Commission on the Future of Economic Development

 The Commission on the Future of Economic Development

 Economic Opportunity and the Jobs of the Future for Southern Windsor County

On July 10th, 2008 CFED hosted a Public Meeting in Springfield and also met with area employers and economic development service providers. 

The meeting was part of a state wide effort to gather input for a new state strategic plan on economic development.  

Click here to take a survey on the Future of Economic Development

The Commission on the Future of Economic Development for Vermont (CFED) is hosting public meetings throughout the state to stimulate local, regional and state conversations on specific strategies to create jobs and opportunities for you and your children, for entrepreneurs, and businesses and employers of all sizes in our communities.  CFED is seeking your ideas and specific suggestions on what the state's role and priorities should be in the next five, ten or twenty years.  CFED will use the results of this process in regions through the state to help inform a coherent strategic plan to guide state action and measure our progress as a state to meeting its goals.  

• What makes you optimistic about the future for your job, your business or the local economy in general?
• What concerns do you have about the future of jobs, economic opportunity and business activity in your region?
• What are the best opportunities for new jobs and business in the region?
• What are the major concerns of workers and community members related to economic security and future opportunities?
• Are there specific types of businesses and employers who represent the future for the region?
• What is the most important investment or program for the region that would help stimulate and grow opportunities here?
• Which programs are already doing a good job to support job creation and economic opportunity and should be kept and reinforced?
• What is the biggest barrier to good jobs and future opportunities for you and your children?
• What do local businesses and employers need most to succeed?
• What are you willing to do to help insure a bright future for the Vermont economy?

CFED is responsible for developing a big picture of the future of the state’s economy and how state actions and policies can best support it.  The commission has developed draft documents that reflect some of its thinking and invites you to offer your comments and ideas.

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Local resources and an overview of the CFED activities on July 10th.

The Commissioners will spent a full day in Springfield.  For an overview of their day, click here. 

The public meeting of CFED was from 5:30 - 7:30 pm at the Springfield High School Cafeteria (303 South Street).

Several articles appeared in the local press in advance of this meeting.

In addition to the resources to be found at the regional sites below, local organizers submitted the following background documents to the Commissioners for review:

East-Central Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy report (June 2006)

Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission's Regional Plan (2003)

Local partners in economic development:

These local organizations have lent their time and expertise to CFED to help organize the regional visit.  Their websites contain links to documents and programs that are important resources in understanding the current state of economic opportunity and jobs in the region.