Invest In Our Youth, Part 2

Dear Friend, "Our Youth are Our Biggest Investment"  My father used these words of encouragement when he was being inducted into the NY State Telephone Association Hall of Fame. He could have focused on his personal achievements or thanked those who helped him rise to the top, but instead, he focused on the future - the next generation of telephone industry greats. I have never forgotten that moment when he made it very clear that if we want greatness in the future, we have to turn to the youth of today.

Why Internships? Back in June I wrote: "Each time a student gets an opportunity to experience work in a business close to home, the more likely that student is to staying in that job and setting up house in that town. Each time a student gets a feeling of belonging, they will consider that a tremendous pull to set up in that area. We all like to feel wanted and welcomed. If we don't create the internship opportunities in Franklin County then we are to blame if our homegrown move on to greener pastures."   How Do We Make it Happen? While we might not have all the answers today, there is a movement afoot to mobilize local businesses in a way that will attract more talent to the area. This coming Thursday, July 31st at 3:30 in the St. Albans Free Library, Kathy Lavoie and Roxanne Vought will be leading an open discussion on how we can bring quality internship opportunities to Franklin County. Plan to be there. Click Here to Register.   The Light Bulb  I know that Kathy struggled for a bit trying to find the right message to bring to this seminar. The more she thought on it the more she was convinced that what people wanted to hear was not what they had already heard time and time again. Instead, she was convinced that what people wanted was an open dialogue with focus on the "hows" and the tools that one would need to make this all work. I am confident that she is on the right track.   Big Smiles In June I also mentioned that smiles were a good indicator of the success of bringing our youth back to Franklin County. Join us this Friday as we explore new ways to bring more smiles to Franklin County. And as my father was also fond of saying; "Kids - something to smile about." See you there - seats are limited and filling fast.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

The Great Branch Mixer

Dear Friends, Branching Out One of the primary goals of the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce for 2014 was to make strides toward truly becoming a Regional Chamber. We have taken several significant steps toward that goal. First we have created Branch branding that features each town as a part of the Chamber look and feel. Second, we have added new Board members representing Swanton, Fairfax, Enosburg, and Richford. And third, we have actively promoted activities and events in all of Franklin County. We are getting there.

A Branch Mixer The next step is to host at Kick-Off Mixer in as many different Franklin County towns as we can reach. A mixer is a great way to get to know more about each other. For example, the Chamber hears first hand the needs and concerns of the community. The Community learns what the Chamber can provide for services and more importantly, what the Chamber can do for them. And people get to meet people. One of the greatest successes of a good mixer is that you have come to know just one person a little better than you did before.    How Does It Work? Typically we look for a company or agency to serve as the host. The host provides the space and works with the Chamber and other co-hosts to provide a bit of food, a drink and a few door prizes. Maybe you invite a local not-for-profit to spread their message as well. Or maybe you have a great idea for a mixer format that would knock the socks off your community. We are pretty flexible.   Once the date and location are set, the Chamber starts the promotion, does the recruiting and sends out the invitations. We work the door and help you organize the program for the night. This is an opportunity for you and your co-hosts to tell the community about your businesses. And believe me, they are interested.     Raise Your Hand We are looking for hosts in Swanton, Enosburg, Fairfax, Highgate, Georgia, Franklin, Sheldon, Montgomery, Berkshire, Fletcher, Fairfield, Bakersfield and Richford. Maybe two or three towns combine efforts. Whatever makes sense for you will make sense for us and we will make it happen.   If you have an interest in being a Mixer Host please contact our office at info@fcrccvt.com or call 524-2444 - we can take it from there. We have a waiting list for mixers in St. Albans (City/Town/Bay) so if you want to see one in action before committing, join us Thursday, August 14th at Cross Engineering - come see what all the noise is about.   Mixer, MIXER! Step right up and host your very own...

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

Governor & Lt. Governor Luncheon Follow Up and More...

