In 2011 SeVEDS was formally established , in part, to begin to address the slow-motion disasters of economic and demographic decline afflicting the region. In this same time period, a major fire in the heart of downtown Brattleboro had shuttered numerous businesses and displaced dozens of residents. That Summer, Tropical Storm Irene caused widespread devastation throughout Vermont with some southern Vermont towns, notably Wilmington, Jamaica, and Londonderry amongst the most severely impacted. BDCC immediately began to work to coordinate with FEMA and the U.S. Economic Development Administration, to establish flood recovery support for impacted businesses. In early 2012, the State of Vermont asked for BDCC to step up and play a more active role in assessing impacts and mitigating damage across a broader four-county region in southern Vermont . Working closely with the Windham Regional Commission and local officials, BDCC took on the administering of federal disaster recovery funds – CDBG-DR (see below). Typically, federal programs and agencies work with county governments. It was clear that in the case of Vermont, regional agencies would need to play a more active role in disaster recovery to ensure every possible resource could be accessed successfully.
From that time on, BDCC has expanded its expertise and cemented its role as a critical partner in disaster recovery and relief for the region’s small businesses, non-profits and communities.
When floods ravaged Weston and Londonderry in July of 2023, BDCC staff were on the ground immediately to understand how local small businesses were impacted. Within days, the Vermont Community Foundation worked with BDCC to put rapid relief in the hands of small business owners. That summer, BDCC distributed $30,000 to 19 local businesses.
When COVID-19 arrived, hospitality and retail businesses and workers were immediately hit hard. Then, nonessential businesses and nonprofits began to feel the impacts. Within days of the state shutdown, BDCC began to survey businesses to understand their experience. 187 respondents reported laying off 41% of employees, with immediate losses over $12.6 million.
Based on those stunning losses, BDCC deployed its entire staff to call and email hundreds of businesses directly, ensuring local businesses and non-profits connected with state and federal relief programs. Through outreach, like the weekly “BERP” webinars and weekly meetings with local, state and federal officials, BDCC helped to ensure the Windham region’s organizations had the highest access to technical assistance, relief loans and grants.
That summer, BDCC helped the RDCs of Vermont launch a very successful program, REVTA – see more below. BDCC reviewed 264 Vermont nonprofit and small business applications to help them obtain state relief for $15.3 million in losses. BDCC administered regional and statewide programs in partnership with RDCs, VT SBDC and the State of Vermont through 2024 when the final CDBG-CV funds wrapped up.
The emergence of COVID-19 forced businesses and organizations to rethink their business model. The RDCs of Vermont created Restart Vermont Technical Assistance (ReVTA), a grant-funded program that helped small businesses and nonprofits to access access critical support to adapt to new economic conditions. In the Windham region, BDCC helped 57 ReVTA recipients employing 1,125 people access $157,062 in grants.
BDCC was also the statewide administrator of round 1 on behalf of the Regional Development Corporations (RDCs) of Vermont. As of program completion, the BDCC and RDCs of Vermont successfully coordinated $1,120,041 in technical assistance between client businesses and vendors. The Restart Vermont Technical Assistance Program (ReVTA) facilitated 436 successful technical assistance projects. At the end of the program, 640 businesses had registered for support with 527 of those accepted to receive assistance, 397 of whom completed a scope of work with an approved vendor. 387 businesses registered as technical assistance vendors, 229 of provided support. A total of 3,531 jobs were impacted as a result of ReVTA. All 12 RDCs including BDCC are participating in this program by deploying regional “navigators” (Field Recovery Navigators) to conduct outreach to vendors (TA provides) and businesses, and to provide technical assistance to businesses to develop and execute a SOW with the Vendor they select.
REVTA reporting:
More resources:
After the success of ReVTA, another similar program was funded to continue the critical work that ReVTA started. This new program was titled Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP). The idea was the same: connect Vermont businesses in need of business services to pivot to a post-COVID world with other Vermont Technical Assistance vendors to assist. CNPP was funded by the SBA. BDCC administered 41 grants totaling $135,235.
Learn more at https://www.vermonteconomicdevelopment.com/cnpp
BDCC also provided relief and recovery technical assistance and grants through CDBG-CV – State of Vermont, Vermont Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) CARES Act (CV). BDCC Administered 98 grants totaling $384,327 of which $375,152 was to businesses owned by low to moderate income people.
The Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) was created in 2014 to manage settlement funds from Entergy, supporting economic development in Windham County. Initially administered by the state, the program transitioned to local oversight under BDCC in 2022, aligning with regional economic goals and strategies. The program now operates a revolving loan fund to continue driving local growth.
In 2011, many areas of Vermont experienced significant flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. The Windham Region also experienced areas with significant flooding impacting roads, homes and businesses. BDCC has partnered with towns, state agencies and other regional organizations to provide business and economic development recovery services.
The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Grant (CDBG-DR) was one way BDCC was able to get help to those affected by the destruction of Tropical Storm Irene.
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.
