SVEP Webinar Series
Starting July 2017, the Southern Vermont Economy Project at BDCC began hosting a quick hit webinar series called “Knowledge Bites,” focused on providing introductory information about economic and community development tools, programs, and funding opportunities.
Upcoming Webinars
Past Webinars
Presentation Slides (with lots of links to follow for more information): Knowledge Bites_ Tools for Local Leadership
From training for selectboard members and town moderators to legal help and HR advice, Vermont League of Cities and Towns is an invaluable resource for municipal staff, officials, and committee members. Learn more about the wealth of information and support available through VLCT and how you can access what you need to know.
Slides
Banding together with other towns can enable you to create a full-time position and a bigger salary pool, allowing you to more easily hire experienced, professional staff. Learn from the Town of Rockingham about their experience sharing a zoning administrator with other nearby municipalities.
We discuss the process for identifying possible towns to collaborate with and defining and structuring agreements (plus outside supports or resources for doing so), along with an overview of what has been working well so far and what challenges have arisen.
Londonderry and Rockingham shared their intermunicipal agreements for others’ reference:
Interlocal Agreement – Mountain Towns Recreation Director
Intermunicipal Agreement – Land Use and Planning Specialists
How can towns best welcome new residents and get them connected to the community?
Newcomers are vital to the vibrancy and economic well-being of our towns. There are many small adjustments that towns can make that will have a big impact on how welcome new residents feel – such as including a dedicated “Welcome” page on the town website and making it easy to sign up for the town newsletter.
Learn what other towns around the region are doing; talk with other town clerks, administrators, and community organizations; and get ideas for practical small steps your town can take to ensure newcomers feel welcome, are well-informed, and know how to get involved.
Key takeaways:
- Having a “Welcome” page on the town website is the single most important thing you can do — and it’s pretty simple to compile! (Check out our sample page.)
- People who are new to Vermont often don’t know they can or should come by the town office.
- Newcomers often want to volunteer and get involved in their communities. Welcoming them into the town hall, via a “standing invitation” flyer (editable template here) or an occasional new residents meet and greet, is a great way to find your next batch of committee members!
Common Good Vermont is the only statewide program dedicated to uniting, strengthening, and advocating for Vermont’s nonprofit sector. Common Good Vermont serves as the “go-to” resource for nonprofits to share resources, gain skills, and build partnerships. Learn what they offer and how to use their resources to build your skills and get answers to your questions as a mission driven organization!
CGVT Introduction Brattleboro (Slides from the presentation with lots of useful links!)
The Preservation Trust of Vermont holds an annual series of retreats that are designed to help Vermont community projects learn in an environment full of supportive peers! learn about this year’s schedule (including some new topics!) and plan to attend one of these valuable trainings that will help your local project succeed.
To inquire about a scholarship to attend any program before Sept. 30, 2024, please reach out to Mstaloff@brattleborodevelopment.com. (Some terms and conditions apply.)
For more information about PTV’s offerings, contact jackson@ptvermont.org
The REDI Program from the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board is a great source of assistance for community projects in need of a helping hand to increase their capacity! Learn what kind of projects qualify, what kind of assistance they provide, and what it looks like from the point of view of a REDI consultant.
Slides from Mariah Noth
We want our community buildings to be accessible to all, but retrofitting can be daunting – and expensive. Learn where to get help, and hear about clever solutions from around the state.
Slides from Peter Johnke, Vermont Center for Independent Living
Slides from Caitlin Corkins, Vermont Division for Historic Preservation
ADA checklist for self-evaluations
Katherine Sims, a consultant and legislator in Craftsbury VT, has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit development. She shares a down-to-earth, practical overview of board roles and responsibilities and best practices for recruitment and evaluation.
Slides from Katherine Sims
Other resources collected by BDCC
Meet Ken Linge from the Vermont bond agency and learn how they partner with Vermont communities to fund their projects.
Slides from Ken Linge
Topic: Neighborhood revitalization in Oswego, NY- The driver of change is small matching grants to clusters of homeowners who want to collaboratively improve the exterior of their neighborhood. Read more in our blog post!
Presenter: Paul Stewart, Executive Director of Oswego Renaissance Association, an all volunteer organization which has spurred widespread neighborhood revitalization and investment.
