COVID-19 Anxiety and Uncertainty Dominate Chamber’s 2020 State of The Commerce Survey

The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce distributed its annual State of the Commerce survey to many of its members recently. The purpose of the State of the Commerce Survey is to hear from regional businesses and nonprofits about how they are doing in the current economy, what their current attitudes are in relation to economic vitality, and what new small business trends they see emerging.

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SHIRENOMICS: The Healthcare of Tomorrow in Southwestern Vermont

In Southwestern Vermont, also known as The Shires of Vermont, residents are never too far without a health clinic of some sort, or knowing someone who is employed by the largest growing industry. Without a 24/7 rescue squad, full-service hospital, and numerous specialty clinics, residents of Bennington County wouldn’t have the quality of health that they do. It’s not just the rolling Green Mountains and maple syrup that keep everyone healthy, it’s on-the-ground and in the community prevention work.

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Creating an Instagram-Worthy Fall Trip to Southern Vermont This Year!

It’s that time of year again to fall in love with Vermont! We love fall and we love when other people can see our humble and majestic state in its best season! Book your trip, take out your new iPhone and capture the great shots around The Shires of Vermont in Southwestern Vermont. Not too far from New York, Massachusetts or New Hampshire, this is a great long weekend destination to make your friends and family drool over your Instagram feed!

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Downtown Bennington, Vermont Transforms This Memorial Day Weekend for the 34th Annual Mayfest!

Downtown Bennington, Vermont is transformed this weekend into a bustling street festival as it hosts the 34th annual Mayfest. The event, which takes place this Saturday (May 25th, 2019), is put on every year by the Better Bennington Corporation, in partnership with over 100 local artists and craftspeople, local nonprofits, downtown businesses, and street food vendors.

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A Day of Health and Healing at the Annual Bennington Wellness Fair

Imagine one place where you could learn about the newest holistic healing practices and places locally to receive them. Wouldn’t that be great? Well, the community of Bennington, Vermont does just that! One weekend focused on the newest and coolest practices and practitioners of holistic health in one location!

Bennington Holistic Healing Practitioners (BHHP) has announced that their 2nd Annual Wellness Fair will be taking place on Saturday, April 27th from 11am-4pm at the Mount Anthony Country Club at 180 Country Club Drive.

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Why Visit The Shires of Vermont During Mud Season?

Perhaps you’ve heard of it?  The “Fifth” season in Vermont?  This “informal” term describes the period in late winter/early spring when dirt paths such as roads and hiking trails become muddy from melting snow and rain. It’s usually between March and Memorial Day in May that we see mud season. It can be fun though!  It’s a time when Vermont starts to thaw out, the sap begins to run, and buds begin to spring.

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Foodies Paradise: Best Plates This Year In The Shires

This week is Taste of The Shires Spring Restaurant Week in Southwestern Vermont! As you enjoy the specialities that our chefs and culinary masters whip up, don’t forget that this food haven doesn’t only exist during Restaurant Week. 24/7, 365 if you want to discover the food mecca of the northeast, it's time to check out The Shires of Vermont.  Take in the scenery and stop every so often to sample craft brews, eclectic cafés, comfortable bistros, and upscale fine dining restaurants.  Here are the best plates this year in The Shires of Vermont:

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5 Brew Tasting Tips from Last Weekend's Winter Homebrew Festival

The Winter Homebrew Festival was always meant to be a sign of spring and shaking off the cabin fever.  Many hundreds did just that as they piled into 10,000 square feet of homebrewers and wing purveyors.  You could see friendships, that perhaps had been packed away in hibernation, again rekindled as they joined together to taste, sample and laugh their way through the festival.

Here are some tips to get your taste buds truly appreciating the eclectic brews that are emerging this spring!

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