Dear Friends, First Things First Gubernatorial is just an odd word. Anything beginning with Guber should give you pause. So, is someone who is running for the second spot called a Lieutenant Gubernatorial candidate? I think I'll just stick with Gov. and Lt. Gov. A bit more informal I know, but in the long run at least it doesn't make me laugh each time I write it.

VACCE Luncheon Follow Up I did have a chance to hear four of the candidates for the state's top positions speak at our VACCE luncheon yesterday. I have to say that we are truly blessed to live in a state where we have such access to our political officers and candidates. To be able to shake hands with the leaders of your state and to have them have time to listen to your concerns is refreshing and something that I do not take lightly.   Gov. Peter Shumlim and Gov. candidate Scott Milne; Lt. Gov. Phil Scott and Lt. Gov. candidate Dean Corren all had 30-40 minutes to answer prepared questions and, as time allowed, questions from the floor.    Read All About It I took copious notes and tried my best to capture what each candidate had to offer. Of course I didn't get everything and some of what I did get is in short hand but overall I hope you can take away a small sense of the tone of the day.   I put all of my notes in a separate blog page so as to not tie up this space. Click on the link and you will see what I was able to collect.  See Conversation Here.   Your Voice Was Heard Several members responded to my survey last week and eight questions were submitted for inclusion in the discussion. All eight questions were represented in some way or another in the collection presented to the candidates. You are being heard.   Mixer, Mixer, MIXER! Tomorrow, the Chamber mixer will be held at the Westaff offices in Mapleville Depot. there is still time to sign up. Read More...

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick

VACCE Gov & Lt Gov Notes

To all,

The Vermont Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (VACCE) held an informal question and answer period with the candidates for Governor and Lt Governor. Each candidate was asked similar questions from a pool compiled form input from various Chamber members.

Here is a smattering of notes, half sentences, sound bites and prepared statements from each of the candidates. Each candidate was given 30-40 minutes to respond to prepared questions and to take questions from the floor. Candidates met with VACCE member one at a time. I realize that all that I share may not make sense, I tried to get as much as I could.

First I'll briefly restate the questions and number them for reference.

Q1. What do you hope to accomplish in the area of economic development?
Q2. Tourism spending has been flat - how do you see us achieving greater results in this area?
Q3. Neighboring states are offering economic development incentives - what strategies do you recommend for attracting businesses to Vermont?
Q4. Vermont Health Connect has left a lot to be desired. What do we do for Phase 2 to regain the trust of Vermonters?
Q5. How will we fund a single payer health care system.
Q6. Cost of education continues to rise while student population declines. What will you do to effect cost controls across the state?

Gov. Peter Shumlin (D), incumbent, has not fully announced his intent to run for re-election and does not intend to campaign until late July.

Q4. We chose to build our own program because what the feds had to offer was less generous than what we had planned for Vermonters. We found out that it is very complex and had never been done before. Not like shopping for a book on Amazon.

Q5. Greatest barrier to growth in Vermont is the cost of healthcare. We are being told that the cost to operate a one payer system in 2017 is $2.3B. Our plan is to reduce that cost to $1.6 - 2.0B. We will build a system based on ability to pay. In order for a single payer system to work we must reduce spending. Should healthcare continue to be tax deductible? Still working on it. Change has to happen - let's figure it out.

Q1&Q3. $4.5M offered in new business incentives. Increase in downtown tax credits. Creation of VTjobs.com to promote jobs. Broadband to every last mile. Revolutionizing education - now can get a free year of college while still in high school through CCV. Last year paid for if you stay and work in Vermont for 5 years. The energy sector now makes up 4.5% of our workforce.

Q6. We are down 30K students with the same administrative infrastructure. We need to respond to the student population and help school districts right size.

Scott Milne (R), North Pomfret - Gubernatorial candidate.

I am a sixth generation Vermonter and come from a family who has served the State in various political and public service roles. I believe that we have a hard time raising our kids living and working in Vermont. And we have a tougher time convincing our children to do the same.

Q4. Compared to New Hampshire, Vermont Health Connect stinks. they were able to take advantage of the Fed program and implement it for $8M and it runs perfectly from day one. We spent over $80M and we got a piece of crap.