Presenters:
Matt Cropp, Vermont Employee Ownership Center
Deb Harris, PT360
Links and Documents:
Leveraging Employee Ownership as a Business Recovery Strategy Slides
Join SVEP and Tim Terway from the Vermont Center for Geographical Information to discuss frequently asked questions regarding how parcel data is maintained, what is being asked of towns, what it could mean for a shared upkeep workflow across towns, vendors, state, and downstream users. In addition, Terway will clarify where the resources are, how to access & use them, what parcel data are (and are not!)
Presenter: Tim Terway, VCGI
Presentation: VCGI Parcel Program Presentation
Presenters:
Alex Tranmer, Camoin 310
alexandra@camoinassociates.com
Donna Wotton, Ti-Alliance
donna@ticonderoga-alliance.org
Presentation: Sharing the Visio: Using Market Data to Guide Rural Economic Development PDF
Presenters:
Alix Jones, Bennington Museum, Co-President BAAC
Kate Cooper, MSK Engingeering, Co-President BAAC
Topic: Structured Problem Solving
Presenter: Jon Bates, Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, jbates@vmec.org, 802-345-2062
Audience: People who manage people and people who manage processes
Download Presentation Here: KB_Problem Solving_Bates
SVEP 2.0 Archives
Windham Regional Commission and Bennington County Region Commission go through the application for the Municipal Energy Resilience Program (MERP) energy assessments step by step to help you determine which assessment is right for your town and projects.
MERP Knowledge Bites Assessment Combined Slides
Chat and links for KB MERP Energy Assessments Webinar 7_19_2023
Topic: There are two programs designed to help communities with local projects. The first is Community Facilities Technical Assistance Program (CFTAP) at BDCC which helps local projects access small awards technical assistance and ultimately in some cases USDA Community Facilities awards or loans. The Second is the REDI program which can fund grantwriting support for projects in communities with fewer than 5000 residents.
Presenters: Maria Noth, VHCB & Regan Dobbins, BDCC
Presentation: KB 7_28 combined
Presentation: How to Zoom PDF
Links/Resources:
- Create a Zoom Account: www.zoom.us/signup
- Download Desktop app: https://zoom.us/support/download
- LinkedIn Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/
- SVEP Online Meeting Resources: www.brattleborodevelopment.com/online meeting resources/
Presenters:
- Gretchen Havreluk, Economic Development Specialist, Town of Wilmington
- Scott Tucker, Town Manager, Town of Wilmington
- Patrick Moreland, Assistant Town Manager, Town of Brattleboro
- Forrest Holzapfel, Town Clerk, Town of Marlboro
Long Term Impacts for Towns Presentation
- Minicozzi video links
- Reading list for Behavioral Economics
- Thoughts from Minicozzi on the topic
Long Term Impacts for Towns Data and Infographics
- Screen clips from Minicozzi’s presentation
- Links to data
- Discussion questions
KB_Why the Census Makes Cents Presentation
Links:
- Creatives for the Count
- VT Complete Count Committee Executive Order
- George Washington University: Counting for Dollars report on Federal funds back to VT
- VCGI Response Rate Map(Via the Census Bureau)
- US Census outreach materials to promote census
- 2020 Census Operational Adjustments due to COVID19
Documents
Presenters:
- Ann Kroll and Cindy Blondin, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development
Contact:
- Nathan Cleveland, VDHCD
- Nathan.cleveland@vermont.gov
- 802-585-5659
Links/Documents:
- GEARS System: https://egrants.vermont.gov/
- Vermont Community Development Program website: https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/vcdp
- CDBG-CV webpage: https://accd.vermont.gov/community-development/funding-incentives/vcdp/cdbg-cv
- FAQs: https://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accdnew/files/documents/CD-VCDP-CDBGCV-FAQ-MunicipalPublicServiceProgram.pdf
- Slides: GEARS System Training for CDBG CV Users
- Knowledge Bites webinar on a SAM.gov registration and DUNS number (scroll down almost to the bottom to see recording): https://brattleborodevelopment.com/knowledge-bites/#1555695705422-6c283c9f-97d0
Funders:
- Preservation Trust: Ben Doyle | ben@ptvermont.org | www.ptvermont.org
- Community Capital of Vermont: Abbey Salomon | asalomon@communitycapitalvt.org | www.communitycapitalvt.org
- Thomas Thompson Trust: Susan Monahan | smonahan@rackemann.com| https://thomasthompsontrust.org/index.html
- Northern Borders Regional Commission: Rich Grogan | rgrogan@nbrc.gov | www.nbrc.gov
- Vermont Natural Resource Council: Kate McCarthy | kmccarthy@vnrc.org | www.vnrc.org
- Vermont Department of Economic Development: Kristie Farnham | Kristie.Farnham@vermont.gov | www.accd.vermont.gov/economic-development
- USDA Rural Development: Jon Michael Muise | jon.muise@vt.usda.gov | www.rd.usda.gov
- Vermont Community Foundation: Kevin Wiberg | kwiberg@vermontcf.org | www.vermontcf.org
- VT Department of Housing and Community Development: Nathan Cleveland | nathan.cleveland@vermont.gov | www.accd.vermont.gov/community-development
- Vermont Housing and Conservation Board: Liz Gleason | egleason@vhcb.org | www.vhcb.org
- The Windham Foundation: Becky Bryant | becky.bryant@windham-foundation.org | www.windham-foundation.org
Presenters: Amy Rast and Laura Brown of RLS and Associates, Inc.
