Around the Chamber March 2022

Around the Chamber Addison County Chamber of Commerce E-Magazine

MARCH, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE 4 - Director's Cut - Leadership Tips 7 - Member Buzz - Amey Ryan, Housing Crisis 11 - Behind the Scenes - With Lindsay Varner 15 - Support our Members 18 - Member Updates - Swift House Inn 21 - Updates from Montpelier 23 - Member Spotlights

Connect With Us!!

Table of Contents

4

7

11

Director's Cut

Member Buzz

Behind the Scenes

15 18

21 22

Support Community Legislative Member Chamber Member Updates Spotlights Members Update

Have something to say or an idea for this publication? Contact us!

Info@addisoncounty.com

ACCOC publishes our e-magazine monthly and reaches thousands of business, non profit leaders and other decision makers in Addison County and beyond.

Members are encouraged to supply their announcements and events by e-mailing phil@addisioncounty.com. For ad availability and rate card email phil@addisoncounty.com.

Addison County Chamber of Commerce. 2022, All Rights Reserved

Director's Cut Phil Summers - ACCOC Executive Director

Clues to Strong Leadership Practices Addison County business and non-profit organizations are beginning to position themselves for growth and opportunity as the pandemic finally begins to wane.

Developing bold, confident leadership can help drive success within your organization, Whether you are working to develop your own leadership skills or those of staff, here are some components of strong leadership: Seeks and accepts feedback Effective leadership means listening to unfiltered feedback and a willingness to make changes based on it.

Ability to innovate Strong leaders are not reluctant to do things differently.

Admits mistakes Effective leadership means being able to admit mistakes. By acknowledging errors, you create a culture of trust within your staff/employees.

Does not shy away from difficult conversations Effective leaders should not walk away from having potentially difficult or uncomfortable conversations. Instead, they must be strong enough to initiate difficult conversations and work through them in order to move forward. This means having real, honest conversations, even when there is the potential for conflict.

Can move away from unproductive situations Strong leadership means having the ability to recognize and move away from unproductive situations.

Phil Summers is the Executive Director of the Addison County Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to ACCOC, Phil was the Executive Director of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and earlier held senior marketing positions at the National Football League, Sirius Satellite Radio and MSG Varsity where he was a two time Emmy Award winner (2011 & 2012) and two time Silver Addy Award winner (2013). Phil has also taught undergraduate courses in advertising and marketing at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.

Friday, April 1 David Finckel, Cello Wu Han, Piano "Chamber music's busy power couple" -NY Times

Free!

Friday, April 22 Takács Quartet Julien Labro, Bandoneón One of the world’s top string quartets meets concertina

Open to campus and community audiences. Vaccinations (or valid medical or religious exemptions) and masks required.

Tickets are on sale now.

For tickets, go HERE

Join us for a Financial Reality Fair!

The Addison County Workforce Alliance is hosting a Financial Reality Fair on Tuesday, March 22nd, 4:00 – 6:30 p.m., at the Hannaford Career Center - all are welcome to attend!

Gain the skills to make solid financial decisions, connect with potential employers, and get support with career, education, training, money and lifestyle choices. Local experts and resources are available to answer your questions! Sponsored, in part, by VSAC and Advance Vermont.

Visit https://bit.ly/FinancialRealityFair to register

MEMBER buzz "Member Buzz" features special topics of interest each month that can benefit individual members and our Chamber as a whole. If you have something you would like featured in a future edition, contact phil@addisoncounty.com

Housing Crisis a Concern for Business

By Amey Ryan As most of us are well aware, the housing options in Addison County are quite minimal right now. Prior to the onset of the global pandemic, the purchasing options in Addison County were limited, but it felt sustainable and rentals were periodically available as renters moved in and out of the rental market or in/out of the area. Again, the availability of rental options was sparse but did not feel like a crisis.

Amey Ryan, IPJ Real Estate Think of it this way...If you have a list of people Here we are, two years into Covid and we are most who want you to build them a custom house, why certainly at the crisis level when it comes to the would you (the builder) take time and resources availability of suitable housing for our population and to build a house for an unknown person to buy at workforce. We are hearing stories of would-be a later date?

