A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a federally defined planning process used to guide a region’s economic growth over a five-year period. The process brings together public, private, nonprofit, and academic stakeholders to:
Analyze the regional economy
Define shared economic goals and priorities
Identify key investment opportunities
Align local needs with potential funding sources
CEDS plans are important because many federal and state funding agencies, including the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), use them to evaluate the eligibility and impact of grant applications. A project that aligns with a region’s CEDS is more likely to attract support and funding.
Southern Vermont’s first CEDS was developed for the Windham Region in 2014 by SeVEDS (Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies) and is being implemented by BDCC.
In 2019, the plan was expanded to include Bennington County and now serves the entire Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone, a coordinated effort to address regional challenges and opportunities across town and county lines.
The 2024 CEDS update builds on this collaborative foundation and reflects current economic trends, emerging opportunities, and long-term goals for the Southern Vermont region.
While the CEDS sets the strategic vision, the Southern Vermont CEDS Projects are the individual initiatives that align with that vision.
Each year, regional partners and community organizations are invited to submit projects that support the goals outlined in the CEDS plan. These can include:
Workforce development programs
Infrastructure investments
Entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives
Housing or transportation efforts
Community resilience projects
Projects included on the official Southern Vermont CEDS Project List are reviewed and prioritized based on their potential to make a regional impact. Those labeled “CEDS Vital Projects” are considered the highest priority. Those are the projects with strong regional support and significant potential for economic transformation.
Important Note:
Inclusion on the CEDS Project List does not guarantee funding. However, it strengthens a project’s competitiveness, especially for federal EDA grants and other funding sources.
BDCC is Southeastern Vermont’s private, nonprofit, rural Economic Development Organization that serves as a catalyst for economic success so the people, businesses, and communities here can thrive.
