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VWMA E-Newsletter
October 2016

 


 

Working Lands Enterprise Initiative - Grant FUNDING AVAILABLE


Today, the Working Lands Enterprise Board (WLEB) is delighted to announce the opening of this year's grant cycle and the availability of approximately $650,000 in grants funds for the 2017 program year. Funds support projects across forestry and agriculture that enhance Vermont's communities, economy and culture. Links to the requests for proposals and applications can be found online at http://workinglands.vermont.gov/apply/rfp. Applicant Information Sessions are scheduled for October 6th and 11th at various locations across the state.

In addition to the grant program, the WLEB has created two innovative new loan pilots in partnership with the Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to support working lands entrepreneurs and dairy farms that are transitioning to organic production. Funding for these loan pilots was provided by Charles and Leigh Merinoff, Progressive Farm Alliance, and Long Trail Brewing Company. 

The partnership with VCLF has launched SPROUT Deferred Payment Loan Program (SPROUT), a low-interest revolving loan fund that will meet the capital needs of Vermont's working lands entrepreneurs. SPROUT offers deferred-payment, low-interest loans of up to $60,000 at 0% with no payments for the first two years, with a 2% fixed rate thereafter. VCLF will also coordinate comprehensive business development and financial planning/management technical assista nce for borrowers as needed.

"SPROUT financing will provide a powerful tool for emerging working lands businesses which are facing exciting growth opportunities," says VCLF Executive Director Will Belongia. "There isn't a loan product like SPROUT currently available to working lands entrepreneurs in Vermont. SPROUT's rates and terms will allow VCLF to extend financing and free technical assistance to businesses that otherwise wouldn't qualify for a VCLF loan. The Working Lands Enterprise Initiative has been an incredible partner in supporting working lands businesses in Vermont."

For more information about the program contact Dan Winslow, VCLF Business Programs Loan Coordinator, at dan@vclf.org, or visit http://www.investinvermont.org/borrowers/small-business/sprout


Business Investments: $5,000-$50,000
RFP AVAILABLE: 10/3/16
LETTER OF INTENT DUE: 11/9/16 at noon
APPLICANT NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE/DENIAL OF LETTER OF INTENT: Late December 2016
INVITED FULL APPLICATION DUE: 2/9/17 at noon
APPLICANT NOTIFICATION: March 2017
ESTIMATED PROJECT START DATE: Late April 2017
Projects may include, but are not limited to: Infrastructure (project-specific planning, permitting, and/or engineering/architectural plans; and/or building and equipment costs); Marketing (accessing new markets and securing new customers); Research and Development (testing new systems or technologies or developing innovative solutions).


Applicant Info Sessions:
Thursday, October 6th, 4:00-4:30 - Chapter 1 Webinar: Overview of the Working Lands Enterprise Program and Eligibility Requirements

Tuesday, October 11th, 3:30-4:30 - Chapters 2 & 3: Navigating the Grants Management System (GMS) and Creating Your Budget
Applicant Info Sessions will be hosted at the following locations:

* Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 116 State Street, Montpelier, VT, 05620, phone: 802.585.9072
o RSVP Required - Noelle.Sevoian@vermont.gov 

* Northern Vermont Development Association, 36 Eastern Avenue, Suite 1, St Johnsbury, VT, 05819, Second Floor Conference Room
o Contact David Snedeker - dsnedeker@nvda.net 

* Springfield Regional Development Corporation, 14 Clinton Street Suite 7, Springfield, VT, 05156
o Contact Bob Flint - bobf@springfielddevelopment.org 

* Rutland Economic Development Corporation, 67 Merchants Row, Suite 1, Rutland, VT 05701
o Contact Sarah Gilbert - sara@rutlandeconomy.com 

* Windham County Economic Development Program, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, 76 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, VT 05301
o Contact RT Brown - rbrown@brattleborodevelopment.com

For more information and to register for the webinar, visit http://workinglands.vermont.gov/webinar

VWMA Members Feedback Still Needed


Vermont Food, Beverage, Secondary Wood and Farm Producer Survey


Message from Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

As you may know the Agency of Ag is working on the development of a domestic export plan for Vermont's food, wood, beverage and farm products.  The program will also support producers whose current markets are in state.  YOUR FEEDBACK IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THIS PROGRAM TO WORK FOR VERMONT BUSINESSES, PLEASE HELP BY PROVIDING INFORMATION.

