Becca Balint spoke to the Wellspring Forum. Photo courtesy Vermont Chamber.
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce organized a new event, The Wellspring Forum, to take advantage of the historic election cycle and increase its commitment to growing the business community and Vermont’s economy.
U.S. House candidate Becca Balint and State Treasurer candidate Mike Piciak spoke directly to the Vermont Chamber Board of Directors and other Vermont business community leaders in a series of bilateral discussions moderated by Vermont Chamber President Betty Bishop.
“The Vermont Chamber is proud to facilitate a forum that gives Vermont’s business leaders the opportunity to hear directly from future decision makers on the issues that most impact them,” Bishop said. “While the economy is a top concern for Vermonters, we rarely see Vermont candidates speak directly on business and economic issues while on the campaign trail, and we appreciate Becca Balint and Mike Piciak taking the time to engage with the business community. This way.”
The title of the event was inspired by a quote from Governor James H. Douglas; “I often remember that Vermont’s fountain of liberty flows not from State Street, but from Main Street.”
As the largest statewide business advocacy organization, the Vermont Chamber represents all industries and sectors, from tourism and manufacturing to healthcare, retail and technology. 50 business leaders from these industries attended.
The candidates spoke about several economic issues of greatest concern to the business community, including employment, housing, immigration, inflation and diversity initiatives.
Betsy Bishop and Mike Pieciak
“When it comes to Vermont’s economy, it’s clear that the lack of housing and child care is holding back our state’s full fiscal capacity. Increasing access to housing in downtown and village centers goes hand in hand with measures to strengthen climate resilience and our physical infrastructure,” said Mike Piciak. “We also need to make sure that revenue is flowing into Vermont, and we need to acknowledge that other New England states are marketing their strategic advantages. Our strategic priority when it comes to hiring is quality of life. We need to encourage all people to feel welcome here and call Vermont home.”
I look forward to the opportunity to work with colleagues at the federal level to address many issues such as workforce development, housing, climate and more.
Becca Balint shared. “This is a time for people to reevaluate their jobs, and I believe we have an opportunity and an obligation to bring additive manufacturing back to its former glory.
In Vermont, having people building things in your neighborhood is an economic benefit as well as a sense of pride of place.
The event was hosted at the OnLogic office in South Burlington.
About the Vermont Chamber of Commerce
The largest statewide, private, not-for-profit business organization, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce represents every sector of the state’s business community. Its mission is to create an economic environment conducive to business growth.
MONTPELIER, VT (September 8, 2022) – Vermont Chamber of Commerce
