Heritage Family Credit Union to host December mixer.
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Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Read on for:
CEDRR Holiday Mixer | A Successful Grand Opening and Annual Meeting for CEDRR | StartUp Rutland Program Director Announced |
What's New in Rutland County | Made at The MINT |
Membership Spotlight | Career Hub | Upcoming Events
CEDRR Holiday Mixer Hosted by HFCU
Tuesday, December 13, 2022, Heritage Family Credit Union will host the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region's Holiday Mixer.
The event will take place at the Ron Hance Operations Center located at 26 Allen Street in Rutland, next door to the main branch.
A cash bar and appetizers will be provided by East Creek Catering. There will be raffles including grand prizes such as four round-trip Cape Air tickets to Boston, a hotel and spa package, gift certificates to local restaurants, and a one-month membership to The Gymnasium. We will use business cards from this year's previous mixers for the raffles, so the more mixers you attended, the better your chances are of winning!
The Hub CoWorks Grand Opening and CEDRR's Annual Meeting, Nov. 14, 2022.
A Successful Grand Opening for The Hub CoWorks and CEDRR's Annual Meeting Award Winners
Monday, November 14, 2022, over 300 people showed their support at the Annual Meeting for the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), as well as the Grand Opening of The Hub CoWorks, Rutland's newest co-working space.
The Grand Opening was such a success, many people have returned to discuss memberships, and those who missed the event have reached out for private tours.
During the Annual Meeting portion of the night, CEDRR's awards were given to those who have stood out in our community over the last year. Innovator of the Year award was given to Jeff DeJarnette. Megan Wagner and her team at Dream Maker Bakers received the Business leader of the Year award. John Casella II was named the Community Leader of the Year. CEDRR's Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Rick Gile.
Program Director Announced for StartUp Rutland
The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is pleased to announce the hiring of Scott Graves as StartUp Rutland’s inaugural Program Director.
Graves is relocating to the area from Gardner, Massachusetts. He was most recently an Independent Consultant for SMGraves Associates, a company he founded, which focuses on building sustainable enterprise through community-minded entrepreneurship.
In his new role with CEDRR, he will be responsible for helping launch StartUp Rutland, a business incubator located within The Hub CoWorks, Rutland’s newest co-working facility. Graves will provide strategic programming direction for the functionality of StartUp Rutland, serve as liaison to the business community, supervise staff, and support members through the business incubator. In addition to StartUp Rutland, Graves will help operationalize the use of The Hub CoWorks.
Seeking Brochures for Our New Location
The Chamber and Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) has completed its move from 50 Merchants Row to 67 Merchants Row (The Opera House) and we are looking to replenish our supply of local brochures for businesses/non-profits in Rutland County.
We currently provide brochures to visitors who stop by our office, as well as those who visit Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport and the Visitor Center at the Amtrak Station. We also mail out information to people who call and request information about the area and we would like to include as much area information as possible to showcase Rutland County.
For more information or to schedule a pickup of your materials, please contact Chrispin White at chrispin@rutlandeconomy.com or 802-770-7066.
Businesses Needed for the PERK Card Program
We are looking for PERK card contributors!
Our extremely popular Membership PERK Card is one of the most widely-used and highly-valued benefits of being a member of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region. All member businesses receive one free PERK card for every member of their organization.
Please email Lori at lori@rutlandeconomy.com with the PERK you’d like to offer!
Rutland County Communities Awarded AARP Grants
Six communities within Vermont were awarded AARP Vermont grants as part of the Winter Placemaking Project. The grants are $4,000 each and are intended for "creating and reinventing public spaces to improve safety, accessibility, and overall appeal on a temporary or permanent basis." Two of those awarded communities are in Rutland County.
In Rutland, Come Alive Outside will build and manage two outdoor gear libraries and monthly activities for older Vermonters at the Godnick Adult Day Center and in Downtown Rutland. The organizations will also work to provide three months of free outdoor winter activities for older adults focused on using the winter gear available to access the outdoors during the winter.
In Mendon, the town will create a "Snowshoe Saturday" program by providing five snowshoe lessons and activities for older adults. The Town will also work to install two ADA-accessible picnic tables and will install wayfinding signs highlighting the access to the trails.
The Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund Supports Two Local Projects
The Climate Catalyst Innovation Fund, launched by the Vermont Council on Rural Development, supports innovative local projects for which a small grant could have a meaningful impact at the community level. The grants ranging from $500-4,000, can be awarded to a municipality, school, non-profit organization, or business.
All projects must be unique, serve as a model for others, create deep collaboration, address the needs of historically marginalized Vermonters, reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, reduce total energy use, and/or increase renewable energy consumption in Vermont, and determine if the grant would unlock other funds or support.
BurnRight Vermont in Rutland was one of the awardees. Its grant will be used "to help educate and inform Vermonters on how to burn wood cleanly and more efficiently."
SolarFest in Brandon was another awardee. The grant will be used "to offer a "Do It Ourselves" program to train volunteers and clients (especially low-income homeowners and apartment dwellers, as well as their landlords) in successfully weathering homes with simple steps and basic tools and materials that they purchase on a 'pay what you can afford' basis."
"Beginner's Mind," by Lopi LaRoe. Photo courtesy of Colleen Goodhue, Seven Days.
Vermont ACCD Commissioner's Comments on Creative Placemaking with Better Places Grant Projects
"Across Vermont, you'll discover public art installations, unique sculptures, and beautiful murals in downtowns, villages, and rural places. Local artists help elevate the history and culture of our brave little state, from all perspectives and bring diverse and new community voices into the public realm for all to enjoy.
