“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”
— Henry Ford
Strong and Stable Local Economy (Friday PM)
Participants:
Facilitator/Scribe: David and Amelia
Catie Berg Rita Romirex Jodi Kramer Annamarie Pluhar Gail Sorenson Ed Anthes Ruth Barton Ron Paul Stone
Strengths
Green Mt. Spinner
I 91
Proximity of airports and quality medical - Dartmouth and BMH
Good folks
Special foods – “made in Vermont”
Maple syrup
Cheeses
Cider James
Camps – Green Mountain music
BT Yankee
Timber – Cersosimo, Waterman’s Mill
Agriculture – Two major orchards, organic farm
Family farm – CSA
C&S – big employer
Financial – Two banks with headquarters in Brattleboro
Local Public Edcuation system
- Career center, VOC training Brattleboro Savings and Loan
Diverse economic base
Full service business base
Recreation- KROka, West hill bike
Educations - SIT, Landmark, Austine, Marlboro, Putney School, Greenwood
Home business – independent workers, artists, authors, access to
broadband
Cottage industry
Creative economy
Weaknesses
Lack of a town nurse
Large percentage of population shopping on line
Telecomm – lack of high speed, cell phone etc.
Public transportation
Vt Yankee
Tax incentives for encourage business
Opportunity for young adults
No eateries in Dummerston
Cost of insurance
No gathering place – coffee, country store
Hared to get started in agriculture
Short growing season
Growing business vs. preservation
Lack of affordable housing that keeps green space
Increase in high-end housing
Diminishing numbers of children
Future
See working farm – demonstrations, corn maze
Community General Store
Local Think tank – integrate banking with forward thinking people.
Room for Internet businesses
Intergenerational living community
Semi-professional sports
Broad-based food supply within 100 miles
Public transportation system
Bike routes
Drivers educated about bikers
Seasonal celebrations for children
Apple Pie Festival, Centennial etc. strolling of Heifers, O5301
Maple Valley as an educational recreation year round facility
Specialized manufacturing
Appropriate tax incentives
Key Issues
1. Community Quality (Food, energy, social support services,
gathering place, etc)
2. Telecommunications
3. Recreation
4. Education: Development of Maple Valley as a Learning Skills
Center – focus on year round operation
5. Transportation; biking, walking, network