Southern Vermont Economy Summit
May 12-14th, 2021
Recordings and Materials
Guest Blog Posts- Takeaways from the Summit
A Balance Between Historic Preservation and Mothballing Our Future
By Keith Marks
This is Good for Us All
An interview with
Mary Gannon
Change is Good, Right Up Until it Happens
By Peter "Fish" Case
What About the Fence?
An Interview with
Diana Wahle
Vermont Values: Fresh Perspectives on Economic Growth
By Cristy Carretero
Bureaucracy-- More Like "Bureaucrazy"
By Michael Keane
Change Through Placemaking
By Marion Major
Summit Sessions
The Future of Federal Rural Policy
Keynote Speaker: Tony Pipa, Brookings Institution, Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development, Center for Sustainable Development
Introductions: Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Closing: Debbie Boyle, Senior Vice President of People's United Bank
Sponsored by People's United Bank and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
With a new administration and growing focus on the needs of rural America, what’s possible? Hear from rural policy expert Tony Pipa about changes coming to rural programs and funding, and what this means for communities like ours.
New to Vermont Lunch Series: COVID Newcomers: Here to Stay?
Host: Keith Marks, Next Stage Arts Project, Putney
Panelists: Michael Henaghan, Filmmaker, Wilmington
John Getchell, Blue Benn Diner, Bennington
Zelda Beckford, New Chapter, Amherst, MA
Heather Brubaker, Putney
Sponsored by Green Mountain Power and VELCO
The #1 objective of our regional economic plan is to increase population - this means retaining young people, regaining “returners” who left, and attracting newcomers. But what does that really mean? In this lunch series, we’ll look at demographic growth from three angles and talk with real people, your new (or returning) neighbors.
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In today's session, we'll focus on those newcomers who moved to the area because of COVID-19. The pandemic has brought the greatest influx of newcomers since 9/11. Lots of questions have been asked like who are they, will they stay, what is the opportunity and what is the impact? Thanks to efforts in Putney and the Deerfield Valley, we have a chance to connect with some of them directly and learn what attracted them to Vermont, and what’s next.
In Conversation with Governor Scott and Lt. Governor Gray: Envisioning Southern Vermont's Future
& The Future Talks Back: Young Professional Town Hall
Special Guests: Governor Phil Scott and Lt. Governor Molly Gray
Interviewer: Mike Cutler, Catamount Access TV
Introductions: Senator Becca Balint
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Town Hall Facilitator: Representative Emilie Kornheiser and Olga Peters
Young Professional Panelists: Alex Figueroa, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Beth Wallace, Bennington County Head Start
Alyssa Pelow, Trend Business Solutions
Bob Davis, Brattleboro Savings & Loan
Amanda Normand, The Richards Group
Tatiana Abatemarco, Bennington College
As the 2021 Legislative Session winds down, hear from state leaders on what’s next for Vermont and what this means for our region.
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Part One: pre-recorded interview hosted by Mike Cutler of Catamount TV. The Governor and Lt. Governor will address questions from young professionals about the future of our economy.
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Part Two is a discussion about our regional economic future, among young professionals in a town hall format, facilitated by Representative Emilie Kornheiser.
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Everyone is welcome to attend this session.
Reframing Growth, Vetting our Values
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Facilitator: Ted Brady, Vermont League of Cities and Towns and Catlin O'Shaughnessy Coffrin, Captivating Co.
Presenter: Jonathan Cooper, Bennington County Regional Commission
Panelists: Virginia and Peter Vogel, Backroads Granola
Elizabeth Buckley, Vishay Intertechnology
Michael Alexander, Recycle Away
Elise Di Feo, Two One Ceramics
Sponsored by the Vermont Futures Project
Let’s be honest, it’s hard to talk about economic growth in Vermont without raising concerns about development sprawl, pollution, corporate greed, and capitalism run amok. Join us for a look “under the hood” at some of the region's fast-growing businesses to learn what they do, and how Vermont Values frame their approach, like investing in people, innovation, and quality workmanship that sets their products apart in the global marketplace.
