Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Read on for:
Whoopie Pie Festival Volunteers Needed | Pre-Buy Whoopie Pie Tickets | Dream Maker Bakers Attempting to Break the World Record |
What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT |
Membership Spotlight | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
Whoopie Pie Festival Volunteers Needed
Rutland's Whoopie Pie Festival is a fun event for all! We need your help to make this all-day festival a success. Now is your chance to volunteer for the Whoopie Pie Festival on Saturday, September 14. We have opportunities from 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Help put up or take down tents, wear the whoopie pie costume, hand out pre-bought whoopie pie sample tickets, roll up sod at the end of the day, and more! The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region appreciates our community and the help you all provide. All volunteers will receive a
CEDRR t-shirt and five tickets for whoopie pie samples. Thank you! Sign up here →
Skip the Line! Purchase Whoopie Pie Tickets Online!
This year, you can purchase your whoopie pie sample tickets online. Skip the long line and head to the "Will Call" tent to collect your pre-bought tickets beginning at noon. You can still purchase more tickets if you decide you need more samples! Twenty bakers will be putting their best whoopie pies to the test. Don't forget to vote for People's Choice during the event. Purchase tickets here →
Dream Maker Bakers to Break the Record for World's Largest Whoopie Pie
Will Dream Maker Bakers create a 1,100-pound whoopie pie? The team is attempting to break the world record currently held by a bakery in Maine. Dream Maker Bakers created a 770-pound whoopie pie last year. This year, they will add 300+ pounds of whoopie pie! Come to the festival on Saturday, September 14 to see the team create a new world record, and help eat the whoopie pie after it has been weighed! Learn more about Dream Maker Bakers →
CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:
Governor Phil Scott announces the recipients of the Community Development Block Grants in Rutland on Wednesday, August 21.
Rutland County Receives Community Development Block Grants
Governor Phil Scott, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Vermont’s congressional delegation today announced $2,155,468 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) federal funding awards through the Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP). These investments will support renovations to existing rental units in the City of Rutland, the redevelopment of underutilized and vacant housing in the City of Rutland and Town of Castleton, construction of water and wastewater infrastructure to support the development of eight Habitat for Humanity homes in Underhill, and making the Vergennes Opera House fully
accessible. Six projects are receiving this latest round of Community Development Block Grants: - City of Rutland – Subgrant to the Housing Trust of Rutland County to complete the renovation of four affordable rental properties with 22 existing housing units and 13 new housing units being created resulting in 35 total affordable housing units located at 194-208 Columbian Ave and 74 Park Street in Rutland and 18 Drake Road in Castleton.
- City of Rutland – Subgrant to the Housing Trust of Rutland County (HRTC) to complete planning to merge HTRC and NeighborWorks of
Western Vermont into one entity.
Read about all recipients here →
HDmedical is Vermont and New England 2024 SBA Manufacturer of the Year
Rutland based HDmedical is the 2024 SBA Vermont and New England Manufacturer of the year. The Small Business Administration (SBA) Manufacturer of the Year award recognizes small businesses that demonstrate excellence in product innovation, job creation, and community engagement. HDmedical's selection for both the state and regional awards highlights its exceptional performance in these areas. Read the full press release here →
GE Aerospace Rutland Program Apprentices.
Apprentices Graduate from GE Aerospace Advanced Machinist | Toolmaker Apprentice Program
Nine apprentices graduated from the Advanced Machinist | Toolmaker Apprentice Program at GE Aerospace’s site in Rutland, Vt., after three years of learning machining and manufacturing skills while attending technical classes. This year’s graduating class marks the 50th anniversary of the Rutland apprenticeship program. More than 348 individuals have graduated since the program’s inception, giving local residents the opportunity to gain a good-paying manufacturing job. “Kids and adults alike can look at these graduates and see a clear pathway to building an amazing career in manufacturing right here in Rutland. We are grateful that GE Aerospace continues to invest in our people and community through this apprenticeship
program,” said Lyle Jepson, Executive Director of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region. Read more →
Business Emergency GAP Assistance Program Opens Thursday
Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Department of Economic Development (DED) announced that the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) application portal will open on Thursday, August 29 at 8:00 a.m. BEGAP is a grant program for businesses, nonprofits, landlords, and farms that suffered physical damage from flooding. It is available for properties damaged in 2023 and/or 2024. Property eligible for 2023 BEGAP funding may also be eligible for 2024 BEGAP funding. Separate applications must be submitted for each year's funding, for each physical location. A business or nonprofit can receive grants for up to three physical locations, per flood.
Before the application opens, businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to visit the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program page to learn how the program works and what they need to have on hand before they begin the online application process. Eligibility and grant calculations differ depending on several factors. Read more here →
SBA Offering Disaster Assistance to Vermont Businesses and Residents Affected by July Storms
Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Vermont following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for severe storm, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that occurred July 9-11. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Franklin, Grand Isle, Orange, Rutland, and Windsor in Vermont; Coos and Grafton in New Hampshire and Clinton, Essex and Washington in New York. Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 21, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 20, 2025. Read more →
Free and Low-Cost Ways to Improve Your Rental Property
Vermont Partners with USDA to Award $1 Million for RFSI Equipment-Only Projects
Nominate a Rutland County Rising Star
Vermont has a wealth of talented and enthusiastic youth in our business communities (both for-profit and non-profit). VermontBiz has recognized these top 40 under 40 individuals over the last thirteen years by naming them Vermont's Rising Stars! VermontBiz will again honor Vermont's most accomplished young leaders in November's issue. The nomination process is open from July 1 to September 1, 2024. Award recipients will be selected by a panel of judges for their commitment to business growth, professional excellence, and involvement in their communities. All will be notified after the judges have made their final decision in September. TO BE ELIGIBLE, THE CANDIDATE: - Must be employed in Vermont
- Must live in Vermont
- Must be involved in the community
- Must be 39 years old or younger on October 1, 2024
- May be nominated by self or another person
In 200 words or less please describe why you are nominating this person. Be sure to fill out all the required fields indicated. VermontBiz will then contact each nominee for a resume and a list of community involvement.
