Our mission is to foster and develop economic vitality and prosperity consistent with the goals of the communities we serve.
WHAT WE DO...
In partnership with our Regional Planning Commission, GMEDC assists businesses, municipalities and individuals to address development challenges, set goals and find funding. This includes referrals to the Vermont Small Business Development Center, brownfields assessment and remediation, new sewer or water requirements, understanding state regulations, preparing grant and financing applications and much more.
WHY WE DO IT
As one of Vermont’s 12 Regional Development Corporations, we work with the state and the RDC network to support Vermont towns and businesses to help build a strong, diversified economy. A stable economy means a stable community.
OUR STORY
Founded in 1982 as the Green Mountain Industrial Corporation, GMEDC serves as the regional representative of the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Specializing in economic development, we know that economic success depends on far more than business growth alone. Our work isn’t about economics, it’s about people. People start and own businesses, employees need local housing, and residents want local jobs - when the people in our community succeed, we do too.
GMEDC is a trusted community partner. We are here to help you, your community, and your business get where you want to go.
Erika Hoffman-Kiess - GMEDC Executive Director
Our Team.
GMEDC has a small but dedicated team, led by Erika Hoffman-Kiess as Executive Director with Mark Condon as Operation Manager and James Coleman as Program Coordinator.
Erika Hoffman-Kiess
Executive Director
Erika lives in Thetford, Vermont, returning to her childhood home after three decades spent living and working elsewhere in the United States and overseas.
Mark Condon
Operations Manager
Mark Condon brings over 25 years of non-profit administrative experience to his role as GMEDC’s Operation Manager. Mark was born and raised in Bellows Falls, VT.
James Coleman, Jr
Program Coordinator
James relocated to Hartford, VT in the Summer of 2024 from Somerville, MA with his partner and elderly cat, Sunshine. At GMEDC, he manages the Grant for Relocation and Outreach Work (GROW) and the White River Valley Consortium of the Working Communities Challenge (WRVC WCC) programs.
OUR BOARD
Executive Committee
Damian DiNicola
CHAIR
New Title
VICE-CHAIR
(CURRENTLY UNFILLED)
Edwin S. Childs
SECRETARY
Russell North
TREASURER
OUR BOARD
Members
Joseph A. Boyd
Ken Cadow
Lisa Henderson
James Masland
"Bushrod" Powers
Cathy Tempesta
Jay Zanleoni
Our Network
GMEDC works with entities across the spectrum of public and private sectors, academia and non-profits to provide the right connections at the right time. Not all businesses and municipalities have the same needs - our network enables referrals to funding opportunities that fit your capital needs, training programs that build the skills you want, and information resources that provide answers to your specific questions.
Agency of Commerce & Community Dev
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development enhances the business climate, develops tourism, and strengthens Vermont communities.
VtSBDC
Vermont Small Business Development Center provides no-cost professional guidance to area business owners including training programs and confidential advising.
TRORC
Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission in east-central Vermont provides technical services to support a thriving regional economy and enhance the quality of life.
VEDA
Vermont Economic Development Authority contributes to economic vitality by providing an array of financing programs to eligible businesses
VMEC
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center provides hands-on assistance and proven solutions to help state manufacturers improve processes and grow profitably.
VCRD
Vermont Council on Rural Development is a collaborative non-profit using community-based facilitation to identify and address locally-defined issues that impact rural life.
VCN
Vermont Creative Network is a broad collective of organizations, businesses, and individuals working to advance the state’s creative sector.
Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce
Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce serves the five villages in Hartford and surrounding areas to promote and enhance the economic environment.
Cohase Chamber of Commerce
The Cohase Chamber serves Vermont and New Hampshire communities, fostering a vibrant economic climate in the northern reaches of the Upper Valley.
Randolph Economic Dev Corporation
REDC serves an advisory role to the Selectboard, enhancing economic opportunities for businesses and organizations within the town.
Randolph Area Community Dev Corp
Randolph Area Community Development Corporation is an affordable housing and community development nonprofit working to strengthen social and economic assets.
VTC
Vermont Technical College, part of the state system, is a technical college in Randolph Center with 10 additional campuses located throughout the state.
Vital Communities
A non-profit cultivating the civic, environmental, and economic vitality of the bi-state Upper Valley, a 69 town region spanning the Connecticut River.
ECVEDD
The East Central Vermont Economic Development District provides resources to facilitate quality decision making for the benefit of area businesses and communities.
The Local Crowd Upper Valley
The Local Crowd Upper Valley is a community-based crowdfunding platform that cultivates an ecosystem of investors, social enterprises, and local economy champions.
