ICYMI: Douglas helps welcome company back

Chairman's [Rob Roper] Note: This good news story about Vermont jobs, Douglas helps welcome company back, demonstrates the important difference between just talking about economic development, and actually DOING something about it. "...Harrison said he was also encouraged by the willingness of top officials to reach out personally. A phone call from Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie helped influence his decision to return to Vermont , Harrison said. "The lieutenant governor gave me a phone call when we were trying to decide where to expand," Harrison said. "I doubt there's another state in the union where that happens." It may not happen in other states, but Douglas said he and Dubie are more than willing to reach out to businesses personally." Thanks to Governor Douglas and Lieutenant Governor Dubie for focusing on the right priorities for Vermont, and for their positive action.


Douglas helps welcome company back
NEAL GOSWAMI, Bennington Banner
Tuesday, December 18

BENNINGTON — Vermont's business climate is on the mend and manufacturing is expanding in Bennington County, according to state and local officials who gathered Monday to welcome a business back to the state.

The state has made significant progress in attracting companies here over the past few years, according to Thomas Harrison, owner of Vermont Timber Frames, which celebrated its relocation from Cambridge, N.Y., back to Bennington Monday with Gov. James Douglas and other state and local officials.

"Attractive offer"

"(The state) made a very attractive offer and package for us to move our operation back," Harrison said Monday from the floor of his company's manufacturing plant.

Vermont Timber Frames was started in Bennington in 1993, but left town — and the state — in 1999 to find relief from the high taxes that Douglas has said chilled the state's business climate.

But all that is changing, according to Harrison. He said state and local officials throughout Vermont have worked hard and adopted programs to lure people such as himself back to the area.

"There's an attitude in Vermont now that we want to bring

manufacturing back to the state," he said.

Incentives are now being offered to companies, such as the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive (VEGI), which is administered through the Vermont Economic Progress Council. The council is an independent body of nine Vermont citizens appointed by the governor and regional representatives designated by the regional planning commissions and regional development corporations.

To qualify, as Vermont Timber Frames did, a company must pledge to create a certain amount of jobs at a certain wage. In 2007, the minimum wage was $12.05 per hour.

Rather than tax incentives, though, companies receive cash payments from the state if they meet certain payroll, employment or investment thresholds. The incentive is paid in five installments. "I think it's critical to our success in a number of areas," Douglas said. "The program has really proven its value."

Fred Kenney, director of VEPC, said the VEGI program is beginning to attract lots of attention companies interested in coming to the state. "I'm talking to five or six companies right now that ... are looking to come to Vermont," Kenney said.

Harrison said he was also encouraged by the willingness of top officials to reach out personally. A phone call from Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie helped influence his decision to return to Vermont, Harrison said.

"The lieutenant governor gave me a phone call when we were trying to decide where to expand," Harrison said. "I doubt there's another state in the union where that happens."

It may not happen in other states, but Douglas said he and Dubie are more than willing to reach out to businesses personally.

"That's a real advantage of a small state. We're accessible and here to help," Douglas said. "I make a number of calls myself and meet with people who come to Vermont. I take my cues from the Economic Development Department — I don't make cold calls."

Bennington Economic and Community Development Director Scott Murphy said the VEGI program, coupled with property tax incentive programs have helped the town and the county add manufacturing jobs in the past few years.

"We're well beyond starting. Bennington County is the only county in the state that has seen growth in manufacturing jobs," Murphy said.

People may not realize how many manufacturing jobs are in the area because the jobs opening today are different than they were decades ago.

"These are great jobs," Murphy said. "You don't have to get filthy dirty and ruin your lungs to work a manufacturing job."

Douglas said Vermont Timber Frames is an example of the strides the state has taken to make Vermont business friendly.

"We've got a lot going for us and we've seen a lot more jobs created for us over the last few years. We've got to celebrate those successes but keep our eye on the challenges that remain," he said. "Our unemployment is still below the national average and we're in the half of states that are not running deficits, so our economy is pretty strong."