Local residents are invited to information sessions being held around the region in order to learn more about the work of Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) and Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS).
BDCC & SeVEDS staff visit Selectboards at least once per year but, according to a news release, these events are being added to provide an additional forum in which members of the public have more opportunity to learn about BDCC & SeVEDS.
Staff will provide a brief overview of BDCC & SeVEDS' programs and projects, with the majority of time available for questions and answers with community members.
Attendees will hear updates on the new Southern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS), the region's strategic economic plan. The event will also provide information on programs made possible by SeVEDS' municipal investment.
This includes community programs like BDCC's Community Facilities Technical Assistance Program and the Southern Vermont Economy Project. Attendees will learn about business assistance, such as BDCC Microentrepreneur lending and technical assistance from startup to succession planning.
They will also learn about BDCC & SeVEDS' programs that help people of all ages, from career development for regional high school students with the new Pipelines and Pathways Program, to BDCC's Paid Internship Program, to the SoVTYP Young Professionals which offers social networking as well as financial wellness and first-time home buyer classes.
SeVEDS municipal funding is critical to making these and other programs possible.
Meetings will be held at these locations:
• Westminster, Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m., at the Westminster Institute, Route 5; and Feb. 8, 10:30 a.m., at the Westminster West Library, Westminster West Road.
• West Dummerston, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at the Dummerston Community Center, West Street.
• South Londonderry, Feb. 13, 5 to 7 p.m., at Londonderry Town Offices, Old School Road.
• Marlboro, Feb. 15, noon to 2 p.m., at the Marlboro Community Center, South Road.
• Grafton, Feb. 24, 6 p.m. at Grafton Elementary School, School Street.
• Guilford, Feb 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at Broad Brook Community Center, Guilford Center Road.
• Putney, Feb. 27, 5 to 7 p.m., at Putney Community Center, Christian Square.
For more information, visit brattleborodevelopment.com or www.seveds.com.