Governor Phil Scott and his Administration continued their “Capital for a Day” tour by visiting Caledonia County on Tuesday, August 27.
This summer’s first stop was Washington County in early August.
In Caledonia County, members of the Agency of Commerce and Community (ACCD) Team visited East Burke, Lyndon, St. Johnsbury, Hardwick and beyond to discuss flooding impacts and recovery, efforts to increase and improve Vermont’s housing stock, and the challenges facing the manufacturing sector.
East Burke: Cabinet Check-in
The “Capital for a Day” tour began at The Inn at Burklyn, a meticulously restored private home transformed into a luxurious inn and restaurant. The Governor, his extended cabinet (including ACCD Secretary Lindsay Kurrle, Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alex Farrell and Deputy Commissioner Nate Formalarie, and Tourism and Marketing Commissioner Heather Pelham), local lawmakers, and members of the public were in attendance. Governor Scott told the gathering that he meets with his entire cabinet weekly to tackle pressing issues, including the state response to flooding.
Lyndon: Manufacturing Roundtable
Manufacturing is Vermont’s largest economic sector, so Governor Scott headlined a roundtable with manufacturers alongside Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade at the Department of Economic Development (DED) Tim Tierney, Deputy Commissioner Dustin Degree and Director of Workforce Development Jay Ramsey from the Department of Labor, and others.
Governor Scott listens during a Manufacturing Roundtable at Lyndon Institute. Tim Tierney of DED is three seats to the Governor's left.
When Governor Scott asked manufacturers including Precision Composites of Vermont, Vermont Aerospace, Momentum Manufacturing Group, Lyndon Furniture, and Weidmann Electrical Technology, what is their top barrier to success, many said lack of workers and cost of living. Some businesses told the governor they are turning down orders because they don’t have enough help and current employees are having difficulty accessing housing and transportation.
Tim Tierney recommended businesses check out DED’s Vermont Training Program which offsets the cost of training and upskilling employees. The manufacturers also said CTE programs at Lyndon Institute and St. Johnsbury Academy are helping to get more workers in the pipeline.
The manufacturers also said CTE programs at Lyndon Institute and St. Johnsbury Academy are helping get more workers in the pipeline. Many also applauded DED’s Vermont Training Program which covers some of the costs of upskilling employees.
East Burke: Outdoor Recreation Needs in the Wake of Flooding
Commissioner Pelham visited with several outdoor recreation providers as well as innkeepers, store owners, transportation providers, and environmentalists at a meeting organized by Kingdom Trails.
Commissioner Pelham in blue top and black skirt speaks with area businesses in East Burke in a meeting arranged by Abby Long of Kingdom Trails standing to Pelham's left.
Many were worried about maintaining trail access and had several suggestions for Montpelier to help improve the health of the outdoor recreation sector: create a tax incentive for landowners who allow outdoor recreation on their property, build a framework that allows outdoor recreation businesses to obtain long-term permissions from landowners to access their land, and make more funding available to buyout properties that can be restored to flood plains.
St. Johnsbury: VHIP Tour
Commissioner Farrell and Deputy Commissioner Formalarie took a tour of rehabbed rental units with RuralEdge and the NEK Collaborative.
Commissioner Farrell is pictured third from right during housing tour in St. Johnsbury.
The apartments were restored using grants from the Vermont Housing Improvement Program (VHIP) which fixes up units that have fallen into disrepair at a fraction of the cost of building brand-new.
Lyndonville: Business Flood Recovery Meeting
Businesses from throughout the Northeast Kingdom came to the Lyndonville Fire Department to learn more about the Business Emergency Gap Assistance Program (BEGAP) from Economic Development Commissioner Joan Goldstein and Secretary Kurrle. As of August 29, businesses and nonprofits that suffered physical damage in 2023 and/or 2024 can apply for BEGAP funds.
Commissioner Goldstein, at right, explains BEGAP to are businesses. Secretary Kurrle is seated to her right.
A representative from the Labor Department spoke about Unemployment Insurance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The Vermont Small Business Development Center was also on hand to take questions and share copies of their Disaster Recovery Guide.
Hardwick: Flood-damaged Businesses
Secretary Kurrle made several stops in Hardwick to hear from businesses that suffered from recent flooding. Mike’s Gulf Service Center on South Main Street escaped damage in 2023, but in July 2024 the Lamoille River behind his shop washed away his chimney and ate away at the building’s foundation. The river has changed course and stream bank restoration will cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Secretary Kurrle is shown the damage behind Mike's Gulf Service Center.
Across the street at The Flower Basket, owner Nora Lakhani told Secretary Kurrle that she needs help. She owns the building and the store and says last summer and this summer flooding impacted the structure. Specialized volunteers are coming to help her clean up and dry out her basement. Secretary Kurrle is working on connecting Lakhani with business experts she can lean on.
Secretary Kurrle speaks with The Flower Basket owner Nora Lakhani.
Secretary Kurrle also stopped by Dave’s Sawmill which was hit hard in 2023 and 2024. Dave Stratton owns and runs the business, with occasional help from kids and grandkids. These days Dave’s Sawmill focuses mostly on post and beam work. His says his beams are featured on the backside of the Hardwick Yellow Barn and inside the taproom at Lawson’s Finest Liquids in Waitsfield.
Secretary Kurrle and others speak with Dave's Sawmill owner Dave Stratton (in red shirt).
Damage from both floods is overwhelming this small sawmill. Water damage has destroyed all but one piece of heavy equipment and flood debris is still in the mill yard. Secretary Kurrle and members of Vermont Forests, Parks, and Recreation gave Stratton some suggestions about how to move forward as he tries to decide whether to retire and sell or continue to stick it out.