Unfortunately it looks like the region still doesn’t qualify for EDA funding, however with the election looming EDA criteria may start to change in January.  Click here if you would like to download the 2008 Report (in PDF).  Or visit the documents page to see a past iteration.

2008_ceds_report.pdf

All projects are automatically included in the CEDS report which will be submitted to the EDA later this summer (August 08).  If you are interested in more detailed information about any of the projects please contact Mr. Thibault asap.

Comments are welcome until June 29th, 2008.  At that time the commenting period will close and the CEDS report draft will be available for a similar comment period soon after.

To access the 15 new projects please click here.  Additionally, if you’d like to view the update letter sent out to CEDS stakeholders during the week of June 9th please click here.

Any projects listed in the CEDS are entitled to letters of support through the initiative, please contact Joseph Thibault for more information.  If you have specific questions about any of the grants listed please do not hesistate to contact the CEDS coordinators or the grant sponsors directly.

Thank you to all of our CEDS volunteers and partners for their hard work in ‘07.

March 2008

Hello,

Over the past 4 years GBIC and its partners have worked to sustain the Chittenden County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) by collecting the region’s information, culling it and submitting it to the Federal Economic Development Administration (EDA). The document represents the largest clearing house and database of economic development projects and plans in Chittenden County.

Unfortunately, GBIC was notified during the 2007 report process that Chittenden County (and any project included in its CEDS) does not currently qualify for EDA funding. Despite this fact, it is important to maintain and continue the CEDS process in the event of a severe economic downturn in the region. By sustaining the CEDS in Chittenden County our region remains prepared.

In an effort to continue the CEDS and to provide value-add to our submitting organizations, this year the CEDS coordinators have eased the submission process and will be providing project specific funding recommendations from our database of local grant opportunities. If your organization is pursuing an economic development project the CEDS process can help by providing

1. information on grants available for economic development;

2. letters of support for projects submitted;

3. assistance in refining and vetting projects before the grant writing process begins.

In this packet of information you will find a form to submit new projects and a spreadsheet of any projects your organization submitted previously. If you would rather submit projects digitally please do so at http://gbicvtceds.org/ and click “projects”. Additionally, any projects that your organization or municipality submitted in previous CEDS reports are automatically included this year. If there have been any substantial changes to projects sponsored by your organization (changes, edits, completions) please report them to Joseph Thibault at { joseph.thibault AT gmail DOT com}.

Please submit all new projects and changes to existing projects by April 30^th, 2008.

We thank you in advance for contributing once more to the Chittenden County CEDS, your involvement in this process helps the report remain the most comprehensive economic development database in Northwestern Vermont.

Sincerely,

Joseph Thibault, CEDS Coordinator

Letter to Project Champions 3-25-08

February 1^st, 2008

Dear Chittenden County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Participant,

I am excited to be managing the CEDS Process for Chittenden County once more and to be working closely with GBIC to complete our Annual Report. Recently, our CEDS Annual Report for 2007 was accepted by the EDA and we are now beginning to work on the 2008 process. In the coming months there are several steps of the CEDS Report that will be completed, including a project solicitation from organizations and municipalities throughout Chittenden County, evaluation of those projects and the revision of our annual report document.

This year two student interns from the University of Vermont will assist in completing the CEDS process. They are both looking forward to the process.

A few minor changes will help to streamline the process while making it more community-based and easier for all of our CEDS volunteers and participating project champions. One of the most important will be a new website designed for greater communication and the ability to submit new projects online. If you would rather receive future mailings by email please send a quick note to {Joseph.Thibault AT gmail DOT com} and all future communications will be coordinated electronically.

In the next few weeks we will be seeking new project submissions from the community and will solidify our CEDS schedule. Until then, please contact me anytime with questions (802-578-7422 or Joseph.Thibault AT gmail DOT com) and enjoy the beautiful winter.

Wishing you the best,

Joseph Thibault, CEDS Coordinator

CEDS Kick off Letter 2-1-08