If you have any questions about a candidate's eligibility feel free to email Ellen Sheehey at ellen@vermontbiz.com or call at 802-863-8038.
The deadline for nominations is September 1, 2024. Nominate here →
Upcoming Classes and a New Podcast Episode
VERMONT LAW SCHOOL: STARTUP ESSENTIALS FOR A NEW SMALL BUSINESS – FREE SEMINAR Tuesday, October 22, 2024 2:00-4:00 p.m. The Hub CoWorks Calling all new business owners, or soon-to-be owners! Join faculty and law students from the Vermont Small Business Law Center of Vermont Law and Graduate School for a FREE seminar/discussion on what legal matters you'll need to complete or contemplate. There is no charge to attend this event, but you must RSVP as space is limited. Click here for the full seminar description and save your spot!
DIGITAL MARKETING FOR RECRUITMENT AND FUNDRAISING Thursday, September 12, 2024 9:00-11:00 a.m. The Hub CoWorks Hosted by seasoned digital marketing strategist Mimi Damm, dive into the latest strategies and tips to boost your online recruitment and fundraising! This event is free, but space is limited. RSVP and learn more here.
FUNDAMENTALS OF MARKETING: STRATEGIES OF THE FUTURE Thursday, November 14, 2024 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.
Looking Ahead to September
As we close the doors on the final Junior Maker Camp in August, and enjoy that rising chill in the air, we must bid summer 2024 a very fond farewell. As ever, the end of summer is a bittersweet time. We have LOVED every minute of camp and partnership programs. That being said, we have a lot to look forward to in the coming months! What we are EXCITED about: September is shaping up to be a whirlwind! Check out the calendar and see where you can join us! Front and center on our list is the Soap Box Derby that will take place at the Whoopie Pie Festival downtown on September 14th! We have 7 incredible teams, and our make days have been in full swing. We cannot
wait to see these cars flying down Center Street!
Soap Boxes being built for the Soap Box Derby at the Whoopie Pie Festival.
We are also excited about our fall class lineup! We have a whole bunch posted and many more in the pipeline, so make sure to check back regularly.
🌞🎉 Join Rutland Young Professionals for a Grown-Up Summer Camp Mixer at Bomoseen State Park! 🎉🌞
Rutland Young Professionals invites you to our monthly mixer on Saturday, August 31st! This month, we're embracing the summer vibes with a Grown-Up Summer Camp theme.
📅 *Date*: Saturday, August 31st
🕒 *Time*: 12pm - 6pm
📍 *Location*: Bomoseen State Park, Bomoseen, VT
We'll be taking to the beach at Bomoseen State Park for a day filled with professional networking, delicious burgers, and hot dogs. This is the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow young professionals in a fun, relaxed setting.
This event is *bring your own beverage* and *bring your own chair*, so pack your cooler and beach gear, and get ready for a fantastic time!
Don't miss out on this unique chance to enjoy the great outdoors while expanding your professional network. We can't wait to see you there! Learn more about RYP→
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.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
GEAR Quarterly Session - September
September 11 | 12-1:30 p.m. Vermont Works for Women’s Gender Equity Advancement Roundtable (GEAR) is a space for businesses, nonprofits, schools, and advocates to learn about best practices and policies for supporting women in the workplace. For a one-time annual fee, GEAR members receive an invitation to four roundtable sessions each year, where they have the opportunity to hear from gender equity experts and network with other professionals who are equally invested in
supporting women’s economic independence. Quarterly GEAR Sessions take place virtually from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm. If you are already a GEAR member, email Margaret at moverman@vtworksforwomen.org to get the meeting link.
Intro to CONNEX VT and the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN)
September 12 | 10-11 a.m. | Zoom Meeting | Free Launched last summer, the Supply Chain Optimization and Intelligence Network (SCOIN) expands the MEP National Network’s scope from working primarily with individual companies to taking a more comprehensive approach to manufacturing supply chains. The initiative will help establish new MEP service offerings to provide manufacturers with what they need to improve existing supply chain networks and fill gaps in the supply chain. VMEC is the official representative of the MEP National Network in Vermont.
Entrepreneurship for Veterans
September 18 | 10-11 a.m. | Online Join the VBOC of New England to explore entrepreneurship. Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Your hard work can provide several personal benefits such as being your own boss, setting your own schedule, and earning money doing something you enjoy. Your military connection is an asset, and your transferable skills can result in successful business ownership. We discuss if entrepreneurship is right for you! The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is a core resource partner of the US Small Business Administration. We are designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such
as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. Learn more at vbocnewengland.org
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