CEDS STAFF/GBIC
Frank Cioffi - President
(802) 862-5726 x12
Frank@Vermont.org
Curt Carter - Vice President
(802) 862-5726 x14
Curt@Vermont.org
Seth Bowden - Director of Business Development
(802) 862-5726 x19
seth@vermont.org
ABOUT
The Chittenden County CEDS is a compilation of efforts by volunteers and staff to inventory, once again, all economic development activities within the region. This year nearly 100 individuals, representing nearly as many organizations, were asked to submit their projects to the CEDS process. Additionally, members of our volunteer Citizen Work Groups were asked to formulate and submit any projects they believed were missing and important to the economic wellbeing of the region.
Since August 2005 and the certification of the original Chittenden County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document, much has changed in the region and within the organizations submitting the CEDS Report. Staff members integral to the compilation of the original report have now moved onto other regions or onto projects which will have a great and lasting impact on the economic development of Chittenden County. It is first and foremost that their efforts to bringing the original Chittenden County CEDS Document to fruition be recognized.
Arguably, the most important piece of the CEDS document is contained in the Implementation Plan (Section VII, part B of this CEDS document). Within the Implementation Plan is the cumulative inventory of economic development projects for the Chittenden County region. Each of the projects was culled by its respective Citizen Work Group and was evaluated using criteria and methods developed in 2005 as part of the initial CEDS process; each of the steps will be explained in greater detail below.
The Chittenden County CEDS Process is long and involved, seeking time and effort from many individuals and organizations throughout the community. The CEDS for the Greater Burlington area is founded in, and successful due to collaboration, volunteerism and outreach.
Public Involvement
If you are interested in getting involved in the CEDS process for Chittenden County there are several ways to do so:
- As a stakeholder organization you may submit projects to the CEDS process
- All projects are subjected to evaluation by GBIC Staff, the Citizen Work Groups (CWGS) and CEDS Committees; a layout of the CEDS process can be seen here. Click here to submit a project.
- As a volunteer you can join one of the Citizen Work Groups and have a part in the evaluation of each project respective to your specific CWG. Please email Seth Bowden, CEDS Coordinator, if you are interested in participating in this process. CWGs meet every spring during the annual CEDS process.
- Attend our public hearings before the Annual CEDS Report is approved by the CEDS committee. Several Public Hearings will be held prior to August 1st for public feedback.