For many years I worked in the oft maligned hospitality service jobs of the region. These were jobs that allowed me to make a decent living with maximum flexibility while I had small children. The last service industry job I had was as a waitress at Dot’s Restaurant. This was a very busy, and therefore fairly lucrative job a few days a week, allowing me maximum time with my three young children. It was at Dot’s where my interest in economic development began.
Folks treasure their routines. For workers, retirees and the weekend residents the morning Dot’s routine included coffee, newspapers, and spirited commentary on whatever the latest local controversy was or which new state law had folks up in arms. I was intrigued by the banter and back and forth and the level of knowledge and passion. If you wanted to understand how the locals were feeling after the controversial Brigham decision and the national tragedy of 9/11, Dot’s was the place to be .
In addition to awakening my interest in the workings (or not) of local and state government, there was one other notable feature of my eight years at Dot’s – a very slow and gradual decrease of how much I was able to earn as a waitress. This, of course, was due to a parallel slow and gradual decrease in overall economic activity in the region. Notable numbers of friends and acquaintances I’d known for years started leaving and businesses that has once thrived were shutting the doors and not being replaced.
All of this led me to apply for the regional chamber of commerce director position in 2006 where I figured maybe I could “do” something to help. And I also needed to be able to halt the slow decline in my wages. Since then I have had many opportunities to work and learn with others in and out of our district on events, plans and long term strategies to begin to reverse our economic decline.
This work remains quite an adventure with varying levels of support and assistance for our efforts from state and federal government, and some amazing local and regional grassroots contributions. My current position was created by just such collaborative grassroots effort when, in 2011, the State of Vermont and our regional development corporation BDCC made an important decision to collaborate on developing a long term regional strategy to grow Southeastern Vermont’s economy. My past and current successes in bringing businesses and public officials/bodies together to tackle our shared economic challenges will be of great service to our towns as we continue working to improve our economy.
What follows is information about some of the positive economic development initiatives I led, am leading or have helped develop:
2020
Windham County Economic Report: Businesses face short-term and long-term risks
Lawmakers Scale Back Plan to Pump $100 Million Into Broadband
House overrides Scott’s veto of Global Warming Solutions Act
House fails to override Scott’s veto of paid family leave by one vote
As tensions cool, state officials say Brattleboro Retreat won’t face imminent closure
2019
Thank You Representative Laura Sibilia For Helping to Bring Broadband to Rural VT
Technology: Broadband expansion will take wide-area effort
The Challenges Of Bringing Broadband To Vermont’s Hills And Hollows
Lawmaker shocked by telecoms CEO suggesting constituent should move
Consolidated improved repair times for service outages. But officials still aren’t satisfied.
Vermont holds fire on net neutrality law, despite legal win for states
2018
House transforms and passes net neutrality bill
Grace Cottage Hospital cell coverage saved
What’s important to local lawmakers in 2018
House OKs temporary fee to support broadband build-out
Some Vermont Rural Cell Service, Including 911, Could End
2017
Limited marijuana legalization clears Legislature
Southern Vermont Economic Development Zone wins federal funds
Vermont Rural Caucus invites testimony on future of rural economy
You are not alone: Exerts focus on Southern Vermont Economic Issues
Vermont Clean Energy Report Signals Opportunities for Job Growth
When a nuclear plant closes, a community suffers. Here’s how we can change that
Vermont Bill Would Increase State’s Energy Storage Capacity
2016
Town Tells officials about dearth of telecommunications access
House set to vote on Gilfeather Turnip bill
How does broadband access impact property values?
VTel, House at odds over internet access info
Economic leaders interests go beyond Vermont Yankee
Economic development leaders join forces in southern Vermont
Rivals again face off in Windham-Bennington vote
Sibilia to help advise new governor
When a nuclear power plant closes, a community suffers
2015
Growing our green economy: Region gets $265K for green building work
September with the CEDS: Measuring your progress
Vegetable with roots in local town up for state recognition
New report tackles region’s economic woes
House Committees set as Legislature Opens
Windham Region Vital Projects Announced
2014
Economic Development Groups bid for Entergy Funds
10 Towns Approve Funding for Southeastern Vermont Economic Development
Southern Vermont promotes new marketing campaign
Sibilia upsets Moran in Windham-Bennington
2013
Windham Region CEDS released for 30 day public comment
Joint Meeting of House Committees on Natural Resources and Energy and on Commerce and Economic Development: Testimony
“…a best example of all Vermonters…” – Vermont Commerce Sec. Lawrence Miller 31:00
Improving economic fortunes in the Route 30/100 corridor
21st Annual VBSR Annual Conference: Hot Topics: Vermont Yankee Decommissioning – Issues & Opportunities
Post-Irene, area chambers team up on marketing
Vermont remembers Irene on second anniversary of floods
2012
Southern Vermont receives $470,000 to bolster long-term recovery efforts following Irene
2011
Numbers tell the story of flood recovery
2010
Dover, Wilmington want to go high-tech
2009
Strategic Economic Development Plan for Dover and Wilmington
2008
The Vermont Life Wine & Harvest Festival
Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival
Dover Economic Development Plan for 1% tax
A Look Back: Deerfield Valley Economy in 2008
2007
Bears in the Valley Public Arts Event nets 80K for four local charities
Vermont State Representative Laura Sibilia 