Economically Speaking Serving the communities of: Andover, Baltimore, Cavendish, Chester, Ludlow, Reading, Springfield, Weathersfield, Windsor and West Windsor
Taking Stock of 2016 By Bob Flint, Executive Director
The year has flown by and, while we didn’t check everything off of the “to do” list (e.g. J & L Plant 1), we have made a lot of progress around the region. Here are a few items to celebrate and update as we turn the calendar to 2017:
Trout River Brewery – Trevor, Gabe and Kelen finished their build out and, by December, had introduced six (if I’m counting right!) different varieties of beer to the market. The company also received a Vermont downtown historic tax credit for their project. As we spoke about at the SRDC Annual Meeting, Trout River and Konrad Prefab are two examples of projects that we’ve been involved with all of the way, from concept to business planning and financing, to site selection and build out, to operation and production. And, in both cases, we’re grateful to have such great partners as our Small Business Development Center and Debra Boudrieau!
Konrad Prefab – Later in this newsletter are pictures from the recent Ribbon Cutting event with Congressman Peter Welch. It’s been exciting to see David Jaacks’ vision come to life and the partnership he has with Mamava is going to be a win-win on lots of levels. All of the businesses in the Jones Center have had great years and it’s always exciting to see the building humming with activity.
Blake Hill Preserves – Governor Shumlin was on hand for this Ribbon Cutting event this fall, to celebrate the completion of the new 6,000 sf facility that SRDC built for this new business in Windsor’s Artisans Park. We are so happy for our friends Vicky Allard and Joe Hanglin, who have built this business from their kitchen into national distribution. We also appreciate our continued partnership with Terry McDonnell.
J & L/Bryants – Patience is a virtue. And, I need to stop making predictions when it comes to these properties. These are among the lessons I have to finally learn in 2017! Having said that, both of these projects have taken significant steps forward this year. In the case of Bryants, SRDC has invested roughly $300,000 in the south end of the building and is anticipating spending around that amount in the near future. This will result in a 35,000 sf space that is clean, environmentally, secure and watertight. It now has electricity again and we will continue to restore functionality as we prepare the area for occupancy.
As for J & L, there is a lot of activity to prepare for the “main event” (demolition and redevelopment). Doug and I signed off on the demo specs this week and asbestos cleanup plans are in their final stages. EPA was in town last week(for the 3rd time since spring) to gather information as we continue to work with them for additional assistance. The Town of Springfield also received funding for extending the Toonerville Trail to run behind the Jones Center and J & L, which hopefully will coincide with the site activity.
Windsor/WIC – SRDC has continued to increase its partnership with Windsor Improvement Corporation (WIC) and the Town of Windsor. We now provide administrative and project assistance to WIC and we appreciate the increased level of financial support! Paul Kowalski is working with WIC on its recent purchase of properties in the Jarvis Street/Riverfront area and is developing plans for the repair/renovation of those houses.
And there’s much more, as we covered at the Annual Meeting!
2017 is shaping up to be a busy year with work on new downtown plans in Springfield and Chester, a new property to manage in Windsor, as well as establishing our first SRDC-owned revolving loan fund and other expansion/development projects I can’t comment on yet.
Thank you to our Board and all of SRDC’s members as well as our area communities and residents for the continued support. I also want to add a personal thanks to our staff – Sandy, Heather, Cynthia and Paul as well as our in-house partners – Debra, Ed and Robin.
On behalf of all of us at SRDC, best wishes for a joyous and peaceful holiday season and a wondrous 2017.
East Central Vermont Economic Development District
SRDC is busy with activities for the East Central Vermont Economic Development District! We are currently working on projects to build upon the recently completed Creative Economy report and Workforce Study for the area. We also will be working with our partners at the Southern Windsor County RPC to develop strategies to increase the grand lists of towns in our region.
Feel free to call or email us for more information about the ECVEDD or go to www.ecvedd.org
SRDC Region Now Part of Federal HUBZone
The HUBZone Program helps small businesses gain preferential access to Federal contracts due to limited development in areas with rural communities. The SRDC service area and several counties in Vermont, including Addison, Bennington, Orange, Rutland, Windsor and Windham, have recently been designated as “eligible”. Companies located in these areas (as well as Essex and Orleans county, which have had this designation) can qualify for the benefits of this program.
SRDC cosponsored a workshop on the HUBZone Program earlier this month and hope to have additional training events and webinars in the coming weeks to provide information on the Program for businesses, including how to qualify, as well as the process for certification and eligibility requirements. In the meantime, you can learn more about the HUBZone Program by contacting Ed Williams of the Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center, who’s part of the SRDC office, at 802-885-3061 or Ed.Williams@vermont.gov
Pat Moulton, former SRDC Executive Director and current Intermin President at Vermont Technical College, was our featured speaker at the SRDC Annual Meeting on November 2nd at the Windsor Mansion Inn. Pat announced that the Howard Dean Education Center would be one of the initial hubs for a new advanced manufacturing training program. SRDC and RVTC have been working closely with Vermont Tech on this for several months and are looking forward to having the program launch this winter. Jeff Lewis, with the Vermont Futures Project also spoke at the meeting. Jeff provided an update on the project, a data-driven initiative that promotes long-term economic health and opportunity for Vermont residents. We thank Pat and Jeff for taking time out of their busy schedules to speak to our group.
Written by Debra Boudrieau
SBDC Advisor Here is the next one of The Top 10 (now 12) Things I Say to Businesses Weekly.
