Twelve partner organizations were announced as recipients of funding through the Grants for Relocation Outreach Work (GROW) program, an initiative that the Vermont Chamber championed funding for in the last legislative session. The grant, administered by the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, will have a positive impact on workforce recruitment and retention. It is an essential step forward to addressing Vermont’s demographic crisis. The GROW grants are divided into two tracks – the Regional Relocation Network Track and the Outreach Track.

Regional Relocation Network Track: Grantees will complement and support the State’s relocation lead generation and distribution system on ThinkVermont.com. Grantees will be required to connect with and follow up on generated leads of potential residents interested in moving to their area.

• Addison County Economic Development Corporation
• Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
• Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation
• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Montpelier Downtown Community Association
• Northern Forest Center
• Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region
• Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
• Vermont Professionals of Color Network

Outreach Track: Grantees will organize events and/or conduct activities that promote their region to prospective residents and/or help new residents feel welcome in their new community. Events can target recently relocated families and individuals or potential new residents to support their relocation to Vermont. This track could also include the creation of regional marketing assets to assist with outreach.

• Addison County Economic Development Corporation
• Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
• Chandler Center for the Arts
• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Montpelier Downtown Community Association
• Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce
• Northern Forest Center
• Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region
• Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce
• Vital Communities