Public Survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VTRt30
Resources:
Improving Transportation in the VT Route 30 Corridor; Brattleboro to Winhall, Vermont: https://vtrans.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=2891b60e823d4706bb9abe9f20ecbdd7
VT Route 30 Corridor Management Plan (2018): VT Route 30 Corridor Management Plan (vermont.gov)
Website for VTrans Public Transit (includes projects and program information): https://vtrans.vermont.gov/public-transit
Website for the LRTP: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/long-range-plan
Vermont Long Range Transportation Plan (2040): https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/planning/documents/planning/2040_LRTP_%20Final.pdf
LRTP Public Opinion Survey (includes commuter and public transit data):
VTrans Documents on Public Transit: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/docs#public%20transit
Presentation:
Contact:
Katie Buckley, VLCT
arpa@vlct.org or kbuckley@vlct.org
Resources:
Bylaw Modernization Grant: https://accd.vermont.gov/content/bylaw-modernization-grants
Revenue Replacement Calculator: GFOA-Rev-Calculator
2022 CEDS Projects Knowledge Bites Presentation
Submission Forms (PDF): Please submit projects through the online form. These PDFs are just to help you put your submission together
EmailMe Form – Southern Vermont CEDS New Project Submission Form
Topic: How to submit your project to the Southern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The CEDS is an action plan for growing the economy developed using a federally prescribed regional public process. Each year the CEDS is updated with “CEDS Projects” submissions which highlight projects, programs and activities that address the region’s greatest needs and enhance the region’s competitiveness.
Presenters: Join Sarah Lang (BDCC) and Jonathan Cooper (BCRC)
Presentation: 2020 CEDS Projects Knowledge Bites Presentation
Topic: Understanding Labor Market Information Data and Resources
Presenter: Kevin Stapelton, Vermont Department of Labor, kevin.stapleton@vermont.gov, 802-828-3868
Audience: Economic development professionals, grant writers, researchers and anyone who frequently uses data from sources such as Census or the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Download Power Point Here: KB1 Stapleton VTDOL
Topic: USDA Rural Development programs overview, in depth on housing or audience choice
Presenter: Jon-Michael Muise, USDA Rural Development VT/NH Office, jon.muise@vt.usda.gov, 802-689-3026
Audience: municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, regional agencies, private entities
Download Power Point Here: Vermont USDA Rural Development Vermont Overview
Topic: Windham County Economic Development Program, RFP submission
Presenter: RT Brown, BDCC, rbrown@brattleborodevelopment.com, 802-257-7731
Audience: Non-profit organizations
Download Power Point: 2017 WCEDP RFP Webinar
Resource Link: http://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/funding-incentives/windham-county
Presenter: Kristin Brooks, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, kbrooks@brattleborodevelopment.com, 802-257-7731
Michelle Marrocco, Bennington County Regional Commission
Audience: Business owners in Bennington and Windham counties, college students/recent grads
Download Power Point: BDCC & Six College Collaborative Internship Program – SVEP Presentation 8.2017
Topic: Engaging your state delegation
Presenters: Senator Jeanette White (D-Windham), jwhite@leg.state.vt.us
Representative Brian Keefe (R- Bennington), bkeefevt@gmail.com
Audience: Residents of Bennington and Windham Counties
Topic: Utilizing the Vermont Downtown/Village Designation Program to leverage funding and benefits
Presenter: Gary Holloway, Downtown Program Coordinator, Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development, gary.holloway@vermont.gov, 802-828-3220
Audience: Municipalities who are interested in applying for the downtown/village designation and municipalities who already have designated downtowns/villages
Topic: Vermont Small Business Development Center
Presenters: Deb Boudrieau, VTSBDC, dboudrieau@vtsbdc.org, 802-257-7731 Ext 218
Steve Paddock, VTSBDC, SPaddock@vtsbdc.org, 802-257-7731 Ext 218
Audience: Vermont resident that is looking to start a small business
Power Point: BMC & FIN Knowledge Bites 10.4.17
Topic: Easing Pain Points for Growing Organizations
Presenter: Emily Blistein, Marlboro Center for New Leadership, eblistein@gradschool.marlboro.edu
