Also, no mixer in November.
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Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Read on for:
No Mixer in November | ChamberMaster Exclusive Member to Member Details |
What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT |
Membership Spotlight | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
No Mixer in November
This is a reminder that the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) will not host a mixer this month. We typically host our Annual Meeting in November but it was held in October this year.
We look forward to seeing you at our December Mixer on Tuesday, December 10 at Heritage Family Credit Union from 5-7 p.m.
Member to Member Benefits on the Member Portal
Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region members can access the Member Portal via ChamberMaster. Here, you will find exclusive deals available only to our members from other participating members.
Our members can view their account and make payments from the portal as well. All members should have received an email from Lori Pinkowski to sign into your account. If you need a new link to sign in or have any questions, please reach out to Lori directly.
Welcome to Our New Member
Coffee & espresso, lattes & teas, biscuits & baked goods. Welcome & sit a spell.
Located at 31 Center Street in Downtown Rutland, the Speakeasy Café has seating and to-go options, plus they are available for catering.
Speakeasy Café has been increasing events in their space, offering Plant Bingo (with GreenSpell Plant Shop), Trivia every Thursday night beginning at 6 p.m., and a silent book club and (not silent) book club (in partnership with Phoenix Books). "Speakeasy After Dark" is part of this programming, including drinks for the 21+ crowd.
CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:
Ann Clark, Engineering Services of Vermont, GSM Property, LLC, The McKernon Group, Inc., Phoenix Books Rutland, Seward & Associates, PLC, Town of Castleton, Town of Fair Haven, Town of Pittsford, Town of West Rutland, TRIO Community Meals, The Vermont Country Store, Voity Electrical, and Wilk Paving Inc..
VACE+ Insurance Program
The VACE+ Insurance Program offers CEDRR members access to high-quality, competitively priced employee benefits that are tailored to meet the needs of both small and medium-sized businesses and sole proprietors. VACE+ understands the importance of offering a robust employee benefits package to attract and retain top talent. The goal is to simplify how CEDRR members can begin offering employee benefits for the first time or easily add new benefits to their existing program.
Current VACE+ Offerings: Dental and Vision Plans - Affordable and quality dental and vision insurance for CEDRR members and their employees through VACE+. The dental and vision plans are designed especially for CEDRR members and their employees.
New VACE+ Insurance Employee Plans for 2025:
Voluntary Benefits
- Life Insurance (Term and Whole Life)
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
Pet Insurance
- Unique landing page for each Chamber
- 15% discount off market rates
Enrollment is open now. For more information and/or to sign up, please click the link below.
Rutland City Board of Aldermen Approves First Phase of TIF District
The City of Rutland Board of Aldermen has approved the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply to the State for a TIF District, marking a significant milestone in the City's strategic efforts to boost economic development, create housing, and address long-standing infrastructure needs. This initiative aims to remove key building barriers to private development while improving the quality of life for residents.
Presenting the TIF District Plan and LOI before the Board of Aldermen were Ed Bove, Executive Director of the Rutland Redevelopment Authority (RRA), which serves as Rutland City’s economic development entity, as well as Stephanie Clarke, Vice President of White + Burke Real Estate Advisors, who is guiding the RRA through the TIF Districting Process.
The City anticipates submitting its full TIF District application for VEPC approval by early 2025, with public infrastructure projects beginning as soon as 2026.
The first step with the Board of Aldermen is to review the TIF District Plan, which outlines the possible projects that could occur over the next ten years. This is in no way binding, but instead allows for prudent planning and collaborations with developers and property owners.
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Feedback Needed
Rutland City residents, don’t miss your chance to comment on the draft 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan update!
The comment period officially closes this Friday, November 8. You can access the draft plan at https://tinyurl.com/rutlandlhmp25 or in person at City Hall.
Submit any comments you may have, including suggested revisions, to maggie@rutlandrpc.org.
Sitter Mixer at Wonderfeet Kids' Museum
Wonderfeet Kids' Museum is hosting a Sitter Mixer on Monday, November 11 from 12-1:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to network with child caregivers in the area.
This free event is for families with young children to meet and mingle with potential mother's helpers, babysitters, and childcare providers! Anyone with an interest in babysitting, trained in the Red Cross Babysitter course, and families looking for babysitting help are welcome.
If you are a family looking for care, your kids are invited. If you are a sitter looking to network, bring copies of your resume and contact information to distribute.
Call the museum or email oliviac@wkmvt.org with any questions.
Killington Resort Plans Future Mountain Bike Expansion
Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard destination in Eastern North America wrapped up the 2024 Mountain Bike season on Sunday, October 27 after more than 80 days of lift-accessed downhill action. The season included the debut of a learning zone on Snowshed and targeted adult skills clinics from the Mountain Sports School. Killington continued the popular women’s “Divas of Dirt” rides and welcomed more than 600 athletes and 7,000 fans from around the globe for the biggest Fox US Open of Mountain Biking yet. This continues the growth of the sport over the past decade as more and more people discover the thrill of lift-accessed Mountain Biking.
With the success and continued growth of Mountain Biking, the resort is planning a trail expansion in the summer of 2025 as part of the $30 million investments from its new independent ownership. The permitting process is currently underway with the State of Vermont with the addition of a new trail serviced by the Ramshead Express Quad. This portion of the expansion will total $300,000.
The new trail will start at the top of Ramshead and continue down the mountain on the biker’s left of Blue Magic. This trail will span over 2 miles with an intermediate pitch and be rated blue (more difficult), mostly single track with a narrower feel than Blue Magic. It will intersect with Blue Magic at several points, offering riders an option to easily switch between trails, giving them the option to create multiple experiences on different laps. The trail will use the natural terrain to create jumps, step-downs, and have wooden features including berms, diving boards, whale tails, and more.