Vermonters who have been offered employment but have been unable to find housing. These folks are turning down jobs. Even intrastate moving becomes difficult because you can't be a competitive buyer with a home sale contingency, yet if you list your house for sale and it sells quickly you may find yourself homeless. It's a classic catch-22.

What can we do about this? How can we improve the housing inventory? There are a number of bills being presented in the Legislature attempting to alleviate some of the housing issues but it's likely not enough. There is a small supply of money available for housing subsidies, renovations, etc. Builders are booked out 1-1.5 years (or more!) so there's little incentive to build on speculation.

This housing problem is not new to Addison County. It's exacerbated by the current conditions, but we've been dealing with old housing stock and lack of new housing since I started in real estate in 1999!

MEMBER buzz Housing Crisis a Concern for Business continued We need reform. We need to have conversations with our elected officials, representing us in Montpelier, about the struggles we face as business owners trying to fill vacant, well-paying jobs. We need to have a voice in our municipal government and help them solve zoning and planning issues that are preventing housing development from moving forward. We need the State to look very closely at existing regulations and eliminate inefficiencies and duplicity in the permitting process.

This is a solvable problem. We have pockets of land around our county that are suitable for development.

Some are privately owned, some may be owned by the Town or the State. Access to municipal services (water, sewer) is a bonus when planning for development but it's not essential. Cooperation between State, Local and Private owners is imperative.

I would love to see the day when I can guide anyone, regardless of income, employment status, or existing housing status into a home to call their own whether that is a rental or a purchased home. For our society to balance we need it all to happen.

About Amey Ryan Amey Ryan is a full-time, real estate Broker living on Lake Dunmore in the town of Salisbury, Vermont.

She lives with her husband Tim, owner of Ryan’s Quality Paint Finishes, Inc. Amey grew up in N. Quincy, Massachusetts and after graduating from Castleton State College in Castleton, VT she decided to make Vermont home for good.

Since her graduation in 1999 from Castleton, Amey has been immersed in the community and has built a strong career in real estate. She started at a small firm in Middlebury where she worked as an office manager and a licensed assistant for the managing broker. This was an invaluable experience that allowed her to move on after 14 months of training to a larger office. From 2000 until early 2008 Amey worked out of the Coldwell Banker Bill Beck office in Middlebury. There she was offered a unique opportunity to train and work with some of the top agents in Addison County. Working in a large office provided many opportunities to grow and prosper, however, after almost eight years an even better opportunity presented itself.

In early 2008, Amey and Ingrid began working together at IPJ Real Estate. Over the course of the next six years, the duo built a well-respected and recognizable brand with their dedication to their clients, commitment to quality service and immersion in the community.

In the latest phase of her career, Amey purchased IPJ Real Estate from Ingrid in April 2014. With a strong team of top producing agents and full-time support staff, IPJ Real Estate has continued to grow and prosper in the Addison County real estate world. We continue to provide each of our clients and customers with top-notch service in a friendly and professional environment.

S O A R I N G

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s e n e c S e h t Behind with rner Lindsay Va

Each month, "Behind the Scenes" features an interview with a leader in our community designed to provide readers a glimpse into his/her interests and passions inside and outside of the workplace

This month, "Behind the Scenes" sat down with Lindsay Varner, Executive Director at the Rokeby Museum Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Pennsylvania. I am from the south central Pennsylvania region and lived just outside the town of Carlisle.

Where did you go to college?

Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for my bachelor’s degrees in government and history and Durham University in the United Kingdom for my Masters and PhD in Early Modern History.

First ever job?

My first job was at TJ Maxx in high school.

I was a cashier and helped with the store displays.

Greatest inspiration growing up?

Growing up my dad was my greatest inspiration. He was supportive of my career aspirations, and even when working long hours he found time to cheer me on at sporting events.

Lindsay Varner Who do you most admire?

I admire individuals who view the world with compassion and empathy.

Favorite vacation spot??

I love going to the beach. As a child we spent most summers in Maryland.

My husband and I also try to return to the UK every couple of years.

s e n e c S e h t Behind with rner Lindsay Va

Greatest risk you have taken in your career?

