Sixty-five miles south of the UVM campus is Rutland, Vermont’s third largest city. Rutland’s economic prosperity was based on the marble mining industry and rail transport—Rutland became the busiest rail hub in the state, and developed a strong manufacturing base.  

But like many communities in Vermont which relied on rail and manufacturing, Rutland experienced a slow but steady economic decline after World War II. 

A need for workers in Rutland—and the related necessity of affordable housing—are parallel challenges for generating economic growth. US Census Bureau figures show a 5.6% drop in the population of Rutland County between 2010 and 2019. The bureau also reported a poverty rate of 10.8 percent.  

Longtime Rutland County resident Chrispin White, member services and events manager of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR), has seen uneven progress in Rutland’s comeback over the past several decades. He is one of several local leaders in Rutland City and Rutland County engaged in efforts to diversify the region’s economic base. 

“COVID-19 was a setback for us,“ White said. “We’re facing many of the same problems other communities are facing. Businesses across the board—including in the recreation and service industries—have had to cut back on hours because they lack available workers.” 

White was one of the officials who met last month with Chris Koliba and Wayne Maceyka of the University of Vermont’s Office of Engagement, which connects UVM’s resources and expertise to economic development needs in communities across the state. 

“We’ve been making our way around the state, meeting local leaders who are working on economic and workforce development challenges,” said executive director Chris Koliba, “We’re finding these face-to-face meetings very productive and look forward to meeting with partners in other parts of the state this spring.” 

Jet engines and cookie cutters 

White is an optimist—he sees the ingredients for a strong comeback in the years ahead. Despite the loss of manufacturing jobs, Rutland has become a regional hub for the burgeoning farm to food market. The city is also a leader in the solar industry. Several successful firms including Suncommon, Same Sun of Vermont and Building Energy all have presences there. Green Mountain Power, Vermont’s largest electric utility and part of UVM’s recently launched Vermont Clean and Resilient Energy Consortium (VCREC), selected Rutland to locate its Energy Innovation Center in 2016.  

White previously served as the regional director of Vermont Adult Learning, and created a workforce training program that certifies students as solar, heat pump and weatherization professionals.  

“If people are willing to be trained there are opportunities available to them in industries that are growing rapidly and pay good salaries,” White says.  

Koliba and Maceyka made an early stop at GE Aviation, an international leader in manufacturing jet engines for commercial and military aircraft. Plant manager Cameron Schaeffer conducted a tour of the facility, one of GE’s largest in North America. They also met with Sarah Robbins, human resources manager for the plant, who already works with UVM’s College of Engineering and Mathematical Science’s Career Readiness Program. 

“She told us talent acquisition was a primary concern,” Maceyka said. “Strengthening UVM’s connection with GE can only help the company recruit top talent and provide more opportunities for UVM students.” 

Koliba and Maceyka also got a close look at a smaller but no less successful manufacturing operation: Ann Clark Cookie Cutters. The business bills itself as America's largest cookie cutter manufacturer, employing about 50 people and offering over 2,400 designs made with US steel.   

The business started when Ann Clark made her first design, “a cute pig,” that she brought to a local craft show. Her son Ben ’86 is now CEO of the business. 

Like many young Vermonters, Ben Clark eventually left the state to pursue career opportunities— first in North Carolina, where he earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina, then in Maryland where he worked for new product development and purchasing at Black and Decker. But when he and his wife started a family, Vermont seemed like an attractive place to raise children. An avid skier, the proximity of Pico and Killington was also a factor. 

“For our business, the whole game is marketing,” said Clark. “The number of customers in Vermont is very small. We’ve used online sales to grow the operation.”  To keep up with growing orders, he expanded Ann Clark’s manufacturing facilities. 

Like other businesspeople in the region, recruiting new workers is a big challenge. Working with the UVM Career Center, Clark is exploring ways to attract UVM graduates—particularly those who have an affinity for the Vermont lifestyle. 

“We’re planning some events with the UVM Women in Business Club. Most of our customers and employees are women. An ideal recruiting profile would be women who want to contribute to a growing business and who are interested in the recreational amenities Vermont offers.” 

Second life for older infrastructure 

The team also met with developers and visionary Mark Foley, who owns the Rutland Opera house building. CEDRR is working with Foley and the Center on Rural Innovation to revitalize unoccupied downtown buildings with co-working space and a business incubator in the building. According to Lyle Jepson, CEDRR executive director, the facility will be aimed at entrepreneurs who might want to start a small software company, as well as established businesses moving into e-commerce. CEDRR is applying for a $750,000 federal grant for the project. 

“It was inspiring to see a local developer thinking creatively about repurposing existing spaces to serve the complimentary needs of the community and the businesses of the future,” said Maceyka.  

Further south, just off route 7, another space for entrepreneurs is already busting with activity. The MINT, which recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, is a makerspace occupying 14,300 square-feet. 

Koliba and Maceyka toured The MINT with Executive Director Karen McCalla. The makerspace is a communal workshop for people who have creative instincts but  may lack tools or a personal work space. In return for an affordable membership, clients can access MINT’s library of tools, engage in training sessions and share ideas with fellow tinkerers and entrepreneurs. MINT houses several small businesses like Insane Firepits which offers artful ways to light up back yards.

Chrispen White says despite the numbers and the additional challenges imposed by the pandemic, a combination of federal relief dollars and strong community spirit have kept most businesses open. Now the region needs to harness its strengths and build on its successes.  

“We all have ideas how to grow and expand commerce, but don’t always have the knowledge of where to look for funding or recruit qualified workers. A second piece is we many organizations don’t know how to write effective proposals. UVM could help us with all those things.”