VLCT Economic Development Conference

[From VLCT Newsletter]

Economic Development Conference

Mar. 22, 2017

• Location: Capitol Plaza, Montpelier
• Time: 8:30am — 3:30pm
• Sponsored by: VLCT Municipal Assistance Center; VLCT PACIF
• Contact: Lisa Goodell
• Contact Email: info@vlct.org
• Contact Phone: (802) 229-9111
• Contact Fax: (802) 229-2211
• Cost: Early Bird: $50 Government and Non-Profit; $75 All Others; Add $10 after de
• Registration Deadline: Wednesday, March 15, 2017.

Description

This workshop is designed to help Vermont’s local elected officials and decision makers learn about opportunities to grow their communities while maintaining their distinctive characters and quality of life. Presentations will include data on economic trends in the state, case studies, and information about available tools and resources. Members of legislative bodies (selectboards, city councils, and village trustees), town and city managers, administrators, and municipal staff who lead economic development and planning departments and others are encouraged to attend.

Click Here to Register

Agenda

8:30	Registration Opens (Coffee and light breakfast included)
9:00	Welcome and Opening Remarks Maura Carroll, Executive Director, Vermont League of Cities and Towns Tim Smith, Executive Director, Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation
9:10	What is Economic Development at the Local Level? Using data compiled by the Vermont Futures Project, presenters will discuss the role of cities and towns in the preparation, management and success of local growth.  They will offer regional perspectives and highlight salient groups, as well as describe models that enable towns to work together to achieve shared goals.  Presenters will also review potential challenges that can affect development such as infrastructure, land use and workforce issues, and how communities can best manage such challenges to their advantage.  Since municipalities have considerable control over future development, it is also critical for them to have clear goals and define what they wish to accomplish. Jeff Lewis and Jennifer Stromsten, Vermont Futures Project
10:30	Break
10:40	Local Development Case Studies - Success Stories and Lessons Learned from Vermont Cities and  Towns This session will feature four local economic development case studies from around the state. Presenters will share success stories and lessons learned as well as highlight the partners, resources, expertise and tools that helped them achieve their goals. St. Albans City Downtown Program – Marty Manahan, Director of Business Development, St. Albans City Bennington Downtown Redevelopment – Bill Colvin, Assistant Director, Bennington County Regional Commission/Acting Director, Bennington County Industrial Corporation Artisans Park, Windsor – Tom Marsh, Windsor Town Manager and Bob Flint, Executive Director, Springfield Regional Development Corporation Vermont Food Venture Center, Hardwick – Sarah Waring, Executive Director Center for an Agricultural Economy
12:00	Lunch (Provided) Presentation: Ted Brady, Deputy Secretary, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
1:00	The Developer’s Perspective – What Makes Projects Work (or Not) Presenters will discuss what developers need to move projects from paper to reality. The concepts of community enabled development and economic viability will be discussed with a special focus on the role local decision-makers play in growing their cities and towns in keeping with community values and quality of life. Bob Stevens, P.E., Principal, M&S Development  Craig Miskovich, Esq., Principal, M&S Development  David G. White, President and Founder, White + Burke Real Estate Investment Advisors, Inc.
2:00	Break
2:10	What Does Success Look Like for Your Community? Facilitated Discussion The presenters will discuss the options cities and towns have to grow and develop the way they choose, the ways to identify appropriate projects for their communities and the role that experience, attitude and history may play in achieving healthy and desired growth.  In addition, the presenters will cover how a town’s land use plan connects to regional and state plans and how the status of municipal plans and infrastructure contribute to the readiness of a community to grow and put plans into action. Jeff Lewis and Jennifer Stromsten, Vermont Futures Project
3:00	Services, Tools & Resources - Overviews by Exhibitors and Visit Display Tables Regional Development Corporations of Vermont United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Vt. Agency of Commerce and Community Development Vt. Small Business Development Corporation and more!
4:00	Event Conclusion (Drop Off Evaluations and Badges at Registration)

Please Note:

Early Bird Registration and Cancellation Deadline is Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Registrations received after this date will be charged an extra $10.00 per person.

Our cancellation policy requires that you notify VLCT in writing by the event's registration deadline to receive a refund of your registration fee.

For a full refund, please cancel in writing by the registration deadline. Please note that, for your convenience, you may pre-register without paying. However, if you do not attend the workshop, and have not cancelled your registration in writing or via email by the deadline, you will be billed for the full cost of the workshop.
Cancellation for events, even for sickness, that comes after the deadline cannot be refunded because VLCT will have already incurred all the costs for attendance including space rental, meal guarantees and packet generation.
Please mail payment to VLCT, 89 Main Street, Suite 4, Montpelier, VT 05602.