The Economy in Southern Windsor County – 2011

In Springfield, for many years, there was a desire to find the “next thing”. After all, we were the “machine tool capital of the world”. The reality is that Springfield, like the rest of our wonderful state, is not going to be any “one” thing.

http://www.springfielddevelopment.org/blog/?p=135

March 29, 2011

The Economy in Southern Windsor County – 2011

Filed under: SRDC — admin @ 11:53 am

(SRDC Executive Director Bob Flint wrote this piece, which appeared in the Rutland Herald’s “Business Outlook” section on Monday, March 28, 2011)

When I visit businesses in Southern Windsor County, I’m generally hearing a similar message. “Orders are starting to come in” or “things are picking up” or maybe “We’re busier than we’ve been in a while”. But even though the exact words may differ slightly, the common thread is the unspoken nervousness about what may lie ahead.

The companies in this region have shown their resilience and ingenuity in rolling with the punches and are prepared to once again be a part of a resurgent Vermont economy.

We do have our challenges in Southern Vermont. Many businesses struggle to recruit people to fill middle and upper level positions. The historically strong manufacturing workforce is aging. In the Connecticut River Valley, we face competition for people, companies and social infrastructure with our friends across the river in New Hampshire, with no sales or income tax.

Yet, we are heartened to be involved in a dialogue about how best to move the state, the entire state, forward economically. The “Jobs Bill” is a good start in that process. There are several pieces that will help the residents and companies of Vermont, as well as encouraging new growth. The bill would strengthen important existing resources, like the Vermont Training Program (perhaps one of the best economic development tools) and the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive. And it also helps to nurture the important technology workforce of the future and the burgeoning “Farm to Plate” effort to grow that increasing part of the economy.

In Springfield, for many years, there was a desire to find the “next thing”. After all, we were the “machine tool capital of the world”. The reality is that Springfield, like the rest of our wonderful state, is not going to be any “one” thing. It’s a puzzle with many pieces including tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, information technology and much more. An important part of the Jobs Bill is the creation of a current long-term strategic economic development plan, which will help to identify the sectors of importance and the strategies and support they need to flourish in our state.

What’s the best way to retain what we have and put the multiple pieces together into a cohesive picture? That’s the challenge ahead. Springfield Regional Development Corporation, as well as the other RDC’s, is ready, willing and able to do our part in working with our communities and economic development partners to help us all move forward.