New to Vermont Lunch Series: New American to New Vermonter
Host: Kate Paarlberg-Kvam, Community Asylum Seekers Project
Panelists: Maira Tungatarova, SIT World Learning
Dora Urujeni, Community Asylum Seekers Project
Beatríz Gutierrez, Community Asylum Seekers Project (C. Carretero, Interpreter)
Samba Diallo, AIDS Project of Southern Vermont
Sponsored by Green Mountain Power and VELCO
The #1 objective of our regional economic plan is to increase population - this means retaining young people, regaining “returners” who left, and attracting newcomers. But what does that really mean? In this lunch series, we’ll look at demographic growth from three angles and talk with real people, your new (or returning) neighbors.
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In today's session, we'll focus on attracting newcomers who originally hail from outside of the US. Workforce demand is as high as ever, with regional jobs unfilled in many sectors including medical, manufacturing, logistics, and construction. With a new administration re-starting immigration, and the Governor’s stated commitment, how can Vermont’s gateway region take this new opportunity to provide a welcoming place for those New Vermonters to land?
​Applying an Equity Lens to Vermont: Structural Solutions for Structural Problems
Keynote Speaker: Xusana Davis, Executive Director of Racial Equity, State of Vermont
Introductions: Steffen Gillom, President, Windham County NAACP
Mia Schultz, President, Rutland County NAACP
From the legacy of historic barriers to property ownership, to ongoing tension about who is a "Vermonter", inequity based on race, ethnicity and origin impact us all in substantive and subtle ways. Since being named Vermont’s Executive Director of Racial Equity in 2019, Xusana Davis has been working with state agencies to identify structural solutions to structural barriers to equity. Xusana applies an "equity lens" to look at three key areas: fiscal impact, equity impact and operational impact.
Small Scale Changes to Strengthen Our Towns
Facilitator: Danny Lichtenfeld, Brattleboro Museum and Art
Panelists: David West, Town of Danby, NY
Paul Stewart, Oswego Renaissance Association
Patrick Fisher, Erie Arts and Culture
Raude Raychel, Indonesian Community Connect
Four inspiring stories of initiatives that have engaged community members to overcome negative expectations to create new beauty, value, energy, and investment. Our guests will highlight planning, arts and culture, diversity, and social capital in their projects, hailing from Oswego, NY; Tompkins County, NY; Erie, PA; and Somersworth, NH.
New to Vermont Lunch Series: How New People Generate New Opportunities for Our Communities
Host: Peter Case, Fishhook Communications
Panelists: Bill Anton, Windham Central Supervisory Union- On Schools
Gretchen Havreluk, Town of Wilmington- On Municipalities
Matt Harrington, Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce- On Businesses
Sponsored by Green Mountain Power and VELCO
The #1 objective of our regional economic plan is to increase population - this means retaining young people, regaining “returners” who left, and attracting newcomers. But what does that really mean? In this lunch series we’ll look at demographic growth from three angles and talk with real people, your new (or returning) neighbors.
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In today's session, we'll focus on how newcomers and returners are helping our communities thrive. From childcare and food systems, cultural organizations to startups, these folks are playing a vital role in every aspect of the region’s economy. Hear from local leaders whose organizations and businesses are being recharged by your new neighbors.
Community as Corporation: Talent-Retention in Low Status America
Keynote Speaker: Majora Carter, Social-Enterprise Pioneer, Majora Carter Group
Introductions: Skye Morse, M&S Development
Closing: Jason Dolmetsch, President, MSK Engingeering & Design
Sponsored by MSK Engineering, Stevens & Associates, and M&S Development
"Nobody should have to move out of their neighborhood to live in a better one.” These words, etched on the walls of the Smithsonian Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington D.C, were spoken by Majora Carter, real estate developer, urban revitalization strategy consultant, MacArthur Fellow and Peabody Award winning broadcaster. Carter focuses on vision and strategies for talent-retention to reduce Brain Drain and transform low-status communities into thriving local economies. Majora Carter will close out the Summit on Friday.
Summit Hosts
