New Year Brings New Legislative Session, Events and More
Welcome to 2022. For the VTTA, we’re looking forward to another year of advocating for Vermont’s tech sector and ecosystem; supporting recruitment by raising awareness of Vermont’s tech-focused businesses and careers; and creating opportunities for networking, education and collaboration for the tech community and friends.
With the Legislature back in session, we will monitor legislation and share information about and advocate for important issues such as preventing a sales tax on Internet services, and other areas ranging from attract workers, to workforce development, to broadband, to incentives and regulation affecting Vermont’s tech sector.
Governor’s Budget Address
Gov. Phil Scott outlined his $7.7 billion budget proposal, which seeks to take advantage of the influx of “unprecedented” federal funds to Vermont, which includes more than $500 million in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds, and another $2.2 billion from the recently passed infrastructure bill.
The Governor said much of his spending is motivated by addressing the loss of 24,000 people from the Vermont workforce since February 2020. Many of his proposals are in areas of importance to the VTTA, particularly in workforce development and recruiting, broadband and other infrastructure, and housing.
They include:
- $195 million for broadband expansion from ARPA and infrastructure funding.
- $51 million to install 100 cell towers throughout Vermont.
- $15 million to encourage the construction of homes for middle income Vermonters.
- $25 million for the Vermont Housing Improvement Program.
- $6 million for the worker relocation and remote worker grant programs, with expansion of who can participate.
- $8 million for a marketing effort to help recruit and relocate workers and families to Vermont.
- Education and training funding that includes $10 million in additional funding for UVM and $5 million for the state colleges and funding for internships, adult training programs and to help connect Career and Technical Education students and employers.
You can read the full address here.
Data Privacy Recommendations
The Vermont Attorney General’s Office submitted its recommendations to the legislature on data privacy provisions, which includes biometric privacy protection, an expansion of the data broker law, and a private right of legal action. See the the recommendations here, which includes information submitted by other organizations.
Artificial Intelligence Bill
The Commission is charged with studying and monitoring the growth of artificial intelligence systems in Vermont, adopting a State Code of Ethics for AI systems and making recommendations on policies, laws, and regulations for artificial intelligence systems.
The commission is charged with preparing a report that examines economic opportunities for AI in Vermont, the use of AI in state government and how to optimize its usage; The impact of AI on privacy, employment and jobs; and AI education in primary through higher ed.
Moving Reports
Efforts to attract people to relocate to Vermont appeared to be reinforced in reports from two major moving companies that showed Vermont was a top move-to destination for their customers. United Van Lines Annual Movers Study ranked Vermont as the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration (74%) for its customers last year. Meanwhile, In the survey by U-Haul, Vermont ranked number 12 of all 50 states as a destination.
This follows a report on the Vermont relocation incentives that estimates that every tax dollar spent on 2018 program resulted in $93.88 in economic activity, and every tax dollar spent on the 2019 program resulted in $66.26 in economic activity.
Branding with Purpose
The VTTA is partnering with Scout Digital for an upcoming webinar on Branding with Purpose. Scout’s creative director and brand strategist Travis Bragg will walk attendees through four easy steps to distill your brand value into a short statement that you can display across every touchpoint of your business. This webinar is part of VTTA’s “Let’s Tech Together” series and will be informative for all businesses, tech and non-tech alike.
Jeff Couture
Executive Director
Vermont Technology Alliance
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Featured Member – SymQuest |
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SymQuest believes in creating mutually profitable long-term relationships that provide an environment for continued growth and development. SymQuest designs, install, and supports business technologies that handle the flow of information between electronic and physical communications.
SymQuest is a regionally based company with a national reputation for service excellence and innovation. They are the trusted provider of managed IT and industry-leading office equipment services for businesses in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont.
Their services include:
Managed Services
● Managed IT - From on-premise to cloud services, SymQuest can provide your team support in administering and maintaining your IT infrastructure so you can have peace of mind knowing it is safe, reliable, and accessible at all times.
● Managed Print - Bring visibility to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs with SymQuest’s print environment assessments, workflow assessments, and print monitoring.
● Document Management Services - Take control of your complex document environment by implementing document workflows, assessing document costs with cost accounting assessments, make printing accessible for all employees with print mobility while managing all content with an Enterprise Content Management solution.
Business IT Services
● Cybersecurity - Secure your business data and protect your customer’s information with SymQuest’s security assessments, vulnerability scanning, cybersecurity training, and testing and managed firewall service.
