The Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is in full support of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants’/Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program and its role in establishing a Reception and Placement program site in Rutland, Vermont.
The Board of Directors and staff at CEDRR actively support local businesses in a partnership that is intended to strengthen our economy. A consistent message from all businesses is one relating to attracting and retaining employees. Doing so has become a significant challenge and one that threatens the livelihood of our region. This issue is compounded by an aging and retiring workforce. We have a talented, hardworking labor force in our County, but it is one that is weighted at the twilight of their careers.
To keep our economy strong and growing, we need to grow the available pool of employees. Therefore, CEDRR is engaged in a multifaceted approach.
- We actively recruit from our college and university student population, encouraging internships and relationship building.
- We urge our high school graduates to seek further training and/or education.
- We are engaged in a 10-year Regional Marketing Initiative, which is aggressively recruiting those who wish to become Vermonters by joining our local labor force and helping build our economy.
We need to add to this list of actions by reaching out and welcoming the refugee populations of our world to Rutland County.
Many of our family histories are a testament to the fact that new arrivals can succeed in the face of obstacles. Provided with opportunity, refugees and immigrants have helped us become the strong Nation and State that we are today. The upcoming planned growth of our community is merely the next logical step in our history of creating opportunity and prosperity for everyone.
What will CEDRR do to help with this effort? We welcome the opportunity to include our newest Vermonters as our neighbors by;
- helping connect job seekers with those who have openings and with organizations that specialize in doing so,
- connecting people who need training with training providers and,
- working closely with local, state, and federal governmental and non-profit humanitarian organizations to support all new arrivals with self-reliance and in being connected to our community.
As was previously stated, the Board and staff of the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region support the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants’/Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program in the establishment of a Reception and Placement program site in Rutland, Vermont. We look forward to being part of this effort.
Contact:
Lyle Jepson, Executive Director
Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region
Lyle@rutlandeconomy.com
(802) 773-2748
