BDCC’s Welcoming Workplaces Wins Gold “Excellence in Economic Development” Award from International Economic Development Council
Brattleboro, VT– The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation’s Welcoming Workplaces training has received a gold award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in the category of Talent Development and Retention for communities with a population between 25k and 200k people. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. BDCC’s Welcoming Workplaces initiative focuses on building employer best practices in recruiting and retaining BIPOC and foreign-born Vermonters. It is a talent recruitment, attraction, and support program designed to increase the size and quality of our region’s dwindling workforce.
The project is part of the Southern Vermont Working Communities Challenge, a collaborative, multi-stakeholder project with a goal of attracting 1,000 New Vermonters by 2030. “The Working Communities Challenge effort in Southern Vermont is a key part of the goal to build a vibrant, inclusive economy that works for everyone,” added Stephen Michon, Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Working Communities efforts in Northern New England. “Their work has encouraged business, municipal leaders, non-profit organizations and economic development to collaborate, stretch beyond ‘business as usual’ and re-charge their economy with a new labor force.”
Welcoming Workplaces has three distinct focus areas, all requiring innovative partnerships and strong working relationships that span multiple sectors and industries. These focus areas are fostering greater workplace inclusivity, employer-driven workforce development programming targeted for English-language learners, and partnerships with immigrant support organizations.
With support from the Vermont Community Foundation, BDCC partnered with Burlington-based Nuwave Equity Corporation to develop and deliver diversity, equity, and inclusivity training to employers across Windham and Bennington Counties. It focused on small and medium-sized employers that often lack the resources to invest in these trainings. Emiliano Void, founder and CEO of Nuwave, says “Working hand in hand with vested community partners like the BDCC, in support of the Welcoming Workplaces training, creates a unique opportunity to connect Vermont businesses to historically underrepresented and underserved communities, in a holistic framework that fosters genuine success and inclusion for all involved. Exactly the kind of partnership and program we’re excited to be a part of.”
Since the start of this project, Windham County has welcomed 200 refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Latin America, and Africa. 93% of jobseekers have found employment in high-demand occupations, including wood products and services, non-durable goods manufacturing, construction, and shipping and logistics. The average wage of Windham County New Vermonters served is $18.15/hour.
“I am truly astounded and impressed by our employer partners who are going above and beyond to create welcoming, inclusive, and equitable workplaces. This program wouldn’t be possible without the leadership and commitment of Amir Samar, our Employment Specialist, who works tirelessly to ensure folks thrive in the workplace” says Alex Beck, Welcoming Communities Manager. “I have not met harder workers than our new neighbors, and as they seek security and stability in a new community, it’s a pleasure to support their career aspirations as they enter- and uplift- Southern Vermont’s workforce.”.
More information about the local initiative can be found at www.welcomingcommunitiesvt.com
About Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC)
The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth throughout Southeastern Vermont, including Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, Winhall and Weston. BDCC serves as the State of Vermont’s certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) for the greater Windham County area. BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. This BDCC activity was made possible in part by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. For more information visit: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/
About IEDC
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,300 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers typically work for cities, counties, states, public-private partnerships, and chambers of commerce and promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experiences. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities, and a variety of other institutions. IEDC’s members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions.