I don’t know if I’d call it a risk but moving to Vermont to take the helm at Rokeby Museum was certainly a leap. Due to pandemic travel restrictions I applied, interviewed, and accepted the position without visiting the site. It was a leap but one I am so happy I took!

Favorite type of music?

I listen to anything and everything. My most listened to playlist is my running playlist which is filled with the 90s music I grew up listening to.

Typical work week?

One of the best parts of my job is that no day is the same. I spend a lot of time at the computer doing administrative duties, but depending on the time of year I could be working in the museum’s collections, researching an upcoming exhibit, or planning programming. As the pandemic eases, I look forward to meeting more people in the community and visiting other historic and cultural sites in the region.

Biggest career challenge?

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my career was my decision to take the public history career path rather than an academic path. During graduate school, I had a colleague tell me that public history was a waste of my time and skills, and this comment encouraged me to think deeply about the importance and relevance of public history. I do not believe historians have to choose academia or public history, but rather, both disciplines work together to ensure our understanding of the past is continuously changing to reflect new research.

What's the one thing you would change about your industry/mission?

I would change funding and access. Cultural institutions play an important role in framing and understanding what is happening in the world today, but so many places are struggling to keep their doors open and provide access to their resources for education and research.

Favorite TV Show/Movie?

I have been a West Wing fan for many years. Recently, I started watching Schitt’s Creek, and so far love every episode.

Thank you!

Thank you!

ACCOC would like to thank the following organizations who joined or renewed their 2022 memberships this month.

Welcome!

NEW MEMBERS S O A R I N G

T H R O U G H

Light

Allstate Insurance Agent Shannon Sunderland, SHOREHAM, VT

Thank You! RENEWING MEMBERS! Addison County Community Trust Addison County Farm Bureau Age Well Dream House Country Inn Fire & Ice Restaurant Interior Home Solutions International Paper Company John Graham Housing & Services Middlebury Frameshop & Gallery Otter Creek Brewing, Inc. Putnam & Menard, PLC Rokeby Museum Vergennes Opera House Vermont Brew Arena Football Vermont's Own Gifts & Goods

Each month in "Around the Chamber" we will recognize new and renewing members for their support in helping ACCOC enhance and improve the business and non-profit communities in Addison County.

Support Our Business Members!

Each month we select a new group of members for recognition and encourage our readers to support Chamber members

Martins Hardware & Building Supply Co.

Support Our Non-Profit Members!

Each month we select a new group of non profit members for recognition and encourage our readers to support them

Bixby Memorial Free Library A free library serving the Vermont communities of Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes and Waltham

enjoy a meal out!!

Community/Member Updates Why We Bought the Swift House Inn A pair of climate refugees from L.A. move to Vermont and reinvent themselves as innkeepers.

By Serena Kim My husband and I first bought Swift House Inn in September 2020. Right smack in the middle of the Covid pandemic and all its attendant stresses, we found ourselves—two hapless climate refugees from California— running around the inn during fall foliage season at top speed to serve our guests and learn the ins and outs of the inn business.

When we finally caught our breaths and socialized with guests, they usually asked us the same question: “Why did you choose Middlebury? And why Swift House Inn?” Well, we looked at a lot of inns all over New England and specifically Vermont. But we chose Middlebury for its abundant resources, from its glorious farm fresh produce and meats to the town’s rich and meaningful cultural offerings. This community has welcomed us with open arms, inviting us into their homes, including us in their events and organizations, and supporting our business.

New sign and branding

Matthew Robinson and Serena Kim As Matthew likes to say, Swift House Inn ticks a lot of boxes for us. Providing lodging and dining for the staff and families of Middlebury College means that we have a steady supply of fascinating and accomplished guests who continually stimulate our minds and our hearts.

Swift House at dusk

Community/Member Updates Why We Bought the Swift House Inn We also chose Swift House Inn for its unique beauty and history and for the pleasure of restoring it. After all, this is the house of Jessica Swift, one of the town’s most respected personages and philanthropists. I take the maintenance and design of her four-acre garden very seriously, while Matthew very carefully reimagines the common areas and guest rooms, making these spaces modern, inviting, and irresistible, while still keeping the flavor of historic New England intact.

