1. Bennington County Economic Development Efforts June 14, 2012

2.  1. Foster regional relationships  Create/Enhance Connections  Overcome geo-political hurdles  EDA-DR Grant – Windham/Bennington  Submitted June 11  Goals:  Build Capacity for Recovery (Business Resource Centers)  Enhance Southern VT Branding and Marketing  Support for Downtowns and Village Centers  Commercial Kitchen Example

3.  2. Generate enthusiasm for development of a Bennington Regional Economic Development Strategy  Berkshire and Windham are great examples  Last Bennington County Plan - 2004

4.  Peru  Village Center Economic Development Plan  Bennington  Bennington Economic Development Strategy  BCRC & Mullin Associates

6.  Communication and Coordination Group  Participants  Town, Chamber, Downtown Organization, RDC, RPC, WIB, Young Professionals, Local Legislators  Monthly Group Meeting + Sub-Committees  Marketing & Promotion  Tools & Resources  Legislative/Government  Special Initiatives  Workforce & Education  Housing  Employer Retention & Recruitment

7.  Where do we go from here?  Future Meeting Date?  Include Franklin County?  General Q&A