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Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Read on for:
StartUp Rutland Small Business Resource Mixer on Aug. 27 | Expanded StartUp Rutland Program Featured on NBC5 | 5th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival on Sept. 12 | Membership Spotlight | CEDRR Member Benefits | What's New in Rutland County | Economic Development News and Opportunities | Real Rutland Concierge Program | The Hub CoWorks | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
StartUp Rutland Small Business Resource Mixer on Aug. 27
StartUp Rutland, a program of Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), will be hosting a Small Business Resource Mixer at The Hub CoWorks on Thursday, August 27 from 5:00-7:00 PM.
This mixer-style event aims to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with the community resources that help a business to grow and thrive. Stop by the tables that matter most to your business and walk away with real answers, connections, and next steps. Over 30 resource stations will be on site, ranging from accounting to attorneys, financial institutions, marketing, website design, tech support, training, government agencies and more!
No registration is required - this gathering is open to all Rutland County businesses entrepreneurs, and community members.
Expanded StartUp Rutland Program Featured on NBC5
NBC5 News (WPTZ) featured a story about the reshaped StartUp Rutland program on their August 12 broadcast.
Initially launched in 2022, StartUp Rutland has dedicated itself to attracting and supporting businesses across Rutland County. With an updated three-pillar approach, the refreshed program aims to make a greater impact and widen its reach to support entrepreneurs and small businesses across many fields – including the trades, retail, service industries, and more. The refreshed program is now built around three pillars: Actuator Entrepreneurship Cohorts in partnership with Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC); Pathways to Business Ownership program; and increased focus on education and events to support the small business community. More information on the upcoming Fall 2026 Actuator Cohort applications can be found below in The Hub CoWorks section of this newsletter.
Along with these pillars, over the last 6 months, StartUp Rutland has supported early-stage Rutland County businesses with funding and resources that have been used for business education, professional certifications, and technology investments that supported launching or growing businesses in the Region. StartUp Rutland will continue to offer support as long as possible to the entrepreneurs in our County.
An updated website for StartUp Rutland was launched in late July of 2026, highlighting the many new facets of this program. Entrepreneurs who are interested in applying to an Actuator Cohort, joining a Pathways to Business Ownership program, or attending an upcoming event can learn more at startuprutland.com.
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 four 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!
CEDRR stopped by The Bakery in Downtown Rutland on August 5 to connect with representatives from Community Bank, N.A., as they shared delicious "cruffins" and coffee as part of their "Surprise & Delight" community initiative.
Chrispin White, Member Services Manager at CEDRR, recently visited with Caitlin Montgomery, Store Manager and CFO of Wallingford Village Market, to purchase some gift cards for the Real Rutland Gift Card Program and learn more about the Market's offerings.
CEDRR Would Like to Welcome Our Newest Members:
CEDRR Would Like to Thank the Following Businesses for Renewing Their Membership:
AAA Northern New England, Alderman's Automotive Group, Ault Commercial Realty, Inc., Baird Farm Maple Syrup, Calvary Bible Church, Carpet King of Vermont, Catamount Radio, City of Rutland, Community College of Vermont, Comparion Insurance, Davis & Hodgdon CPAs, Efficiency Vermont, Facey, Goss & McPhee, P.C., Foley Services, Gawet Marble & Granite, Hand Carved by Ernie, IBF Solutions, LaValley Building Supply, Marble Valley Regional Transit/The Bus, Midway Oil Corp./Tenneybrook Convenience Stores, Phoenix Books Rutland, Proctor Pittsford Country Club, Regional Ambulance Service, Inc., Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland Veterinary Clinic & Surgical Center, SymQuest Group, Inc., Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, VermontBiz, Vermont Public, WMUD Radio
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:
Allen Pools & Spas – 10% off in-stock water care products and accessories
Pyramid Holistic Wellness Center – 20% off salt cave sessions & biomat sessions or any of their other four immersion wellness rooms
Want to Offer a Deal to Thousands of Perk Cardholders? Email us with the Perk you would like to offer!
Mary Cohen, CEO of Cornerstone Housing Partners, and Sarah Furman, Executive Director of CEDRR, celebrate the ribbon cutting of Maplewood Commons on August 6.
