[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6092891,"mediaKeyId","2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453","parentId",2850732,"title","Makerspaces, regional development and industry groups propose local solutions for prototyping, space and infrastructure","audioSeconds",3634,"startMs",328000,"endMs",3962000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453&start=328&end=3962","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453/thumbnail_328000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6092891/Vermont/Makerspaces-regional-development-and-industry-groups-propose-local-solutions-for-prototyping-space-and-infrastructure","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092891-9cec9075a620ba3f6d0304ebc760e2ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770906438&Signature=j9r00pbi6ZT7T8w3dDhjy1JyERgGhOQrSWLGer4eqOSHozPNMq36t0PK6lLBQsIOoORdtfXyxV5phWW4p3gbHjucRL5rEUowoQyz8sCGvLO5IDNShGREKlyk1-PazVXXLr0VM0T1feWKId-AWo4gg2UKtnHtBwBMnMgXck7iaWxlYO73IFdVjd6sfYrbmkLKDd2Zg7ZutdlHqlpNCxsq0CLRIynPnoPMzx3241ARSx6ls6wC8FqT38HKoWh3aWvcjUqkh7aF88QMsV98PvEOF6J1~CLNvLoorJJs6IcQh3VmIZOn~jrr1TXtSvNXy1y4j-w-9cqCE0QDipCo5-6wow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-02T13:05:16Z","article","Regional development leaders, trade associations and makerspace operators told the Commerce & Economic Development committee that while networks such as Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) and regional development corporations provide critical support, gaps in industrial space, broadband and permitting slow manufacturers’ ability to scale.

Andy Julo, representing regional development corporations, thanked legislators and emphasized the role local development corporations can play by connecting manufacturers to regional services and resources. Bill Driscoll of Associated Industries Vermont and Amy Spear of the Vermont Chamber opened the hearing and framed manufacturing as a sector that produces about $3 billion in economic impact and employs roughly 30,000 people.

Meg Hammond described Generator makerspace’s statewide programming—tool training, youth design labs, an industrial skills pilot and a planned accelerator—and said makerspaces can serve as low‑cost prototyping and workforce‑entry points that reinforce local supply chains. “We are innovation hubs,” Hammond said, and described a planned $50,000 upgrade to Generator’s electronics lab funded by a separate award to support a GaN‑tech accelerator.

Speakers said industrial vacancy in Chittenden County is extremely low, making site selection one of the single biggest barriers to growth. Diane Adrizzini of Rigorous Technology said her company initially found space inside another firm’s renovated barn but ultimately had to cold‑call property owners to find a long‑term site. Adrizzini and others urged investments in broadband, public transportation for workers and streamlined permitting to reduce expansion delays.

Several presenters praised state incentive programs but asked for clearer, more navigable application and compliance information. Kippen and others described Veggie and brownfields programs as helpful when companies understood reporting requirements, but warned that administrative burdens can deter small firms from applying.

Ending: Committee members asked industry to continue sharing case studies and to host site visits; presenters offered to follow up with staff on specific program navigation and local infrastructure needs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Commerce and Senate Economic Development - 2025-04-02 - 9:00AM","oneSentenceSummary","Makerspaces, regional development corporations and trade associations told lawmakers that makerspaces, VMEC and local redevelopment programs help manufacturers but that broadband, industrial space and permitting remain major bottlenecks.","taxTitle","Commerce & Economic Development, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",36720,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6092895,"Manufacturers and educators press Vermont lawmakers for modern CTE, training pipelines and employer partnerships",2247,1715000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453&start=1715&end=3962","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453/thumbnail_1715000.jpg","/articles/6092895/Vermont/Manufacturers-and-educators-press-Vermont-lawmakers-for-modern-CTE-training-pipelines-and-employer-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092895-3b9f8f2ad50ac5d95a9e628fbe85222c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770914218&Signature=RioxsaLFNge5SrqH-Lcg9wLXblRG6J21STXgzCHil-2enHhHUhuPiQcbMRBpPmKQytjZOLwMmcI7RZoO3Qzw4OySH2ZiNGYv8GZY5qJuCXbZgEuj4APc1vYY1YvMMUI8bUOjYX8aqeOSj1pfEWSccZZlrrCS0jGEz~wPzBbqNHnIcJVmnE5RjTRVCkRMyC9Z3FyF3FPgX5lek~6plwGMvpioK4mm4jcDrg5sCRr1YB4zTY0OmH06bcCTxKFuND7DXHmjvI2w6LiNBeFdf0oI2BwnVZS2ZOGQe8AG8Nd~z~oN88s5NIp1u6FqgoAJstk9e8dgXfoklkKHsqcHhFL-OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Manufacturers, technical‑career instructors and a makerspace director urged the Commerce & Economic Development committee to expand and modernize career and technical education (CTE) and workforce pipelines to address chronic labor shortages in Vermont manufacturing.

Brian Kippen, who owns two Vermont manufacturing companies and serves on advisory boards for vocational education, said his experience teaching advanced manufacturing exposed an outdated training environment. “You cannot attract a young person into a highly technical industry with antiquated technology,” Kippen said, and described buying modern CNC equipment for a local technical center to update curriculum and increase student interest.

