TOWNSHEND — Brattleboro Development Credit Corp. (BDCC), in partnership with business and municipal representatives from towns within the West River Valley, invites you to a meeting aimed at strengthening business interests in the West River Valley and along the Route 30 and Route 100 corridor.
The meeting is Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. at the Townshend Town Offices on Route 30.
In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene, BDCC has been asked to participate in a number of community conversations in which participants have expressed concern for the economic health of the towns around and along Routes 30 and 100.
A common theme at each meeting: a perceived lack of connection and critical mass for business interests along Route 30 from Dummerston to Bondville and Route 100 from Wardsboro to Weston.
In September and October, BDCC met with representatives from the towns of Newfane, Londonderry, Jamaica, and Townshend; Stratton Mountain Resort; the Windham Regional Commission, and business owners along Routes 30 and 100 to develop an action plan for business and community interests over these issues.
According to BDCC's Pat Moulton Powden, writing in a press statement, the response from those involved “has been hopeful and supportive of working toward broader regional interests.”
BDCC is committed to providing support for these types of community-led economic development initiatives in the region, she added.
“We have been really encouraged by the enthusiasm of participants at the planning meetings to date. One of the businesses told me that after the recession and Irene they really need to feel empowered again, and that's why they are participating. I think a lot of folks feel that way, so we're trying to help bring them together to work on making things better,” she said.
The Nov. 7 meeting will be facilitated by Paul Costello, executive director of the Vermont Council on Rural Development, and will focus on promoting Route 30/100 businesses, collaboration among businesses and towns, and identifying assets along the Route 30/100 corridor.
The goal of the meeting, Moulton Powden said, “is to come out with actionable projects, including both short- and long-term.”
This meeting is open to businesses, elected and appointed town officials, and residents who are interested in strengthening business interests along the Route 30/100 corridor.