Join us for the Fourth Annual Southern Vermont Economic Summit – a three-day virtual event, May 12-14, 2021. It’s time to “Reconnect”! The annual Summit is a time for our region to gather, think big, learn something new, ask questions and connect.

SPEAKERS: The 2021 Summit will feature two special keynote speakers. We’ll hear experts in rural economic policy and data, the critical role of demographics and diversity in economic health, and models for struggling economies to revitalize from within:

Tony Pipa, Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution

Majora Carter, Social-Enterprise Pioneer with the Majora Carter Group

SESSIONS: Join interactive workshop sessions focused on small business development, community development, and a New-to-Vermont lunch series.

SPECIAL GUESTS: “In Conversation With” features Governor Scott and Lt. Governor Gray envisioning Vermont’s future and responding to community questions, followed by The Future Talks Back: YP Town Hall, with young professional panelists.

The annual Summit is a time for our region to gather, think big, learn something new, ask questions and connect. It will also take place this year during International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Economic Development Week. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of economic development as the very real struggles of working Vermonters and small businesses. This year we have an opportunity to expand the regional conversation about economic and community development strategies to help southern Vermont recover and thrive.

The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Bennington County Regional Commission (BCRC) co-sponsor the Summit on behalf of the Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone. This is event part of the Southern Vermont Economy Project which helps build capacity, expertise and resources within the Zone with support from the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative.

SPONSORS

Summit Sponsors: The Bank of Bennington and Brattleboro Savings and Loan.

Economic Keynote Sponsors: People’s United Bank and Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.

Community Keynote Sponsor: MSK Engineering.

Lunch Session Sponsors: VELCO and Green Mountain Power.

Base Level Sponsors: The Richards Group, Vermont Community Loan Fund, AARP VT, and VSAC.

Community Sponsors: Front Porch Forum, Peak Radio, New England Newspapers, Inc, Five Maples

For more information, please contact Sarah Lang, Southern Vermont Economy Project Manager, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation |slang@brattleborodevelopment.com |

If you need to register by invoice, please email slang@brattleborodevelopment.com

For updated program information on the upcoming summit, visit www.SoVermontZone.com/summit