● Data Protection & Recovery - With SymQuest’s network monitoring and backup and disaster recovery, prepare your business for the worst-case scenario.
● Network Infrastructure - Optimize and secure your network environment with advanced networking, virtual server technology, firewall and threat management, and wireless technologies.
● Unified Communications - Bring together your workforce from anywhere on any device with trusted hosted PBX AND SIP Trunking.
Security - Managing the new requirements of work and public environments is no easy feat. SymQuest's intelligent video surveillance systems powered by MOBOTIXcan help your organization with thermal imaging, crowd and mask detection, and more.
Printers, Copiers & MFPs - From production printers to MFPs, discover how to improve productivity, streamline operations, and produce high-quality Konica Minolta products.
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Vermont Economic Conference
(January 25 and 26, 2022)
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce is hosting a two-day, virtual 2022 Economic Conference on January 25 and 26. The sessions are an opportunity to learn about the national and state economic trends facing Vermont businesses for 2022, while also hearing how Vermont can become an economic leader by welcoming all, supporting and growing our diverse communities, and leaning into our state’s strengths.
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Branding with Purpose
(January 27, 2022)
Join Scout Digital and the Vermont Technology Alliance for an insightful webinar focused on defining and clearly communicating your brand. Creative director and brand strategist Travis Bragg of Scout Digital will walk you through four easy steps to distill your brand value into a short statement that you can display across every touchpoint of your business.
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Vermont a Top Destination for United Van Lines and U-Haul Customers
(January 4, 2022 – VTTA)
Vermont again ranked number one for in-bound moves for United Van Lines in its 45th Annual National Migration Study, and moved up in rankings in a similar report by U-Haul of its customers.
The annual United Van Lines Movers Study tracks the company’s exclusive data of state-to-state migration patterns for its customers, which trends toward wealthier movers. According to the company, its customers were on the move to lower-density areas and to be closer to their families throughout last year.
Vermont ranked as the state with the highest percentage of inbound migration (74%) with United Van Lines. In addition, Burlington ranked 17 in the top 25 metropolitan statistical areas. The other top in-bound states were South Dakota (69%), South Carolina (63%), West Virginia (63%), and Florida (62%).
In the survey by U-Haul, southern states, led by Texas, were the top locations for its do-it-yourself movers. However, Vermont moved up to number 12 from 26 in the previous year’s survey, while Maine made the top ten list, jumping from 29 in 2020. After Texas, the other states in the top 5 were Florida, South Carolina and Arizona.
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Changes Are Coming to Vermont’s Program to Pay People to Move to the State
(January 10, 2022 – VTDigger)
The Scott administration and state senators are considering overhauling Vermont’s programs that pay people to move to the state.
“(M)y budget will support the Senate’s worker relocation incentive program — with some changes — to bring in more families who contribute to our communities, schools and economy,” Gov. Phil Scott said in his State of the State address.
Instead of paying people once they move to Vermont, the administration is considering either paying them before they move or awarding grants before they move and sending the money once they have resettled in Vermont, Vermont Commissioner of Economic Development Joan Goldstein told the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs.
Senators appeared to agree with the proposal.
A person relocating to Vermont this year has received an average of $4,700, Kristen Ziter, financial analyst for the Department of Economic Development, told senators.
Ziter proposed removing the list of occupations that restricts who can be reimbursed for moving to Vermont.
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Norwich EV Installing EV chargers in Six Vermont Towns Through a $750k State Grant
(January 10, 2021 – Norwich EV)
Norwich EV of White River Junction, Vermont is partnering with Vermont state agencies to add electric vehicle (EV) charging capacity to downtown areas in Vermont as part of the state’s commitment to build out a highway corridor fast charging network. Norwich EV will install and operate both fast and medium speed chargers in six Vermont towns: Alburgh, Brighton, Bradford, Hardwick, Waterbury and Vergennes. Each town will have two fast charging Level 3 stations and one medium speed charging Level 2 station installed. The total project cost is approximately $1M with the State of Vermont providing $750,000 in qualified cost reimbursement.
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ReArch to Build OnLogic’s New Headquarters in South Burlington, VT
(January 3, 2021 – ReArch)
ReArch Company announced its upcoming development and construction project for global industrial computer hardware manufacturer, and VTTA member, OnLogic. The $50 Million, 125,000 SF global headquarters will be prominently located along I-89, beside the whales’ tails at Technology Park in South Burlington, VT.
