The Bennington Economic Development Partners formed in the spring of 2011 to help sustain and promote a healthy economic climate in our region through the collaborative efforts of local professionals and organizations. The Partners meet on the 3rd Monday of each month. Work Groups meet on an individual basis throughout the month.
The links below will connect you with the people and resources that stand ready to provide any assistance you may need as you research locations and communities in which to start or expand your business.
Local Resources -
Economic Development Organizations
Economic Development Partners
Work Groups and Responsibilities
Corporate Partners
Downtown Resources -
Downtown Recruitment & Retention Committee
Downtown Business Resource Packet
Downtown Development Resource Guide
Available Downtown Property Inventory
Organizations
Better Bennington Corporation
The BBC, which follows the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Program, is Bennington's downtown development organization whose mission is to build, improve, and support a vital downtown that benefits everyone in our community. 802-442-5758 www.betterbennington.com director@betterbennington.com
Bennington Chamber of Commerce
The BACC represents Bennington County's business community through advocacy, member resources, and leadership to create jobs, grow our economy, and advance the business community's interests. 802-447-3311 www.bennington.com director@bennington.com
Town of Bennington
The Town of Bennington's Economic and Community Development Director, Michael Harrington, provides assistance for business relocations and start-ups with loan programs, town ordinances, building and zoning codes, signage, design, planning and review. 802-442-1037 www.bennington.com mharrington@bennington.com
Benn. County Regional Commission
The BCRC provides comprehensive planning services for seventeen municipalities located in Southwestern Vermont. Operating under the authority of the Vermont Planning and Development Act, its mission is to work collectively for the purpose of effective planning and technical assistance for its member towns. 802-442-0713 www.bcrcvt.org
Benn. County Industrial Corp.
The BCIC is a not-for-profit economic development corporation whose mission is to promote quality jobs in Bennington County by providing services and information to businesses, developing projects, managing a site-ready corporate park, and advocating policies that support its mission. 802-442-8975 www.bcic.org
Bennington Young Professionals
The BYP role is to help young professionals with local services, activities, and networking opportunities by fostering relationships with its members, employers, and other special interest groups. www.bypforum.com
VT Small Business Development
The VTSBDC provides no-cost business advice and low-cost training to all Vermont entrepreneurs starting or growing their own business. 802-442-8975 www.vtsbdc.org
State of Vermont
The State Vermont's Agency of Commerce and Community Development 802-828-3211 www.vermont.gov
Task Force Members
John Shannahan - Better Bennington Corp.
Lindy Lynch - Bennington Chamber of Commerce
Michael Keane - Better Bennington Corp.
Joann Erenhouse - Benn. Chamber of Commerce
Brenda Jones - Bennington Chamber of Commerce
Jeannie Jenkins - Workforce Dev. Partnership
Michael McDonough - Better Bennington Corp.
Joseph Krawczyk - Bennington Select Board
Bill Colvin - Benn. County Regional Commission
Bill Botzow - State Representative
Jim Sullivan - Benn. County Regional Commission
Bob Hartwell - State Senator
Jim Trimarchi - Southwestern VT Medical Center
Ted Bird - Better Bennington Corp.
Dan Monks - Town of Bennington
Peter Odierna - Bennington County Industrial Corp.
Michael Harrington- Town of Bennington
Brian McKenna - Bennington Young Professionals
Wendy Morse - Dept. of Labor
Robert Nemer - Nemer Motors
Wendy Rae Woods - Brattleboro Dev. Corp.
Robert Culkeen - SVSU
Catherine McClure - SVSU
Chris Harriman - VT Business Development
Brian DeClue - VT Small Business Development
Work Groups
Marketing & Promotion
This work group is chaired by Michael Harrington and is charged with:
Trade Shows
Press Releases
Press Conferences
Content Development
Ads/Editorials/Trades
Public Relations
Social Media
Video Production
Print Materials
Recruiting Materials
Websites
Banners
Land Use and Circulation Analysis
Market Analysis
VT/Bennington Strengths
Radio
Housing
This work group is chaired by Brenda Jones and is charged with:
Realtor Liaison
Affordable Housing
Housing Inventory
Education and Workforce
This work group is chaired by Jeannie Jenkins and is charged with:
Workforce Development
Colleges
School Superintendent
Business Retention & Recruitment
This work group is chaired by Michael Keane and is charged with:
Recruiter Position
Research New Companies
Business Relationship Liaison
Point Person for Contacts
Potential Lead Follow-up
Special Initiatives
This work group is chaired by Joann Erenhouse and is charged with:
Foreign Trade Zone
Railways
Bike Path
Welcome Center
EB5
Broadband
Legislative
This work group is chaired by Joseph Krawczyk and is charged with:
Local Meeting Attendance
Develop Relationships
Montpelier Representation
Communications w/Legislators,
Commissioners, & Dept. Heads
Organization
This work group is chaired by John Shannahan and is charged with:
Setting up Meetings
Taking Minutes
Arranging Speakers/Guests
Grants/Funding
Dates/Locations/Agenda
Corporate Partners
DB McKenna Hoisington Realty