AG has commissioned Fifth Element Associates to perform this research and we have already conducted 20 in-depth interviews with regional buyers, distributors and influential producers.  This qualitative data will be complimented by the data we receive from this survey.    

We are asking only owners or principals respond to the survey.  No more than 2 responses from each company. 

TAKE SURVEY HERE

Participation in this survey is anonymous and their answers will be held in the strictest confidence. 



  REGISTRATION OPEN!
Join us for the the Maple Landmark Woodcraft
Tour & Meetup
October 28th, 2016
1:30-5:00pm
Middlebury, Vermont 
 

 No cost to attend but please REGISTER HERE: 

Member meet-up in Middlebury at Maple Landmark


 

It has been a very exciting year for Maple Landmark Woodcraft. Mike Rainville, his family members and dedicated staff have successfully added 11,500 square feet of manufacturing space to the Middlebury facility. Prior to this expansion, the Maple Landmark Woodcraft team worked under very cramped conditions in 1 6,000 square feet of space.

The new 11,500 square foot addition with 2 8 foot ceilings provides the needed capacity for Maple Landmark to continue to grow and provide a desirable environment for staff and improved productivity.

Mike was determined that with the move into the new space improvement in production processes, inventory management and efficiencies would be generated.

Mike engaged Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC), with financial support from Vermont Wood Manufacturing Association (VWMA), and the Northern Forest Center in a robust lean manufacturing process improvement program. Mike was looking to improve organization of workflow, reduce waste and improve overall efficiencies.

Maple Landmark Woodcraft completed the new addition earlier this year and successfully has moved the bulk of production into the new space thus freeing up the old space for an improved finishing area, better organized finished product and shipping area, and a larger, improved space for laser engraving and pad printing.
Don Paul, with Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center, and Dave Redmond, with Northern Forest Center, had the opportunity to visit the company several times before and after the expansion and move into the new space.

Don and Dave agree the dramatic improvements in work flow, systems to manage inventory and engagement of staff has been significant!

Mike is very modest and feels there are many more steps to meet the goal. This is the definition of lean process improvement.  Process improvement never stops, it is a continuous and never ending journey!

Join us in celebrating the accomplishments at Maple Landmark Woodcraft on October 28th at the VWMA tour. 




The 5th annual National Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY) is scheduled for Friday, October 7, 2016 and in Vermont the entire month of October has become part of a growing national Manufacturing Day initiative. Manufacturers, educational institutions and others are encouraged to host events that highlight the importance of manufacturing to the Vermont and U.S. economies and also draw attention to the many rewarding high-skill and higher paying jobs that modern manufacturing provides. Manufacturing companies and other supporters are being encouraged to sponsor and register their events or find an event to attend at MFGDAY.COM where ideas for events and many resources are available.

In early August of this year, Governor Peter Shumlin proclaimed October 2016 "Vermont Manufacturing Month"
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Upcoming VMEC Calendar

October 13, 2016
The 5S System: Workplace Organization and Standardization
8:30AM - 4:30PMVTC Williston Campus

November 10, 2016
Mistake-Proofing for Manufacturing and Administrative Processes
 8:00 am - 4:00 pm GlobalFoundries
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Hugging The Forest, Rather than the Trees - How Responsible Forestry Does More than Stop Deforestation

 by Kathy Abusow, President and CEO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Inc.

In her TEDx talk, Kathy challenges the idea that avoiding deforestation means avoiding forest products. The future of forests and the environment depends on understanding the important difference between deforestation and sustainable forest management. Kathy changes the conversation from feeling guilty about harvesting trees to taking pride in the social, economic and environmental benefits we all enjoy from well-managed forests. Her talk emphasizes how we need to hug the whole forest. 



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Wood Industry 40 Under 40: Dynamic leaders take charge


Woodworking Network, by  Bill Esler
Woodworking Network named winners of the 2016 Wood Industry 40 Under 40.

Jake of Jake Garner Caskets in Randolph, VT was recognized as one of the 40 under 40 Winners.

Congratulations to Jake!

Read more here.  
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