It is pretty clear now, after just two weeks, that this legislative session is going to focus most of its attention on Vermont businesses and what can be done to help create jobs.  That's good news.  You and your businesses are the center of attention.

Unfortunately, our moment in the sun comes at a time of extremely restricted resources that requires very tough choices. Do we prop up traditional but failing sectors of our economy, or do we invest meager resources in fledgling but growing sectors? Do we support individual business proposals with rebates and incentives, or do we invest in social and physical infrastructures that we all depend on? Do we invest for the short term to get us through this crisis, or do we focus on the structural and long-term changes we know we'll need?

Regardless of the size or shape of your business, there are discussions going on right now under the golden dome in Montpelier that will impact your business and that you need to know about. As a member of VBSR, you have a seat at the tables where these decisions are made.  Here are a few things you can do to get involved:

Come to our Legislative Reception on Thursday, February 4th at Julio's Cantina in Montpelier from 5 to 7 PM.

Sign up to testify at the Legislature's Jobs Forum on January 21st.  You can do that by contacting your representative or by emailing Andrea at andreac@vbsr.org.

Follow our legislative blog for updates and news throughout the session.

Follow us on Twitter at VBSRPolicy for quick daily updates.

VBSR Networking Get-Together co-hosted by
Magnolia Bistro and Business Culture Consultants
Wednesday, January 27, 2010; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Magnolia Bistro, One Lawson Lane, Burlington, VT
For more details visit our web site event listing.
To RSVP or for help with carpooling, please contact VBSR at 802/862-8347 or info@vbsr.org.

 
SAVE THE DATES!
2010 Spring Conference
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hilton Hotel; Burlington, VT
For more information on sponsoring the conference or submitting a workshop proposal, visit our web site conference page.
Terry Ehrich Award Dinner
Tuesday evening, May 4, 2010
See the announcement below for details on submitting a nomination for this year's award winner.

The Legislative session has gotten off to a fast start. Visit the the VBSR policy blog for some recent updates and the week 1 summary.

Please join us on Thursday, February 4th for our annual Legislative Reception to be held at Julio's Cantina in Montpelier. Meet and network with legislators and VBSR members. It is always a productive and fun event. We hope to see you there.
Visit our web site event listing for details.
Many thanks to our reception sponsors!
Washington Electric Cooperative
National Life Group, and
Kimbell Sherman Ellis, LLP

You can also follow us on Twitter at VBSRPolicy for quick daily updates.

Who Do You Know?
Each year VBSR honors an outstanding member with the Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. Named for the late owner of Hemmings Motor News and founder of the First Day Foundation, the Terry Ehrich Award is given annually to a person who exemplifies Terry's commitment to the environment, workplace and community. The award will be presented at the VBSR Annual Awards dinner on May 4, 2010. Deadline for nominations is February 28, 2010. Please visit our web site event listing for more information and to submit your nomination.

Gates and Kellogg Study Finds Growing Competitiveness for Community Food Enterprises (CFEs)
In early December 2009, the Wallace Center at Winrock International and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) announced the release of Community Food Enterprise: Local Success in a Global Marketplace, a groundbreaking study of 24 locally owned food businesses from around the world that provides detailed analyses of their financial, social, and environmental performance. The Intervale Center in Burlington, VT was selected as one of the model community food enterprises included in the study. Read more...

ReNew Salvage Receives Grants
ReNew Building Materials and Salvage has been awarded two grants totaling $85,000 towards the completion of the recycled materials warehouse at their current location off Putney Road. Erich Kruger, Executive Director, cited several benefits to the community in the applications of both grants. Read more...

Two VBSR members win awards at the 2009 aiaVT Excellence in Architecture Design Awards
TruexCullins received a Merit Award in the Residential Category for a two unit home for a multigenerational family. The units are connected via a common entry and south facing glass hallway, which also serves as a collector of solar energy. 

 LineSync Architecture of Wilmington was given an Honor Award in the Public Project category for Wilmington's "Bank Park." The Jury was unanimous in its praise of this community project and recognized it as one of the best two submitted projects.
Read more about both awards...

Tune in here for current news about Local First Vermont and other local economies features...

Nationwide Survey Shows Power of "Buy Local" Campaigns
Locally-owned independent businesses outperform average retailer sales during 2009 holidays. Those with active Buy Local campaigns fared best.

More holiday shoppers deliberately sought out locally owned businesses this year, according to a national survey of more than 1,800 independent businesses.

The survey found that holiday sales for independent retailers were up an average of 2.2%. That contrasts with the U.S. Department of Commerce figures released today, which show that overall retail sales were down 0.3% in December and up 1.8% in November.

Read more...