FY’21 BDCC & SeVEDS Annual Report Published
Highlights Business, Workforce & Community Programs
BRATTLEBORO, VT – The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) & Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) have published their FY’21 Annual Report. Each year, the report documents the programs and projects, planning and partnerships that characterize the work of the region’s multifaceted regional development corporation which orients and adapts its work to meet the region’s economic development needs.
This year’s report provides an overview of the current state of the region’s economy—citing labor demand outpacing its 3% population growth—as well as BDCC’s pandemic recovery efforts. The organization provided 684 Windham region businesses and nonprofits with direct technical assistance, training and support to navigate the pandemic. This outreach and engagement ensured high rates of access to federal and state relief programs.
The report also details BDCC’s expanded support for small businesses and municipalities. “Our newly expanded business team picks up where relief programs left off, providing sustained technical assistance and new lending programs,” writes Adam Grinold, BDCC’s Executive Director. Towns as well as local non-profits and service organizations received assistance through initiatives like the Southern Vermont Economy Project and the USDA Community Facilities program.
Workforce development programs included Pipelines and Pathways, providing career readiness and internships for high schoolers; Stay to Stay and the Southern Vermont Welcome Wagon Project, welcoming new Vermonters; and Welcoming Communities, for new Vermonters who are also new Americans.
To learn more about current BDCC & SeVEDS programming, services, projects and partnerships visit www.brattleborodevelopment.com where the Annual Report is also available or email jstromsten@brattleborodevelopment.com for a print or digital copy.
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/
Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) is an affiliate of BDCC that grew from a 2008 grassroots effort, initiated by BDCC, to understand and create long term strategies needed to reverse the economic decline of the Windham Region and plan for the economic impacts from the closure of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. In 2014, after multiple years of regional input, education and data gathering, SeVEDS received federal approval for the Windham Region’s federally recognized S.M.A.R.T. Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). SeVEDS partnered with Bennington’s Regional Economic Development Group in 2018 to develop the 2019 Southern Vermont Zone CEDS. For more information visit: www.seveds.com