Photo courtesy of Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports.
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports Honored with Award
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, the largest nonprofit in Vermont to provide year-round sports and recreational programs to people with disabilities, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Bill McCollom Community Award by the Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, recognizing its transformative contributions to Vermont’s skiing and riding community. The award celebrates Vermont Adaptive’s commitment to accessibility, and empowering youth and adults with disabilities to experience outdoor sports and recreation.
“It is a true privilege to receive the Bill McCollom Community Award,” said Erin Fernandez, Vermont Adaptive’s executive director. “This award highlights our work, but also the community and spirit of inclusion that is defining Vermont. This recognition is a testament to our dedicated staff, volunteers, participants, and families, as well as our resort partners and generous donors who make it all possible.”
The award ceremony took place during the museum’s Hall of Fame induction at Killington Resort’s K-1 Lodge on Saturday, October 19.
Upcoming Events at The Hub CoWorks
VERMONT LAW & GRADUATE SCHOOL RETURN FOR EARLY-STAGE FINANCING SEMINAR
Tuesday, November 12
2:00-4:00 PM
The Hub CoWorks
Join us for an insightful educational presentation by a seasoned lawyer and educator from the Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Small Business Law Center. Gain valuable insights into structuring deals and protecting your business by making informed financial decisions. Learn more and register for this free event, here!
FUNDAMENTALS OF MARKETING: STRATEGIES OF THE FUTURE
Thursday, November 14
9:00-11:00 a.m.
The Hub CoWorks
Join Mimi Damm for her second free marketing event at The Hub this fall and learn how to keep up in today’s fast-paced, digital era. This session will explore the following topics:
- Fundamentals of marketing
- Effective marketing techniques
- Understanding consumer behavior
- Data and analytics
- Brand development and storytelling
To learn more or RSVP for this FREE event, visit our site, here.
ANNE LEZAK TO HOST GRANT AND PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP
Friday, November 22
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
The Hub CoWorks
Anne Lezak has a long history of enthusiastically sharing her winning strategies to develop clear and compelling proposals for a wide range of audiences and projects. This one-day intensive seminar will improve your grant and proposal writing skills. Scan the QR code to sign up or click here!
AN INSIDE EXIT: SELLING A BUSINESS TO FAMILY, MANAGERS, OR THE EMPLOYEES
Friday, February 7 from 11:30-1:00 p.m.
$5 (covers lunch from Gill’s Deli)
The Hub CoWorks
Are you starting to think about ownership succession for your business? For many owners, the best path is selling to those already involved in the business. Join us for a seminar that covers essential tips on assessing and preparing for internal exit options. You’ll explore three internal succession methods: selling to family members, managers, or employees. Presented by Matt Cropp, Executive Director of the Vermont Employee Ownership Center. Learn more and register here!
Happy November!
Over here at The MINT, we like to change with the seasons. In that theme, we are thrilled to share with you all that our downtown shop (72 Merchants Row) is getting a holiday makeover! We are moving some things around to make room for some stunning member made items and a larger classroom section. Do not worry, the reMake crafting goods are not going anywhere! We have rearranged a bit, but the same treasures are still there waiting for you. Additionally, keep an eye out for expanded hours through the winter. We would like to send a huge shout out to our incredible volunteers who are coordinating their efforts to keep the shop running smoothly. Please stop in and take a look around!
Upcoming Classes for You in BOTH Locations!
Introduction to Knitting: November 4
Beginners' Guide to Drawing: November 9-23 (3 sessions)
Sewing Reusable Shopping Bags: November 11 and 14
Coffee (or Tea!), Conversation, and Creativity: November 10
Paint Party with Gail: November 15
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.
Teller
The Bank of Bennington is seeking a Teller to join their team.
Community Rehabilitation & Treatment Case Manager
Community Care Network is seeking a Community Rehabilitation & Treatment Case Manager to join their team.
Training and Organizational Development Manager
Heritage Family Credit Union is seeking a Training and Organizational Development Manager to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
AI Tools & Tips for Small Businesses with Andrea Beach
November 6 | 8:30-10 AM | Virtual
The AI landscape is evolving fast! Knowing which tools are available and affordable can make all the difference for small business owners. Learn from an expert how you can leverage simple AI tools to get more clients, improve your offerings, and gain freedom from mundane or unwanted tasks. All questions are welcome!
Spill the Tea with Social Media Marketing
November 21 | 12-1 PM | Zoom
Participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to using social media for small business marketing. This workshop will cover building a profile, managing a content calendar, engaging with an online community, analyzing data and analytics, and a unique tutorial on using CapCut to create your own short-form videos. The goal is to equip attendees with the knowledge to enhance their organization's visibility, audience, and reach through the effective use of social media platforms.
ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor Training
December 3 and 4 | 8:30 AM-5 PM both days | Virtual | $400 per person
Create a successful ISO Audit Team in 2 Days! The skill required to conduct Internal Audits that support the organizations’ needs and requirements to customers is crucial to any quality system in any business. This training is designed to increase your understanding of auditing techniques and will take you step-by-step through the stages of an internal audit from audit planning to closure and follow-up.
Dave Lambertson, President of Qualitec Consulting LLC, will instruct this valuable quality offering. Dave has over 35 years of experience in Quality Management and Management System implementation with focus on Management Systems auditing, Quality System design, Quality Assurance management, and Systems Engineering.
Please be sure to read the entire description for this course so you're best prepared for this learning experience and what you'll need to bring for the course.