Kippen said modern equipment increased enrollment and placement: his program went from eight to 12 students, and recent graduates found work in industry. He also highlighted cultural barriers, noting that some high school students and parents view technical programs as secondary and that funding formulas can disincentivize sending students to career centers.

Meg Hammond, executive director of Generator makerspace in Burlington, described free and cohort‑based programs that pair tool training with entrepreneurship and early workforce development. Generator runs youth design labs, an industrial skills pilot for 18–35 year olds and a makerspace accelerator concept. Hammond said makerspaces can be “innovation hubs” that provide prototyping, R&D, and hands‑on pathways into manufacturing careers.

Lawmakers and presenters discussed CTE funding hurdles and noted committee work to identify financial solutions. A student who attends a CTE program said simply, “I like manufacturing,” and committee members highlighted that more field trips and industry visits could increase student interest.

Ending: Speakers asked lawmakers to consider targeted capital for equipment upgrades, clearer program navigation for employers and additional outreach to change perceptions of technical careers among students and parents.","Owners and educators at a joint hearing said technical career education needs modernization, stronger industry partnerships and funding changes to produce the skilled workforce manufacturers need.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6092900,"Vermont manufacturers tell Commerce & Economic Development committees workforce, housing and rising costs are pressing risks",911,417000,1328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453&start=417&end=1328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850732-9c1bf66b514fb7c95183e1b00d1c3453/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6092900/Vermont/Vermont-manufacturers-tell-Commerce-Economic-Development-committees-workforce-housing-and-rising-costs-are-pressing-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6092900-70eb1023c582a60ec6899d5c511f1d65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770906099&Signature=F8OSG3Q240hAcbQ8hm-F5QCwEP9VPqwtYHUhKvNxD1P6O6uKh3W~lJyDs4vLtSY7qjv9TdS-t3K-S2onlG5Oyygviab3oqUUwW8KyPV7yzOeJiSVj3j0Qk5KXmIfL~Eh0p5rS0lgv4TcCX7QJqRdzKGm7SC77a902WLTCVqXVe~rcuQFEoqiedAhCgKi3pcn6Db1fCf7~Y1L3L-eQQ3ovkk3bIZLNPku9KkSIFvou7MfWwl2toEQcZAYiDuZkqcAXOhh7EgjYQkGYEKl40PUEiDvEgK60rk1ng1Z74Q0XuT57AeKOnDxM-WoedxbUb86h2jmhhaIFmILRWZSSHvxow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Manufacturers from across Vermont urged members of Commerce & Economic Development at a joint Manufacturing Day hearing to prioritize policies addressing workforce shortages, housing scarcity and business costs that speakers said threaten operations and expansion.

Mark Rainville, owner of Maple Landmark Woodcraft in Middlebury, described manufacturing in Vermont as a “small-scale, high-technology” sector that produces goods for national and international markets but is fragile because businesses can move or close as conditions change. He said his company employs about 32–33 people and is “in the middle of hiring.”

The hearing featured companies of different sizes. Jim Tringe, director of plant services for AgriMark, the cooperative behind Cabot Creamery, told the committee the cooperative supports more than 400 farm families, employs more than 1,000 people overall and more than 600 in Vermont, and relies on H‑2B seasonal visas and other staffing strategies to meet labor needs. “Labor is the most pressing issue of the past few years,” Tringe said.

Diane Adrizzini, co‑founder and COO of Rigorous Technology, a robotics and automation firm, said Vermont’s advantages—community, values-driven businesses and skilled workers—are threatened by limited industrial space, high energy costs, spotty rural internet and weak public transportation. “To grow into other areas, you need connectivity, technical partnerships and strong public‑private collaboration,” she said.

Speakers repeatedly linked workforce problems to local housing shortages and to health‑care costs. Brian Kippen, a business owner and technical educator, and others said employees are often immobile because housing costs prevent relocation; Kippen warned that rising employer health‑insurance costs have surpassed other operating expenses. Rainville said his company now pays about 2.5 times more on health insurance than it spends on lumber compared with 2019.

Several presenters described state programs and nonprofit supports that help manufacturers adapt. Rainville and other speakers praised the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) and the state’s working‑lands programs as useful but not sufficient on their own. Rainville also described administrative friction around tax and benefits systems and said that modernizing employer interfaces for unemployment and other state systems remains unfinished.

Tariffs and global supply‑chain trends came up as mixed forces. Some contract manufacturers reported increased quoting and demand as buyers consider reshoring; others warned of cost increases and potential retaliatory tariff impacts for exports to Canada and Quebec.

The committee did not take formal votes. Legislators and committee chairs encouraged manufacturers to invite visits and follow up with committee staff on specific program details and needs.

Ending: The hearing showcased the diversity of Vermont manufacturing—from family‑owned woodcraft and regional dairy processing to robotics and precision components—and highlighted recurring, solvable challenges the sector says require coordinated legislative attention.","Manufacturers and industry groups told a joint Commerce & Economic Development hearing that workforce shortages, housing availability, health-care costs, and rising input prices are constraining operations and growth across Vermont.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Makerspaces, regional development and industry groups propose local solutions for prototyping, space and infrastructure

Manufacturers and educators press Vermont lawmakers for modern CTE, training pipelines and employer partnerships

Vermont manufacturers tell Commerce & Economic Development committees workforce, housing and rising costs are pressing risks