OnLogic’s new expansion is necessary to accommodate its continued growth and will house its manufacturing, warehousing, testing facilities, and all other business operations to support the production of their small form factor, industrial computers. Roland Groeneveld, OnLogic Co-Founder and Executive Chair, comments, “After an extensive search, Technology Park was the clear choice for OnLogic’s expansion because it provides the prominent exposure we were looking for, along with ample space for future growth.
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Report Finds Worker Relocation Incentive Programs Provide Positive Economic Benefits to Vermont
(December 20, 2021 – Vermont Department of Financial Regulation)
The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) submitted a report examining Vermont’s various worker relocation incentive programs to the Legislature. DFR hired Philadelphia-based consulting firm, PFM Group Consulting LLC, to conduct an economic analysis of the programs.
In 2018, Vermont established a first-in-the-nation Remote Worker Relocation Program that reimbursed certain moving expenses up to $10,000 for individuals who moved and worked remotely in Vermont. That program was followed by a 2019 program focusing on attracting new workers for existing job openings in Vermont and a 2021 program combining elements of both programs.
Among the conclusions and recommendations, the consultant estimates that every tax dollar spent on 2018 program resulted in $93.88 in economic activity and every tax dollar spent on the 2019 program resulted in $66.26 in economic activity. The 2021 program was not included in the analysis due to its recent implementation.
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Local App Helps Connect Community and Local Restaurants
(January 7, 2022 – MyChamplainValley)
A local business has been on the front lines of hunger relief and connecting local restaurants to people experiencing food insecurities. Originally founded as a small Daily Deal website in 2012 by Dan White and Michael Nedell, Localvore is now the technology partner for Vermont Everyone Eats and manages their digital voucher program through an app.
Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, VEE provides meals to Vermonters in need of food assistance who can use the Localvore app to request meals from local restaurants across the state. Individuals have to fill out a form to confirm eligibility for the Everyone Eats Voucher program.
Once confirmed, the form will let them create an account to use on the Localvore Passport App, which allows individuals to get takeout meals directly from participating restaurants at no cost.
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iSun Inc. Awarded $29.3 Million Contract for Solar Canopies
(January 7, 2022 – iSun)
iSun Inc., a leading solar energy and clean mobility infrastructure company based in Williston, VT, announced that it has been selected to design and deliver an expected total of 1,780 off-grid solar canopies to be located at EV charging stations. iSun has 50-years of construction experience in solar, electrical and data services and a provider of proprietary electric vehicle charging platforms The contract is iSun’s largest EV Infrastructure contract to date.
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Vermont Technology Alliance Membership Update
The Vermont Technology Alliance works on behalf of its members and is able to carry out its mission through the support of its membership.
New and Renewing members:
Not a vtTA member yet? Then why not join now? Find more information and register here. You can also contact us at admin@vtta.org.
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Useful Information & Links |
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EMBRACE Grant for Vermont Microbusiness
In response to COVID-19, the Vermont Community Action Partnership and the Microbusiness Development Program established the Economic Microbusiness Recovery Assistance for the COVID-19 Epidemic direct grant program.
EMBRACE issues $5,000 grants to businesses with five or fewer employees. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Energy Accelerator DeltaClimeVT Seeks Entrepreneurs
The DeltaClimeVT climate economy business accelerator is seeking innovative, early-stage, energy companies focused on increasing adoption of clean energy, smart building and electric vehicle technologies that enable accelerated integration of distributed energy resources without the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
This will be the sixth cohort for the accelerator program, managed by the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, that will bring together 7-10 early-stage energy companies from across the U.S. and Canada to work together over three months while competing for a $25,000 non-equity prize for the top venture.
The application period ends January 31, 2022. To learn more visit deltaclimevt.com.
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Champlain College Spring Career Fair
Champlain College is hosting its Spring 2022 Career Fair in person on Wednesday, March 9, 2022
For this Fair, they are targeting employers who are actively recruiting positions (full- and part-time, internship, and summer/seasonal) of direct relevance to Champlain’s academic programs. Click here for a list of our majors and specializations to determine which ones best align with your talent needs.
Find more information and register here.
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VTTA Career Center
Vermont Technology Alliance member companies are hiring, and when you visit the Career Center on the Vermont Technology Alliance website you can browse and search for these job openings and subscribe to updates. The Career Center on average features 150+ tech and non-tech jobs with Vermont Technology Alliance member businesses. Jobs available from VTTA members are listed at no charge in the Career Center as a member benefit.
Find the Career Center here.
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The VTTA Thanks Its Member/Sponsors
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