Audience: Nonprofit and mission driven organizations that are at a crossroads and need to know what action to take to move forward. For example: what do do when your founder is ready to retire? How do you engage a board that doesn’t want to help fundraise? You’ve heard about B-Corps, but how does your mission driven business get certified?
Presentation: CNLforBDCCOct2017
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Project Submission Process ***WINDHAM REGION SPECIFIC***
Topic: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy project submission
Presenter: Laura Sibilia, BDCC, lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.com, 802-275-7731
Audience: Anyone interested in submitting or updating a project to the region’s CEDS
Presentation: 11.7.2017 – CEDS Knowledge Bites Presentation
Topic: Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program
Presenter: Fred Kenney, Executive Director, Vermont Economic Progress Council
Contact: Casey Mock, VEPC Executive Director, casey.mock@vermont.gov, 802-798-2221
Audience: Businesses contemplating investment in new payroll and capital in Vermont to by starting a new business, expanding an existing business, or relocating or expanding a business into Vermont.
Power Point: VEGI PPT 2017
Topic: Workforce Development Grants with the Vermont Training Program
Presenter: John Young, VTP, john.young@vermont.gov, 802-355-2725
Audience: Employers
Topic: Windham Region Brownfields Reuse Initiative (WRBRI) and ACCD Brownfield Revitalization Fund
Presenter: Susan McMahon, Windham Regional Commission, susan@windhamregional.org, 802-257-4547
Brett Long, ACCD, Brett.Long@vermont.gov, 802-461-9353
Audience: Municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, regional agencies, private entities who have a brownfield site or are interested in a brownfield site and how to remediate it
Topic: Town Officers Education Conference (TOEC)
Presenter: Briset Flores, UVM Extension, Briset.Flores@uvm.edu
Audience: Municipal Leaders, Local government
Download PowerPoint here: BDC Webinar Presentation 1.9.18 Briset & Leslie
Topic: The Consumer Assistance Program, a small business initiative through the VT Office of the Attorney General
Presenter: Whytnee Bush, Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program
Contact: Lauren Jandl, AGO.smallbusiness@vermont.gov, 802-489-7155
Audience: Small businesses
Topic: ThinkVermont.com
Audience: Business owners, municipal staff/leaders, general public
Presenter: Elaine Haney Sopchak, VT Agency of Commerce & Community Development
Topic: Marketing opportunities for Vermont’s tourism businesses
Audience: Hospitality, tourism and consumer goods businesses and organizations interested in reaching Vermont’s visitors
Presenter: Hilary DelRoss, Heritage & Recreation Specialist, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
Topic: SBA Hubzone Program and PTAC Assistance
Audience: Small Businesses in Vermont
Presenter: Edward Williams, Vermont Procurement and Technical Assistance Center
Other resources:
https://www.sba.gov/contracting/government-contracting-programs/hubzone-program
https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/HUBZone_Application_Guide.pdf
Topic: Talent Pipeline Management
Presenter: Alex Beck, Workforce Center of Excellence at the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
Audience: Both employers and educators
Topic: Targeted Expertise Recruitment and Retention program at BDCC
Audience: Workforce professionals, businesses, realtors, Employers who are looking for a targeted way to draw in workforce to the area
Presenter: Jen Stromsten, Director of Programs, BDCC
Power Point: TER REPORT PPT SVEP Webinar April 2018
Topic: INSTIG8 program at BDCC and upcoming workshops and events
Audience: Entrepreneurs, small business owners
Presenter: RT Brown, Head Instigator, BDCC
Topic: Small Business Innovation Research program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Audience: Entrepreneurs, small business owners
Presenter: Ed Williams, Procurement Counselor, Vermont PTAC
Topic: Utilizing your local community access TV station
Audience: Any one in the Windham Region who is interested in learning more about utilizing BCTV and FACT TV
Presenter: Cor Trowbrige (Brattleboro Community TV) and Alex Stradling (Falls Area Community TV)
Presentation: Webinar – WC Community Media
Topic: The Building Communities Grant Program through the Department of Buildings and General Services
(Grant application deadline is July 31st!)
