Charting a course for 2027: Southwestern Vermont Chamber holds annual meeting
Originally published in the Manchester Journal February 3, 2025
Promoted as the “Biggest Business Night of the Year,” the Southwestern Vermont Chamber's 2025 Annual Membership Meeting took place on Friday, Jan. 31 at the Kimpton Taconic in Manchester.
This year's event highlighted the Chamber’s Vision 2027, an initiative that aims to cultivate a vibrant regional economy driven by innovation and collaboration where commerce thrives in harmony with the stunning natural landscapes and welcoming, diverse communities.
The event, attended by over 115 Chamber members, commenced at 4 p.m. with a dedicated Business Hour which included a welcome from Presenting Sponsor of the meeting Heritage Family Credit Union, a thank you from Chamber Board President Shannon McLenithan, and the presentation of new board directors which included Ahmad Yassir of Vermont News and Media. Additionally, the business portion had a presentation and vote for the annual operational budget of the organization. The budget was approved for the 2025 year by the membership. The high point of the business hour focused on executive director Matt Harrington’s presentation of Vision 2027.
Since its founding in 1911 as the Bennington Board of Trade, the Chamber has evolved to meet the changing needs of the region. From becoming an official Chamber of Commerce in 1925 to its expansion into a regional organization representing the 17 communities of Bennington County in 2020, the Chamber has continuously worked to advance economic opportunities and support businesses of all sizes.
Vision 2027 builds on the Chamber’s 2020 Vision to become a regional chamber by embracing what Harrington calls, “Regionalism 2.0,” an approach that doubles down on collaboration across industries and communities to create a more prosperous future for the region.
At the core of Vision 2027 is a commitment to cultivating a vibrant regional economy driven by innovation and collaboration. The Chamber envisions a future where commerce thrives in harmony with the region’s stunning natural landscapes and welcoming, diverse communities, they said in a press release.
The plan is structured around three main strategic pillars, which guide the Chamber’s efforts to serve its members and achieve long-term goals:
Promoting – Attracting and retaining people to the region through marketing and relocation efforts.
Collaborating – Convening and cultivating connections within the region to strengthen economic and social networks.
Empowering – Informing, educating, and activating members and organizations to foster a thriving local ecosystem.
To bring Vision 2027 to life, the Chamber has identified three key areas of focus:
Workforce Development: Creating top-tier talent through relocation, retention, and professional development initiatives.
Business Development: Equipping businesses with best practices for long-term success and sustainability.
Community Development: Enhancing the region’s quality of life by fostering inclusive and welcoming communities.
