Green Mountain Economic Development

Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation

Our Mission
To foster and develop economic vitality and prosperity consistent with the goals of the communities we serve.

State’s Mission: To lead and coordinate statewide efforts to foster the growth of higher quality jobs and a strong diversified economy. To promote and foster Vermont businesses in order to broaden capital growth, deepen employee participation, retain jobs, increase living standards for working families, and stabilize communities

Economic Development Planning –
Along with our Regional Planning Commission partners, GMEDC can assist with the sorting out of development problems, goals and initiatives. This may include brownfields remediation, new sewer or water requirements, downtown or village designation, etc. and other assistance as needed.

GMEDC is always ready to discuss development issues with planning commissions, Selectboards and others. Often we can provide some insight, advice and referral to other agencies.

Services

Overview of Services -
Business Services

Access to capital by acquainting clients with loan opportunities through the many institutions and agencies available.
Regularly acquaint clients to the opportunities available through the Vermont Economic Progress Council.
A data base is available to assist clients in site selection. We work closely with local Real Estate Professionals in the endeavor as well.
We can assist clients in obtaining local and state permits for anticipated business projects.
We acquaint clients with Vermont Training Programs which may generate cash reimbursement for up to one half of the cost of training new or incumbent workers.
GMEDC has an exceptionally strong relationship with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) whose highly skilled counselors are available for advice for start-ups, expansions, problems resolutions and many other issues.

Municipal Services

We work to help service grants for our constituent Towns and Villages. We can also help in administration of those grants.
GMEDC manages several revolving loan funds for towns that choose to not do these themselves and do not want larger organizations managing these funds for them. We can market the funds, make loans, service loans, and do the accounting, reporting, collection and recovery of loans.

Our Towns

About our Region
The GMEDC region encompasses thirty townships in east central Vermont. The eastern border of the region includes the "Upper Valley" of the Connecticut River with its fertile bottom lands. To the west, rolling hills and pristine mountain streams extend to the foot of the Green Mountains. The region offers diverse recreational, cultural and educational opportunities including:

Recreational
Exceptional skiing, riding and cross country skiing
Excellent, world class golf courses.
Warm and cold water fishing and other water sports.
Mountain biking, hiking and snowmobile trails.

Cultural
Northern Stage/Briggs Opera House
Montshire Museum of Science
Vermont Institute of Natural Science
River City Arts
Chandler Art Gallery and Music Hall
Hopkins Center for the Performing Arts
Lebanon Opera House

Educational
Vermont Technical College
Vermont Law School
Community College of Vermont
The College for Life Long Learning
Dartmouth College

Who We Are

NEAL FOX - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Neal brings a diverse array of expertise to GMEDC. A retired Colonel, Army Infantry; he has also been a business owner for many years and is active in numerous community and civic affairs. He is familiar with Municipal Government as former Chairman of his Union School District and current Chairman of his Town Selectboard.

JILL LEPISKO - Assistant Director

Jill brings over a decade of experience in the lending industry to GMEDC. She is the office manager, marketing director, bookkeeper, grant administrator, and the Revolving Loan administrator for three funds which GMEDC is under contract to manage.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ED CHILDS – PRESIDENT
TODD STEADMAN – VICE PRESIDENT
ELDEN DUBE – SECRETARY
JOSEPH BOYD – TREASURER
ALLEN MALCOM – PAST PRESIDENT
JOAN GOLDSTEIN – AT LARGE
JENNIFER EMENS-BUTLER – AT LARGE
MARK JOHNSON
JAMES MASLAND
PETER SCHAAL
KEN ROGER
JOSHUA POWERS
JOE SAMPSON
KIM WHALEN

Vermont Economic Development Authority

Vermont Manufacturers Extension Service

Vermont Small Business Development Center

Vermont Training Program

Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development

Vermont World Trade Office

U.S. Small Business Administration

Upper Valley Commerce and Education Alliance