Maplewood Commons Opens in Rutland
Cornerstone Housing Partners, in partnership with Evernorth, recently opened Maplewood Commons, a 30-unit housing complex in Rutland. This project broke ground in May of 2025 and was completed on time and on budget.
Maplewood Commons transformed a vacant industrial site into 30 permanently affordable homes, providing essential services for low- and moderate-income households in the Rutland area. Its location on the bus route allows residents access to transportation throughout the region.
"We are grateful to our partners and funders for helping make these 30 affordable homes a reality,” said Mary Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone Housing Partners. “The completion of Maplewood Commons Apartments is an exciting milestone for our community and a testament to what strong partnerships can accomplish. These 30 new homes will provide safe, stable, and affordable housing for individuals and families, and Cornerstone Housing Partners is proud to have worked alongside so many dedicated partners to bring this vision to life.”
Small Business Days are Back at Your Neighborhood Verizon
Verizon is proud to support local businesses in our community. Visit your neighborhood Verizon and take advantage of Small Business Days offers through August 30!
Stop by and see how Verizon can help keep your business connected while saving you money.
Learn More About Verizon Small Business Days →
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region Volunteer Training in Rutland on Sept. 18
VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region is holding an in-person training session on Friday, September 18 from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM at their Rutland office, 7 Albert Cree Drive in Rutland. Hospice volunteers are special. They provide invaluable support and in-home care to patients and their families. Maybe you’ve had a personal experience with hospice and want to give back. Perhaps you are a student looking to complete community service hours or maybe you simply have a heart for caring.
No matter what your reason for choosing to help us, we’re eager to find a volunteer opportunity that fits with your interests, availability, and talents.
Pre-registration is required. To register, please contact Mary Pleasant by phone at (802) 442-0540 or by email at mary.pleasant@vnahsr.org.
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.
Registration is Now Open for VCRD Community Leadership Summit on Oct. 6
Join hundreds of community builders from across Vermont for the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) annual Leadership Summit - a full day of connection, learning, and inspiration for anyone working to strengthen their town.
This year’s Summit will be held at the Vermont State University Castleton Campus, and is grounded in the newly updated Vermont Community Leadership in Action Guide, which will shape workshops, panels, group discussions, and networking throughout the day. Sessions will explore practical tools and strategies for leadership and facilitation skills, community engagement and volunteerism, local economic vitality, advancing community projects, and more.
Whether you’re a longtime local leader or someone just beginning to get involved, you’ll find space to learn, share, and gather ideas you can bring home to your community. All people who care about their town and the future of our state are encouraged to attend.
To register, visit www.vtrural.org/summit/.
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.
Applications Now Open for StartUp Rutland 8-Week Program in Fall 2026
Applications are now 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.
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.
Community Clinician
Community Care Network is seeking a Community Clinician to join their team.
Manager of Care Coordination
Community Care Network is seeking a Manager of Care Coordination to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
Vermont State Fair
Vermont State Fairgrounds
175 S. Main St., Rutland
August 18 - August 22
Admission Prices
Children 5 & under are free every day!
Military with ID are free every day!
Wednesday 8/19
$50 Ride Wristbands!
Children's Day! Bike Giveaway!
$15 general admission for adults (ages 13 & over)
Ages 12 and Under - free!
$7 for seniors (ages 65 & over)
$50 Rides!
Thursday 8/20
$50 Ride Wristbands!
Veterans Appreciation Day!
Senior Day
$15 general admission for adults (ages 13 & over)
$7 for children ages 6 to 12
Ages 5 and under are free!
Free admission to all veterans!
Free Admission for all seniors (ages 65 & over)
$50 Rides!
Friday 8/21 & Saturday 8/22
$15 general admission for adults (13 & over)
$7 for seniors (ages 65 & over)
$7 for children (ages 6-12)
Ages 5 and under are free
Chittenden Day Celebration
Barstow School
223 Chittenden Rd, Chittenden
August 22, 12:00-4:00 PM
Join the fun on the front lawn beginning at noon! The Chittenden Volunteer Fire Department will host their annual barbeque, and DJ Dave will be playing music all afternoon. There will be vendors, games, food, and lots of fun for the whole family! Free and open to all!
Learn More About CEDRR Offerings
Revolving Loan Fund ● Available Commercial Space ● Upcoming Events