Audience: Town leaders and employees
Presenter: Judy Bruneau, Grand Administrator
Topic: Utilizing your local community access TV station
Audience: Any one in the Bennington Region who is interested in learning more about utilizing CAT TV and GNAT
Presenter: Mike Cutler (Catamount Access TV) and Andrew McKeever/Tammie Reilly (Greater Northshire Access TV)
Download Presentation Here: Community Media
Topic: The Vermont Planning Advance Program
Audience: Villages without public water or sewer
Presenter: Lynnette Claudon, Planning Advance Lead
Presentation: Intro_villageWWsolutions-Economic Development-081418
Topic: Act 185 Clean Water Revolving Fund
Presenter: Terisa Thomas, SRF Program Manager
Terisa.Thomas@vermont.gov , 802-249-2413
Audience: Municipalities, select boards
Presentation: KB27_Clean Water Fund Presentation
Topic: Vermont Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Grant Program
Presenter: Gary Holloway, VT DHCD
Powerpoint: EVSE Grant Presentation
Topic: 2019 Southern Vermont Zone CEDS Project Submissions
Presenter: Laura Sibilia and Sarah Lang, BDCC
Powerpoint: 1.14.19- CEDS Knowledge Bites Presentation
Topic: “Future-Ready” Economic Development Organizations (Lessons learned from the IEDC Webinar Series)
Presenter: Jonathan Cooper, Bennington County Regional Commission/Bennington County Industrial Commission
PowerPoint: Cooper_Knowledge Bites IEDC
Topic: Registering on SAM.gov and acquiring a DUNS number for your organization
Presenter: Bobbi Kilburn, BDCC
bkilburn@brattleborodevelopment.com
Presentation:04.19 BDCC DUNS _ SAM
Topic: Mobile Wireless Drive Test by the VT Department of Public Service
Presenter: Corey Chase, VT DPS , Corey.Chase@vermont.gov
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RUNNING A MORE IN DEPTH TEST IN YOUR TOWN, CONTACT COREY CHASE
Links referenced in webinar: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/mobile-wireless-drive-test
Topic: Community Facility Technical Assistance Program
Presenter: RT Brown, BDCC
Topic: Communication Union District formation
Presenter: Rep. Laura Sibilia, Paul Giuliani (an attorney specializing in municipal law and CUD formation), and Carole Monroe of ValleyNet
Audience: Towns interested in learning more about CUDs
Contacts:
State RepresentativeCarole Monroe, carole.monroe@valley.net
ValleyNet
PRIMMER PIPER EGGLESTON & CRAMER PC
Tel: 802 223 2102
pgiuliani@primmer.com
Attachments:
Footnotes:
| 1) Increase our Population: Attract more people to live in Southern Vermont, to participate in the community, the workforce, and support the business and civic environment. |
| 2) Improve our Physical Infrastructure: Make the critical infrastructure improvements so that Southern Vermont is resident and business ready. |
| 3) Enhance our Social Infrastructure: Improve quality of life and stability for residents. |
| 4) Expand our Business Infrastructure: Create an environment that will encourage more jobs and opportunities in Southern Vermont. |
| 5) Develop our Economic Development Capacity: Enhance the ability for economic development professionals and partners to play a role in implementation. |
Developing/Sustaining Collaborations, Legal, Communications/Marketing/Social Media, Finance, Fundraising, Leadership, Organizational Development, Project Coordination, and Strategic Planning