacement.
“The recognition of RRMC as a high performing hospital for orthopaedic procedures is a credit to the collaboration and teamwork of our providers, nurses, physical therapists, case managers, and support staff,” said Eric Marsh, MD, Medical Director of Orthopaedic Surgery. “Delivering high-quality care to our patients is a priority for our team.”
U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions; less than half earned recognition in any of those 37 areas of care. To determine the Best Hospitals, U.S. News analyzed each hospital’s performance based on objective measures such as risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and patient experience. The Best Hospitals Specialty rankings methodology and Procedures & Conditions ratings methodology measure patient outcomes using data from over 800 million records of patient care.
“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that Rutland Regional Medical Center outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”
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.
Preliminary Details for the 2027 VOREC Community Grant Program (VCGP)
The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) Outdoor Recreation Grants Team is thrilled to announce preliminary details for the 2027 Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) Community Grant Program (VCGP).
This year’s grant round will focus on project development and promotion that will support local outdoor recreation economies. For information on eligibility, project examples, and anticipated timeline please visit the VCGP webpage.
The grant round will open October 2026, but we’re sharing this with you now to start thinking ahead! Full application details are expected to be announced in the near future.
The VOREC Community Grant Program (VCGP) is intended to fund community projects that support and grow local economies by leveraging outdoor recreation.
- Current status: The next grant round will launch by October 2026. Full details will be available after launch!
- Eligible applicants: Municipalities and non-profit organizations
- Funding source: One-time State General Funds, Vermont Recreational Trails Fund
- Total funds available: $275,000
Interested in applying for an FPR Recreation Grant but not sure which program is the best fit? Register for the "Gearing Up for Fall Grant Rounds: Which Grant Should I Apply For?" webinar taking place on Tuesday, September 15 at 11:00 AM-12:00 PM.
If you have questions, please reach out to ANR.FPRRecreationGrants@vermont.gov.
STaRS Seed Grants: Up to $15,000 for Vermont Research & Innovation
STRIVE’s STaRS Seed Grants provide up to $15,000 for proof-of-concept research with potential to expand research, infrastructure, and future opportunities. Grants support replicable research, undergraduate student research experiences, and collaboration across educational and private-sector partners.
Deadline: October 15. Learn more at strivevt.org/grants/ or contact admin@strivevt.org.
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.
Connections being made at the StartUp Rutland Small Business Resource Mixer on August 27
StartUp Rutland Resource Mixer Brought Over 100 People Together to Support Local Business
Thank you to everyone who attended the StartUp Rutland Small Business Resource Mixer on August 27! It was excellent to see so many connections being made throughout The Hub CoWorks.
We are grateful to the 30+ resource partners who joined us to share their expertise with the public, and The Maple Angus for the delicious food and beverages. StartUp Rutland is excited to host more events like this in the future!
UVM PACE Presents Introduction to the Potential of AI on September 22
Professional and Continuing Education at the University of Vermont (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. 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.
* ChatGPT Personal Setup: Custom instructions, memory settings, folder organization
* NotebookLM SetUp: Document analysis, research workflows, content synthesis
* Live Demo: Alec’s actual workspace tour + step-by-step setup replication - 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.
- Continuous testing and learning are essential for staying competitive in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
- Frameworks for Antifragile Leadership in the Age of AI
* Map AI disruptions to your org capabilities—identify fragile vs. antifragile practices
* Example Upskilling Framework
Register for this in-person workshop here.
For all questions, please contact an enrollment coach at learn@uvm.edu or call (802) 656-2085.
Applications Open for StartUp Rutland 8-Week Program in Fall 2026
Applications are open for StartUp Rutland! Have a business idea, new product, service, creative venture, or community-focused concept you’re ready to explore?
StartUp Rutland is offering an 8-week program designed to help Rutland County entrepreneurs move from idea to action with structured coursework, practical tools, 1:1 mentorship, and a supportive local startup community. This course will be held in-person at The Hub CoWorks in Downtown Rutland.
Participants will strengthen their Founder mindset, validate their business concept, connect with Mentors and Subject Matter Experts, and build toward a capstone pitch event where they can share their vision with local stakeholders and supporters.
Whether you’re at the idea stage, working toward an MVP, exploring a new product line, or looking for the right network to help you take your next step - this program is built to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
The program is offered at no cost to Rutland County Founders, thanks to the support of CEDRR.
Applications are open for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Cohorts. To apply, visit form.jotform.com/Black_River/startuprutland.
Learn More About CEDRR Offerings
● Revolving Loan Fund ●
● Upcoming Events ●
● Career Hub ●
● Available Commercial Space ●