Arts and culture are alive and well throughout our state and many this past year are being supported through DHCD’s Better Places program. From Rutland’s Beginner’s Mind Mural on City Hall to the High Street Mural on the old retaining wall in Downtown
Brattleboro, to a community-led mural on the Stowe recreation path, local artists are tapping into the Better Places program to add delight, inspiration, and vibrancy to Vermont’s special places.
Beyond murals and other creative efforts, the Better Places program has brought a diversity of placemaking efforts to life including creating places to gather, learn, create, recover, recreate, and enjoy the company of neighbors and friends. One of the best things about these Better Places projects is that they are community-driven, people-focused, and advance grassroots initiatives that build community, add vitality, and social connection during a much-needed time.
Today, we’d like to share some of the recent creative placemaking efforts supported through DHCD’s Better Places program which are inspiring belonging and building connections throughout the state."
Josh Hanford, Commissioner
Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development
The Season of Being Thankful at The MINT
Many folks dub this time of year, “The Season of Giving” and this week, in particular, is a time of Giving Thanks.
At The MINT, we are full of thanks: thankful for our members, without whom we would not have the energy and creativity that fuels the work we do. Thankful for the raw materials of wood, clay, glass, metal, fiber, paper, ink, light, and so much more. Thankful for the time and dedication given - for years - in support of our organization from board members and volunteers. Thankful for the expert instructors who lead and learn alongside our students - youth and adults. Thankful for the amazing partnerships and collaborations that have long been a part of our mission and for the new opportunities we explore today. And, we are thankful for the CEDRR community and the business community, for your continued applause and excitement.
Will Buck, CEDRR’s communication intern from Castleton University, made a fantastic video that captures some of what we do at The MINT. If you haven’t yet stood in front of the window at 53 Merchants Row to watch it, you can catch it right here.
Speaking of 53 Merchants Row (Thankful for Mark Foley and his crew for their help this November), if you haven’t yet stopped in, be sure to do so! Traveling for the holidays? Snag a host gift from the shop! We’re open Wednesday, 11:30-6:30.
We also have a bunch of upcoming classes so that you can craft some gifts of your own!
Introduction to Stained Glass offers the basics of stained glass work. Everyone will go home with a completed piece and the beginner skills to continue the craft.
Mend, Hem, & Sew is for anyone who wants to learn how to use a sewing machine and get oriented to the MINT textiles space. Beginners welcome!!
Letterpress for Beginners will get your foot in the door of the Letterpress shop. In order to work independently in Letterpress you will need this foundational course.
Back to that thought on “The Season of Giving”... If you haven’t yet supported the work of The MINT, please consider doing so this year. We are in a stage of growth and exciting development. Your support is felt and appreciated now and as we look ahead into the future of The MINT in Rutland.
Welcome to Our New Member
The Cluckin’ Cafe & Culinary Institute was founded in the Fall of 2020, by Nicole and Scott Bower as an extension of their existing business, The Rollin’ Rooster, a pair of mobile food-trailers specializing in the best fried chicken in Vermont.
The first Rollin’ Rooster food trailer first hit the road in 2019 as the first step in Nicole's and Scott’s lifelong dream to own a restaurant. In the Spring of 2020, they added a second food-trailer and in 2021 added a third trailer to the fleet to help meet the extraordinary demand for their incredible chicken. Success
with the food trailers made it clear that Nicole and Scott needed a complete restaurant-kitchen if they were going to work their full magic.
As a certified teacher with a background in helping to run a culinary program at LiHigh School in Poultney, Nicole knew she had the experience and the passion for sharing her culinary skills with the next generation.
The Cluckin’ Cafe & Culinary Institute is located between Rutland and Pittsford on Route 7
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.
Head Start Lead Teacher
Rutland County Head Start Early Care & Education is seeking a Head Start Lead Teacher to join their team.
Human Resources Business Partner
Community Care Network is seeking a Human Resources Business Partner to join their team.
Senior Director of Information Management
Community Care Network is seeking a Senior Director of Information Management to join their team.
View Rutland County career opportunities & post your position →
Small Business Saturday
NOVEMBER 26
Saturday, November 26, is Small Business Saturday. The campaign was launched by American Express in 2010, to help small businesses gain exposure and inspire consumers to shop within their own communities during the holiday seasons.
An Inside Exit: Selling Your Business to Family, Managers, or Employees
DECEMBER 13 | 12:30-2:00 PM
Starting to think about ownership succession for your company? For many business owners, the best option is to sell to those already involved in the business, such as family members, managers, or the broader group of employees. In this 90-minute webinar, you will learn the basics of internal exit paths and how to prepare for them. Following an overview of general ownership succession principles and the business valuation process, we will take a close look at three ways of selling a business: to family members, to managers, and to the larger group of employees. The event is co-presented by the RDCs of Vermont, Vermont Small Business Development Center, Vermont Employee Ownership Center, and VMEC, with funding from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
This session is led by Certified Exit Planning Advisor John Davis of Davis and Hodgdon CPAs.
CEDRR Holiday Mixer at Heritage Family Credit Union
DECEMBER 13 | 5:00-7:00 PM
Come join in the holiday fun! Heritage Family Credit Union will host the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region's Holiday Mixer.
The event will take place at the Ron Hance Operations Center located at 26 Allen Street in Rutland, next door to the main branch.
A cash bar and appetizers will be provided by East Creek Catering. We will also raffle off grand prizes!