Q3. One third of the national economic growth is generated in small businesses. We need to set a business friendly tone in Montpelier. Every job is a good job. I just announced my campaign manager and he started a new campaign management company as a result. I can at least take credit for one new job in Vermont.

Q6. We must address the education issues by increasing leadership in the legislature. We must increase the quality of education K-12.

Q5. he does not claim to have a solution to the funding of the healthcare system. Believes that it must be fixed before it can be promoted further.

He is not pushing an agenda but rather listening to what people have to offer.

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott (R) - incumbent.

Q4. There have been many problems with the system and it has not been tested properly. Recommends more testing and an opportunity to work out the bugs before making businesses comply. He is skeptical but open minded that the system can be fixed. Referenced NH's success at $8M. We need to do better than what we have done.

Q5. We have not been shown anything regarding the single payer model - no answers to this point.

Q1. I am business focused. Every day is a struggle for VT businesses. There is a crisis of affordability across the state. he is disappointed with the property tax reform direction.

Q6. In the short term, he recommends closing smaller schools and increasing class sizes. The state is not growing - we are losing people in the 25-35 age group and our population is aging. We need to adjust accordingly.

Q1. We need more incentives to encourage other companies to enter Vermont and we need to take care of our current businesses. If a company is lining up items to compare cost of doing business in different states, Vermont has to look better. It is difficult to make a long-term investment in Vermont with so much uncertainty.  

We need to be practical, understand the issues and vote for what is right.

Dean Corren (Progressive seeking Democratic nomination) - Lt. Gubernatorial Candidate

Spent 8 years in the VT House, has a degree from NYU in Philosophy and Physics, masters thesis on how to get off fossil fuels.

Q1. In order to create great jobs we must have a plan to create a high tech center, increase pay, increase quality of life, educational opportunities, and centers of excellence. Get together and talk about creative solutions for economic development. Create tax breaks to do business in Vermont. Work to keep our young people in the state.

Q5. Move healthcare burden off small businesses in Vermont "Healthcare will set us aside." Control costs and improve efficiency.

Q6. Education is a formula of cost vs. quality. Quality is paramount - need to get people together to talk about how best to approach this issue.

Did not have an answer regarding tourism and special education concerns - would get people together to talk out the issues.

Believes that technology, statistics, data, and group discussions are the keys to success.

Epilogue

Eight questions were submitted by Chamber members as a result of our recent survey. All eight were represented in the final set of questions in one form or another. You are being heard.

Dave Southwick
Executive Director

Governor & Lt. Governor Luncheon

Dear Friend, The Political Season is Upon Us I have been preparing to be a useful voice for the members of the Franklin County Regional Chamber of Commerce as we enter into a new political season. The Games are about to begin.

VACCE Luncheon First up on the agenda is a visit with the candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor. Next Tuesday our Vermont Chamber Executive group, VACCE, will be lunching with four candidates for the 2014 elections. On the agenda are Gov. Peter Shumlim and Gov. candidate Scott Milne; Lt. Gov. Phil Scott and Lt. Gov. candidate Dean Corren.    Your Voice Can Be Heard What I think, is not nearly as important as what you think. Therefore, I have set up a simple survey to let you share your concerns and questions for the candidates. Click on the link below and enter your questions. You can ask specific questions for a specific candidate or enter a general question for all candidates.   I will compile the list and send it to the VACCE moderator who will in turn ask your questions of the candidates. Unless you want your name attached to your questions, all questions will remain anonymous - only attached to the Chamber.   Don't Wait I will be ending the survey on Friday and compiling the responses. Don't wait to be heard - fill out the survey now.  CLICK HERE TO BEGIN.   I am Excited to Represent the Voice of Franklin County Many people have spent endless hours in my office helping me to understand the political process in our county and state. As I learn more, I am confident that I can get your voice in front of the right people in a timely fashion. Let's give it a shot.

Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick Executive Director  802 524-2444