We need volunteers for the Whoopie Pie Festival. Can you help?
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Read on for:
Whoopie Pie Festival | Volunteers Needed | Business Survey | Act 64 Informational Meeting |
What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT |
Membership Spotlight | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
Whoopie! The Whoopie Pie Festival Schedule of Events
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is excited to host the Whoopie Pie Festival again this year, on Saturday, September 16 from 12:00-5:00 p.m. on Merchants Row and Center Street!
Sample whoopie pies from over a dozen bakers, watch Dream Maker Bakers assemble a 700-pound whoopie pie, enjoy live entertainment like The Red Trouser Show, eat from food trucks, and much more! Check out our schedule of events above!
This event is sponsored by Heritage Family Credit Union.
Volunteers for the Whoopie Pie Festival
We need your help to make the Second Annual Whoopie Pie Festival a success!
Please sign up to volunteer at the link below. There are about 40 opportunities left that range from one to two hours. Descriptions for each job are listed on the website.
Community and Belonging: Employee Attraction and Retention Survey for Business Owners
In collaboration with the work underway at Social Tinkering, the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region is interested in knowing how both organizations can support you with information relating to retaining and attracting a skilled, dedicated, and happy workforce. Research continues to highlight that successful businesses and organizations have found value in creating and supporting an environment based upon a positive climate of Community and Belonging, with diversity-equity-inclusion (DEI) as a basic premise. Positive and inclusive workplaces are critical to attracting and retaining employees and contribute significantly to the overall success of businesses and community economies.
The survey results will help populate a website with resources for community coordination, learning, and evolving workplace culture to help businesses successfully meet their workforce needs. It focuses on the premise that creating inclusive and welcoming work environments is key to attracting and retaining committed, productive, and content employees. This survey does not ask for your business name, just your thoughts and needs. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with guidance and direction as we build a resource library for our community of businesses.
This survey should take about 3 minutes to complete.
Act 64 Informational Meeting with Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Property owners impacted by 3-acre stormwater permitting and regulatory requirements in stormwater-impaired watersheds are invited to an informational meeting on Wednesday, September 20, from 3:00-4:30 pm at The Hub CoWorks - 67 Merchants Row, Downtown Rutland.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - Staff from the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Stormwater Program and Water Infrastructure Finance Program will present by:
· Reviewing Act 64’s purpose relating to water quality standards and stormwater regulatory requirements
· Current Agency procedures for providing outreach and information to property owners
· Support available to property owners
· Question & Answer
Please RSVP by Monday, September 18, to Lyle Jepson, Executive Director at the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region at Lyle@rutlandeconomy.com.
If you have questions about the meeting, feel free to reach out to Senator Terry Williams at 802-342-7306 or Lyle Jepson at 802-773-2748.
Rutland County Receives HUD Grand Funding
Governor Phil Scott announced recipients of $3.6 million is U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding. Of this, $2.6 million was allocated to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), both Rutland County recipients fall into the CDBG category.
- Town of Proctor - $60,000 CDBG award to support the site feasibility study, and environmental analysis for light industrial use activities at the portion of the former Marble Company building that is currently vacant.
- City of Rutland - $900,000 CDBG award to rehabilitate and preserve 22 units of existing affordable rental housing.
Casella Relief Fund Approaches $100,000 in Partnership with United Way of Rutland County
In response to the recent flooding throughout Vermont, the United Way of Rutland County (UWRC) in partnership with Casella Waste Systems is pleased to announce that the recently established Casella Relief Fund is approaching the $100,000 milestone and has begun to administer its first round of grants.
The frontline employees at Casella were called to action providing critical cleanup infrastructure to help maintain public health and environmental safety throughout the State of Vermont. This led to the company establishing the Casella Relief Fund with a $25,000 donation, and pledge to match the first $25,000 donated by its employees, vendors, and customers. The match was reached in less than two weeks, and as of August 14, the fund is approaching $100,000.
Flood Property Buyouts
Grant funding is available to cover 100% of the cost for voluntary buyouts of residential, commercial, and vacant parcels. Eligible properties include those that flooded in July and those that were spared but are at risk of future flooding.
If a property owner is considering pursuing a voluntary buyout, or if a municipality has property owners who may be interested, please fill out this intake form. Vermont Emergency Management will then direct you to the appropriate application materials in the next few weeks.
SBA Physical Disaster Loans Can Help Fund Mitigation Measures
Vermont residents and businesses approved for a disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) due to severe storms and flooding from July 7 through July 17, 2023, have two years from the date of their loan approval to request an increase to prevent or minimize damages from similar disasters in the future. Mitigation funds from the SBA are an affordable way for survivors to rebuild smarter, stronger, and pay for improvements that protect life and property.
Businesses and homeowners may be eligible for a loan increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, to cover the cost of improvements. Those measures can include regrading or terracing landscaping to improve drainage, installing a French drain, installing a sump pump, installing a diverter to change to path of water flowing from the roof, installing a backflow value, and more. Also, mitigation can be used to install a safe room or storm shelter built to Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines.
Efficiency Vermont Flood Recovery Funds Available September 5
Starting September 5th, Efficiency Vermont will launch new flood recovery programs making $36 million available to assist Vermont homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by the summer floods. The programs will help income-eligible Vermonters with costs related to replacing home heating systems, water heating systems, and other home appliances. Efficiency Vermont will also help businesses replace equipment damaged or destroyed by the floods.