His infallible eye for beauty is one of the reasons why I fell in love with him! We met back in 2018 at a bakery café in Hollywood. At that time, Matthew was a former executive at 20th Century Fox looking for his next gig. And I was a freelance writer and editor. Despite our different backgrounds (he’s the son of English immigrants; I’m the daughter of Korean immigrants), we realized that we are both passionate about food, wine, design, books, gardening, and entertaining.

Chamber Ribbon Cutting on 2/24/2022

As we try our hand at renovating and rebranding this inn, we realize the awesome responsibility that comes with caring for the former Vermont governor’s mansion. This is a building that has a significant place in the Middlebury community. Our business decisions also impact the 25 plus staff members on our team and their families.

So as we also like to tell our curious guests, we are here because we love this place with These are passions that we bring each day that our whole hearts. And even though we aren’t we work on Swift House Inn and Jessica’s at Stewarts, we’d like to be good stewards of Swift House Inn. It’s a vast canvas for us to Swift House Inn. experiment with our creative ideas. We have rebranded the inn with a fierce swift bird logo, which you can see on our new road sign on Route 7. We employ a tranquil and elegantly earthy color palette to give continuity and consistency to our stationery, our amenities, and anywhere our brand appears. I use my storytelling skills and copywriting experience for marketing this operation.

Updates from Montpelier These updates summarize current Statehouse activity with the potential to impact Vermont businesses and nonprofits. These updates are provided to us by the Addison County Economic Development Corporation and the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce and Downs, Rachlin, Martin.

Here are some overarching dynamics affecting how policy is moving: • Town Meeting week: this week was a mad dash to the town meeting week recess.

Legislators will now spend some time away from their committee work to return on March 8th.

• In-person legislating: When legislators return from recess, it will be to a more crowded building as the Senate will join the House which has already been operating with an incrementally increasing in-person presence.

• Crossover crunch: Crossover is the deadline by which a bill needs to pass out of the Committee of Jurisdiction. This year, that date is March 11th for most bills and March 18th for bills from money Committees. This means that Committees have four legislative days when they return after Town Meeting to move their priorities.

• Veto pen propensity: the Governor’s veto pen has already been used multiple times this year and the threat of a veto looms over many conversations, including but not limited to, the Budget Adjustment Act. • Everything must go: upping the stakes is the nearly unanimous consensus that the last of the State Fiscal Recovery Funds need to be spent this session. That’s a lot of money, many demands, and a great deal of pressure because…

Finally, it’s an election year: after town meeting and crossover, the incentive exists to get out of the legislature sooner rather than later to start campaigning. Legislators who plan to retire, are facing a tough race, or are running for different offices want to make their mark before they leave and possibly have something to talk about on the campaign trail.

Read the Full Report HERE

HERE

HERE

Member Spotlights

Member Since 2014 Member Since 2020

Brandon Motor Lodge Member Since 2012 Member Since 2019

Member Since 2018

Member Since 2011

Every month "Around the Chamber" features six ACCOC members for recognition.

Members who would like to be considered for future issues should contact Executive Director Phil Summers at phil@addisoncounty.com

COMMUNITY MARKET, VERGENNES

Coming Next Month

- Behind the Scenes - Focus on Non-Profits - New Member Closeup - Member Buzz - Community/Member Highlights - Updates from Montpelier - and more!!

Officers Robert Feuerstein, Kennedy Brothers (Chair) Bethany Dever, Dever Accounting Services (Treasurer) Meaghan McLaughlin, National Bank of Middlebury (Secretary) Adam Rainville, Maple Landmark (Past Chair) Phil Summers, ACCOC (Executive Director) Directors Dickie Austin, Black Sheep Bistro Amy Carlin: Middlebury College Gretchen Cotell, Hannaford Career Center Nancy Foster, Champlain Valley Properties Judson Hescock, Putnam & Menard, PLC Ned Horton, Otter Creek Bakery and Deli Marty Kulczyk, Robert Frost Mountain Cabins Megan Mandigo, Marble Trail Financial Article IV, Section D Designate Directors Karen Duguay, Better Middlebury Partnership Kate Bentley, Bristol Core Renny Perry, Addison County Economic Development Corp.

Renny Perry, Vergennes Partnership Bill Sayre, Addison County Regional Planning Commission