House Commerce Bill Bolsters Workforce and Economic Development

H.484 would enhance workforce and economic development opportunities by investing $40 million in recruitment and retention strategies. The bill includes several initiatives to engage young professionals, adult workers, the climate workforce, the higher education system, and college graduates. The bill also makes economic development investments in the Vermont Training Program, a rural industry development fund, and brownfield remediation. In recent weeks, the Vermont Chamber worked to identify over $10 million of funds from the embattled FY23 COVID Worker Relief Program to be reallocated for workforce development programs in H.484.

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to take additional testimony on this bill next week and the Vermont Chamber will continue to advocate for solutions to workforce recruitment and retention challenges. A complete bill summary is available, here.