Rutland Regional Youth Opportunity Forum Next Month
Join the Vermont Council on Rural Development (VCRD) on September 12 from 5:30-7:00 pm at The Hub CoWorks in Downtown Rutland for a conversation on youth opportunity and aspiration in Vermont! The VCRD wants to hear how it can improve opportunities for youth in our communities.
Whether you are a young person with a vision for the future or an adult with ideas on how to make a difference, all input is wanted and welcomed.
The Youth Opportunity Initiative is an effort of the Future of Vermont Action Team within the Vermont Proposition. The process will be facilitated by the Vermont Council on Rural Development.
CONNEX Vermont Launches - Strengthening the Vermont and Domestic Manufacturing Supply Chain
CONNEX Vermont is now connecting buyers and suppliers in Vermont and nationwide.
Thanks to VMEC's Supply Chain grant, anyone who registers their company will have Vermont access for life. If you sign up by November 20, 2023, you will receive a free year of full national access.
Free Weatherization Training
Vermont Adult Learning Program Energy Works trains Vermonters for careers in the Green Energy sector by providing experienced instructors along with hands-on learning. Walk away in one 1.5 weeks with an industry-recognized certification.
The upcoming free weatherization training at BROC is September 11-20. Receive a $500 stipend upon completion of training and an additional $500 after 60 days of employment. Transportation support is available when possible, plus childcare stipends, and lunch and snacks are provided during all training days.
Summer Camps End as School Begins
We are wrapping up the summer schedule at The MINT. Last week, we hosted over 29 local youth at our End-of-Summer Camp. Each day featured a different topic: Egg Engineering, Sewing and Handicrafts to Climate Change and Erosion, and much more!
This was our final of five week-long, full-day camps this summer. That accounts for more than 6,000 learning and STEAM engagement hours this summer! A BIG thanks to the Vermont Agency of Education for the grant funding to make camp completely free for all youth, regardless of income. An even BIGGER thanks goes out to our Educator Coordinator, Corty Allard and our AMAZING staff: Cymbre, Mary, Christie, Morgan, Emilia, Bronson, Tristan, Emma, Giovanni, Alexis, Lisa, Margo, and Bobby. We could not provide youth programming without this stellar crew.
We recently hosted RNL & Associates for a team building class in Stained Glass. We loved having the crew here, learning new skills alongside each other, creating an opportunity for them to spend time together outside of their normal day-to-day.
We would LOVE to host your corporate team-building opportunity, too. If this is something you are interested in, contact kim@rutlandmint.org to discuss your team’s interests!
RYP Mix Recap and Save the Date
Rutland Young Professionals is an all-volunteer, all-inclusive organization focused on creating a vibrant Rutland Region and promoting all of the opportunities available here to young professionals near and far. We were founded in July of 2013 by a group of energetic young professionals seeking a way to connect with other people, jobs, volunteer and mentorship opportunities, professional development, and fun.
Upcoming Events:
· Save the Date for our September Mix at Baird Farm on September 7
Thank you to those who attended our August Mix at Otter Creek Fun Center. The food, ice cream, and golf were a hit!
CEDRR would like to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership:
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.
RN Care Manager - Pediatrics
Community Health is seeking an RN Care Manager - Pediatrics to join their team.
Nursing Home Care Coordinator
Community Health is seeking a Nursing Home Care Coordinator to join their team.
Real Estate Paralegal
Facey Goss & McPhee P.C. is seeking a Real Estate Paralegal to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
Am I Doing This Right?! Business Basics Drop-In Sessions with Ronda Berns
AUGUST 29 | 5:30-7:00 PM | VIRTUAL
You aren't alone! Join CWEVT trusted experts in a relaxed, welcoming drop-in session to get your questions answered and connect with other clients! This is a 'business basics' session where you can check your thinking and get some insight into the next steps if you're feeling stuck.
To prepare for the session:
- Consider making a list of questions/freak-outs you're having around your business
- Make sure you can answer:
- Who is my ideal customer?
- What is my product/service?
- What problem am I solving?
Share Business Class: How to Start and Grow a Successful Business
SEPTEMBER 5, CONTINUES FOR 6 WEEKS EVERY TUESDAY| 7:00 PM | HYBRID
StartUp Rutland, the region’s technology-driven business incubator located at The Hub CoWorks, is pleased to continue our second business education service in partnership with Share Business Growth Strategies, LLC of New England and Florida.
How to Start and Grow a Successful Business is a program with two opportunities for current or would-be small business owners who desire comprehensive knowledge for creating their business plan with a focus on positive cash flow. The program is the brainchild of long-time business consultant and retired bank executive Bruce Share.
12th Annual Best Practices Exchange
SEPTEMBER 20-21 | KILLINGTON GRAND RESORT HOTEL
Efficiency Vermont's 12th Annual Best Practices Exchange will host approximately 200 Vermont-based commercial and industrial (C&I) sector businesses at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel, September 20-21.
If you still need to sign up, registration is free for attendees from non-sponsoring organizations, but advance RSVP is required. Registration includes pre-event activities on Wednesday, September 20 (golf, mountain biking, networking reception), and breakfast, lunch, and presentations on Thursday, September 21.
