VERNON — Howard Fairman questions whether the Southern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) board is qualified to lead a Windham County and regional economic development effort. He suggests that somehow it is not, on the basis that only three of its 18 board members represent what he calls “proven innovative employers.” He lists those three as Grafton Village Cheese, Chroma Technologies, and New Chapter - which are certainly innovative enterprises.
But Fairman dismisses as unqualified to contribute to the SeVEDS board (because, he says, they are merely “conventional”) the following enterprises:
• Stevens & Associates (which is leading the innovative $24 million Brooks House redevelopment project).
• Strolling of the Heifers (originator of the Vermont Farm/Food Business Plan Competition, which has helped launch or expand dozens of businesses).
• The Brattleboro Retreat (which has doubled its employment since 2007 by launching several innovative new treatment programs).
• The Richards Group (which is growing by adding a variety of innovative new services and lines of business).
• Bartleby's Books. (Any bookstore that can survive both Tropical Storm Irene and e-books is innovating by definition.)
• Stratton Mountain (which sent 14 athletes to the Winter Olympics and thrives through innovation in a highly competitive business).
• Vermont Geeks (an innovative small computer business succeeding in a world dominated by big boxes and Internet sellers).
Innovation doesn't just happen at companies making optical filters, cheese, or nutritional supplements. It also happens at lumber mills, building materials manufacturers, hospitals, resorts, engineering firms, nonprofit organizations, farms, retailers, food manufacturers, computer shops, and many others.
In fact, like the academic mantra “publish or perish,” all businesses of all sizes today must innovate or perish.
The SeVEDS board is not lacking in innovative resources. Board representation of multiple sectors - including industry, service businesses, nonprofits, and government, all bringing a different set of perspectives and networks - is a strength of the organization.
But really, Fairman is asking the wrong question. The right question is whether the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) recently completed by SeVEDS and submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is the right plan for the Windham region. Has he read the plan?
The plan was developed over a one-year period with input not only from the SeVEDS board but also from:
• 9 public input sessions
• 16 focus group sessions
• A young professionals survey
• 30 municipal updates
• 55-plus SeVEDS regional board meetings
• 8 Post-Vermont Yankee Task Force meetings
• 25 Workforce Committee meetings
• 10 CEDS Committee meetings
• 10 Innovation Ecosystem meetings
• 10 Green/Sustainable Building Cluster meetings
• 8 Windham Higher Education Cooperative meetings
• 3 legislative hearings
The CEDS process was deliberately designed to maximize participation and to foster collaboration among the region's communities, businesses, and organizations. It specifically targets the development of an “innovation ecosystem” in the region to grow existing businesses, build new businesses, create new jobs, and raise median income levels.
To start, the plan received 52 project proposals that were vetted and ranked, with 12 being earmarked as priority efforts. Once accepted by the EDA, the CEDS will be an important tool in qualifying the region for economic development assistance grants from various federal agencies.
SeVEDS invites readers to study the plan itself at the SeVEDS website, and to participate in future events where we will report progress and seek proposals for the next cycle of economic development work.