In honor of her work as a business leader and community advocate, Leslie McCrorey-Wells, co-owner of restaurants Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria Delia, and Sotto Enoteca, and a member of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Independent Restaurant Leadership Council, was presented with the Catherine McAuley Award.
“I want to be a business that’s giving back to its community and helping keep it strong,” McCrorey-Wells said in Nora Peachin’s report for Burlington Free Press.
Learn about Leslie and the award in Burlington Free Press’s article ‘Combatting racism: Burlington restaurant owner recognized for her social justice work’.
Take two minutes to learn about the Economic Recovery Bridge Program and what businesses can be helped through it. Apply for the program here.
Connect with us at govaffairs@vtchamber.com.
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce our new website — a culmination of work by our staff, led by Communications Director Maggie Wilson and Business Technology Director Eric Scharnberg, and developer Mary Ward of Chamber Member Brown Dog Communications.
As the largest statewide business organization, the Vermont Chamber represents all industries and sectors, from tourism, manufacturing, and retail to health care, construction, and technology. Tour our new website to learn how we are making Vermont the best place to live, work, and start a business.
There are brand new features to explore, including:
Through our new website and other online work, the Vermont Chamber is moving intentionally to focus on our digital environment and services. Please reach out with questions.
This month, we are spotlighting Vermont Chamber member HEB Manufacturing.
They specialize in custom Fourslide Wireforms, Press Stamping Components, and Services. Incorporated in 1957 and employing 35 people, they are small enough to maintain a personal relationship with their customers but provide the flexibility of a small business, as well as the equipment, experience, and ability of larger corporations in meeting their customers’ individual requirements.
They have a modern plant of 35,000 square feet and have an ISO 9001 quality certification as well as WBENC certification.
Visit HEB Manufacturing’s website to learn more!
Montpelier, VT (July 2, 2021) –
“We are surprised and disappointed by Governor Scott’s veto of S.79. The Administration did not indicate they had a serious problem with the bill, which had a wide range of supporters, at any point during the 2021 legislative session. The sudden change of course is difficult to understand, considering several Administration officials publicly offered support [1] for the legislation over the last few months.
S.79 would have ensured a safe rental environment while also moving Vermont toward greater regulatory equity in the lodging marketplace. As an example, licensed lodging properties were subject to onsite visits from officials throughout the pandemic for compliance checks. Short-term rentals (STR) were exempt from this because they are permitted to operate anonymously; owners could not be contacted and there is no system in place for open lines of communication with the State. With thousands of STR units in Vermont, we believe it is important that these property owners receive communications on how to ensure the health and safety of the traveling public.
Vermont’s lodging businesses have suffered disproportionately throughout the pandemic, yet they have been public health champions. The passage of this bill would have provided a glimmer of hope for licensed lodging properties and would have demonstrated that the Administration understands the need to level the playing field for businesses providing overnight accommodations. The Vermont Chamber will continue advocating for the establishment of an STR registry when the Legislature reconvenes.”
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About the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents every sector of the state’s business community. Its mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.
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[1] A review of recorded testimony offered by the Administration shows Department of Housing and Community Development Housing Program Administer Shaun Gilpin explaining the benefits of the bill for BIPOC homeownership and saving costs through the establishment of a rental registry and Department of Health Public Policy Advisor Shayla Livingston explaining the Department had no objections to the bill. These are just two of several examples of Administration officials speaking favorably of the bill.
Take two minutes to learn how Vermont businesses are doing now that pandemic restrictions are lifted, and what they still need to recover.
You can connect with our President Betsy Bishop at bbishop@vtchamber.com.
This month, in partnership with Vermont Business Magazine and Best Companies Group, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce revealed 2021’s Best Places to Work in Vermont.
Companies from across the state entered a two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Vermont. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Vermont and analyzed the data, using their expertise to determine the final rankings. View the full list of the 50 Best Places to Work here.
The Vermont Chamber analyzed employee survey responses to pull enlightening statistics and fun ideas shared by winning organizations. See them collected below or in a visual summary in this infographic. We hope these ideas and statistics inspire you in your own workplace:
Statistics Among Winning Organizations
Fun Ideas for Wellness and Fitness
Fun Ideas for Office Environments and Workplaces
Fun Ideas for Food and Games
The Legislature passed S.79, a lodging bill that would establish a statewide short-term rental (STR) registry. The bill was messaged to the Governor’s office where it awaits further action.
The Vermont Chamber has long believed that registration of STRs is a necessary first step to improve communication while also providing valuable data if, in the future, the State chooses to enforce health and safety regulations like those implemented to protect public health during the pandemic. The foundation set by establishing a STR registry would be a positive development toward ensuring a safe rental environment and moving towards equity in the lodging marketplace.
Prior to the bill’s passage in the Legislature, the Vermont Chamber sent a letter to the full Senate expressing support for S.79. Governor Scott has recently voiced concern over the legislation, and it is unknown whether he will allow the bill to become law.
If the Governor vetoes the bill, the Legislature will likely attempt to override the veto when they reconvene in October or January. Contact Vermont Chamber Vice President of Tourism Amy Spear with questions or for assistance with contacting Governor Scott to voice your support for S.79.
Take two minutes to learn about alcohol to-go in Vermont & how it helps our restaurants and businesses.
You can connect with our Vice President of Tourism Amy Spear at aspear@vtchamber.com.
