ENews Sponsors
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING VBSR'S NEWSLETTER? E-mail info@vbsr.org
or call 802/862-8347 to secure a space today.
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Welcome New VBSR Members!
Too many to list here...please visit the full list on our web site. __________________ |
VBSR Marketplace
an online business-to-business marketplace using trade dollars valued the same as cash
Member OfferFrom Onion River Sports, MontpelierOnion River Sports Gift Cards $50 each, 100% trade. Onion River Sports has the finest selection of bicycles, cross-country skis, snowshoes, camping & hiking gear, outdoor footwear and the clothing to do it in. Also good at The Shoe Horn and Onion River Kids.  ~~~~~~~~~~
Member RequestFrom Vermont Public Radio, Colchester16 Conference Chairs with Casters. Black. New or Used in Good Condition.  For more information about the VBSR Marketplace, please visit the web site. __________________ |
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 What's Next? Indeed!
It was wonderful to engage with so many VBSR members at the fall conference last week. As we explored "What's Next for Vermont?", we delved into public policy, solo entrepreneurship, social media, employee engagement, and environmental sustainability. We are appreciative of all the great ideas and inspiration provided by the presenters and participants. In 2011 we will continue to focus on how we can contribute to making Vermont an even better place to do business--an expanded SR Journey, the launch of our Business Energy Action project, the "Action Item" interview program, and of course our other core programs. More on all of these soon...
We are feeling positive about our future. In our recent member policy survey, 87% of members reported that Vermont is a good place to do business. We head into 2011 with a newly elected Governor, whose economic development agenda closely mirrors VBSR's own--meaningful health care reform, locally produced renewable energy and energy efficiency, development of our local food systems, and strategic investments in our social and physical infrastructure that benefit all Vermont businesses. We will continue to advocate for economic development policy that builds on Vermont's unique strengths and we hope you will actively engage with us as we move ahead. Please let Dan know about any public policy issues of particular concern to your business. It is so important that we continue to hear from you. Also, please remember to support other VBSR members this holiday season, and contact Tara if you want to buy bulk quantities of VBSR Local First Coupon Books for your friends, family, or staff! We hope to see you at the Dec. 9th Public Policy Forum in Burlington.
All the best, Andrea
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VBSR Educational and Networking Events
Local First Vermont Community Night at the Bluebird TavernWednesday, November 17, 2010; 5:00 - 9:00 pmBluebird Tavern, 317 Riverside Avenue, Burlington, VTJoin us for dinner, drinks and networking at Bluebird Tavern in Burlington on November 17th. 10% of proceeds goes to support Local First Vermont. The food is local, the beer/wine list is extensive and the company will be friendly folks from VBSR and Local First Vermont. Space is limited, so please make sure to reserve with the Bluebird Tavern by calling 802-540-1786, or RSVP on Facebook.
VBSR Public Policy ForumThursday, December 9, 2010; 3:30 - 6:30 pmBlack Box Theater, Lake & College Building, 60 Lake Street, Burlington, VT
VBSR will host a public policy forum featuring a keynote address by House Speaker Shap Smith. Governor-elect Peter Shumlin has also been invited. For more information and to RSVP, contact VBSR at 802-862-8347 or info@vbsr.org. Many thanks to our event supporters!
 Sponsors - Ben & Jerry's, Vermont Energy Investment Corp. and Kimbell Sherman Ellis, LLC   __________________________________________________________ |
VBSR Public Policy Update
VBSR's Fall Conference at Mount Snow in West Dover was a major success this year! More than 130 members turned out for the event and heard an inspiring keynote address from Brenda Palms Barber, the executive director of Chicago's North Lawndale Employment Network, and the founder of Sweet Beginnings, LLC. VBSR's Public Policy Manager Dan Barlow also discussed results from the organization's 2010 membership survey, including findings on energy, health care and the economy.
On December 9, VBSR will host a Burlington policy forum at the Lake & College Building's Black Box Theater. House Speaker Shap Smith will deliver the keynote address, and Governor-elect Peter Shumlin has also been invited. See the Events section above for details.
Speaking of Shumlin, Vermont's new governor has made it clear that his administration will focus on an issue near and dear to VBSR members' hearts: reforming health care. He told the Green Mountain Daily blog in November that Vermont has an opportunity to create a health care system that "contains costs so that we're not spending a million dollars a day than we were before. Second, where health care follows the individual and is not a requirement of the employer. And third, where health care is a right, not a privilege."
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 Local Matters
Tune in here for current news about Local First Vermont and other local economies features...
8th Annual Buy Local Week!
November 26 to December 5, 2010 Buy Local Week coincides with the busiest holiday shopping of the year--a perfect time to support independent, locally owned businesses in your community! Visit the web site of Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) to find organizing resources to download, links to information on Buy Local Campaigns, and to find out what some BALLE network members have planned for the week. Read more...
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VBSR Member News
Alex Wilson, Founder of BuildingGreen, Selected for the 2010 Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing
Annual $50,000 award from The Hanley Foundation and EcoHome recognizes visionary environmental building editor, educator, and advocate.
 "Alex Wilson's selection for this year's Hanley Award is a tremendous acknowledgement for his decades of visionary leadership in environmental building," said Michael J. Hanley, creator of the award. "For more than 30 years Alex has quietly and methodically gone about the business of changing the way we build, and in the process has become one of the most influential and trusted voices in the industry." Read more...
 Green Mountain Power Completes Three Major Solar InstallationsGreen Mountain Power has flipped the switch on three new solar projects, bringing its total solar installations to five and exceeding its goal of installing and helping its customers install 10,000 solar panels in 1,000 days. These newest projects include the solar orchard at Shelburne Farms, the roof of the GMP Montpelier Service Center, and a project that is currently the state's largest, next to one of GMP's fossil fuel generating plants in Berlin. All three were designed and installed by Alteris Renewables, Inc., of Montpelier. "We are proud to have topped our 10,000 solar panel goal," President and CEO Mary Powell said. "We are now at 14,000 panels and aiming high. Our customers clearly want more solar and we are determined to help provide it." Read more...
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Vermont Businesses for