Sorry, grant money is 99.9% of the time for NON-PROFITS ONLY.
Under no circumstances, if you are a for-profit business pay anyone who says they can get grants for you. They are scammers.
Non-profits can hire vetted grant writers on a consulting basis and most do.
Yes, I know, you know a person who knew a person who got a grant once too start their for-profit business. Please have them call me I would like to meet them. I am being a little sarcastic and I don’t mean to be. But this is a story we get a lot and it is a myth.
For-profit business in this country is about profit. And grants don’t support for-profit enterprises. Even for non-profits grant funding is scarce and highly competitive. So please don’t ask if you should become a non-profit if you don’t have a non-profit idea. The legal steps are long and arduous by nature and the new rule of thumb for non-profits is that grant money is only available to extend programs and not for operations.
The Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) announced on December 6, 2016, the distribution of several loans to various companies and agencies around the state. Springfield Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) received $78,253 for capital improvements to the Robert S. Jones Center in Springfield. This will make the property safer and more attractive to existing and potential future tenants. The project will include construction of ADA accessibility features, sidewalk and paving improvements, exterior lighting upgrades, and a new entry roof.
Hosted by Vermont Technical College (VTC) since 1995, VMEC operates as a not-for-profit with a primary mission, “To help improve and grow manufacturing in Vermont and strengthen the global competitiveness of the state’s manufacturers.” A local resource and trusted adviser to enterprises of all sizes, the VMEC Team brings world-class expertise in consulting, coaching, hands-on implementation support, training and education for leaders and workers.
The following Board members with expiring terms were re-elected to additional two-year terms: John Burton, President, Network Performance Inc (South Burlington); Bob Flint, Executive Director, Springfield Regional Development Corporation (Springfield); Mike Rainville, President, Maple Landmark, Inc.(Middlebury); Pat Wheeler, VP of Strategic Initiatives, Kaman Aerospace Group (Bennington); and Steve Wildermuth, VP North America Post Fab Operations, GlobalFoundries (Essex Junction). In addition, Mike Rainville was unanimously re-elected to a one-year term as the VMEC Board Chair.
Call Us Today at (802) 728-1432 Or Email Us at vmec@vmec.org
Connect with "The Best Resource for Vermont Manufacturers and Growing Organizations"
Vermont PTAC
Counselor: Ed Williams
Springfield: Mon., Tues., Fri.,
802-885-3061
Brattleboro: Wed., Thurs.
802-257-7731
SRDC Staff
Bob Flint,
Executive Director
Paul Kowalski,
Project Manager
Heather Hartford,
Project Manager
Sandy Clifford,
Office Manager
Cynthia Porter,
Finance Manager
SRDC Board of Directors
Doug Gurney
Bob Kendall
Mark Tanny
Jason Thom
John Tansey
Barbara LeMire
Dale Williamson
Sam Coleman
Ex-Officio Board Members
Tom Kennedy
Caitlin Christiana
Kristi Morris
Main Supporters
Town of Springfield
Town of Chester
Town of Windsor
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Members
Acrylic Design
ADS
All Seasons Constr.
Bibens Home Center
Black River Produce
Drew's All Natural
Efficiency Vermont
Graham & Graham, PC CPA
Gravity Renewables
Green Mountain Power
Gurney Bros. Constr.
HB Energy Solutions
IVEK
JELD - WEN
Kelley Sales & Service
Lawrence & Lober Electric Services
Lamb & McNaughton, PC
Lawrence & Wheeler
Lovejoy Tool
Mascoma Savings Bank
Merchants Bank
NewsBank
Okemo Mountain Resort
Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce
One Credit Union
Peoples United Bank
Image - Tek Mfg.
Precision Valley Communications
Prudent Living
River Valley Credit Union
Springfield Automart
Springfield Hospital
Springfield Printing
Springfield Realty
Town of Cavendish
Vermont Packing House
Vermont Timber Works
Von Bargen's Jewelry
VTel
WIC
Winstanley Enterprises, LLC
Wright Construction
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin joined Blake Hill Preserves owners Vicky Allard and Joe Hanglin and regional economic development representatives on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, for a ribbon-cutting and tour to celebrate the completion of a new $1.1 million project at Artisan's Park in Windsor. SRDC Executive Director Bob Flint said the SRDC board took a “leap of faith” on the project, and that he was thankful for their support, and to VEDA for the funding. Blake Hill Preserves offers seasonally fresh, locally grown, and creatively inspired jams, preserves, chutneys and marmalades.
Congressman Peter Welch did the honors on Monday, December 12, 2016, at the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Konrad Prefab’s new manufacturing facility in the Robert S. Jones Industrial Center in Springfield.
Konrad Prefab specializes in the design and production of modular and display units. Their initial product line are lactation suites, which will be distributed by Burlington Vermont-based Mamava. The suites will be installed in public facilities around the country to support nursing mothers.
Congressman Welch lauded the new business in Springfield. “It’s heartening to see a new, vibrant manufacturer in a community that’s synonymous with manufacturing globally.”
Still available is 1,000 sq. ft. of beautiful office space in Chester, VT. Hardwood floors, built in shelves, private bath, all utilities included. Please contact Paul Kendall at 802-885-2178, or pkendall@lawrenceandwheeler.com for more information.
The Great Hall at its holiday best! The Great Hall is underwritten by Springfield Regional Development Corporation
