Economics

Burlington understands the sustainability depends on stimulating and maintaining economic growth and vitality.  To that end, realizing the Legacy vision depends on the hard work and excellence of many key stakeholders, including:

Community and Economic Development Office: CEDO  is a department of the City of Burlington charged with working with the community to foster economic vitality, as well as  preserving and enhancing neighborhoods, ensuring the quality of life and the environment; and promoting equity and opportunity for all residents of Burlington.  CEDO’s business development specialists support economic growth in practical and concrete ways: through targeted tax incentives; business loans; a business calling program; an award-winning business guide; a downtown program; hands-on help with business planning, licenses and permitting; help with lowering energy bills; help finding space; an online registry for Minority and Women Business Enterprises; and help accessing a high speed telecommunications network.

Burlington Business Association:  The BBA is the voice of business in Burlington, Vermont.  It advocates for business, offers networking opportunities for members, and promotes the economic vitality of Burlington.  The BBA, a non-profit business association founded in 1978, has 200 plus members including both businesses and non-profit organizations. The majority are located in Burlington, but it welcome members from outside the city who share the mission to promote the economic vitality of Burlington.

The Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce:  The CRCC promotes and supports a healthy environment that makes the Burlington region and Vermont the ideal place to live, work and do business.  To accomplish this goal, the Lake Champlain Chamber and its 34 staff members: provide socially responsible leadership to improve the region and state’s economic environment; serves as a coalition among business, education and government to address public policy issues and represents their interests in Montpelier via a Government Affairs team; promotes the region and its quality of life;  provides its nearly 2500 members with quality services that are responsive to their needs and that will enhance their ability to succeed.  More than 87% of its member businesses have 25 or fewer employees.

Legacy also celebrates the work of our stakeholders who’s various projects and activities have a profound economic impact on our community. For example:

Fletcher Allen Health Care, in partnership with Champlain Initiative, Sisters of Providence and Catholic Charities of Vermont, has co-sponsored a Bridges Out of Poverty training for 170 community members.   Working with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, Fletcher Allen and the Vermont Children’s Hospital established a refugee clinic. The refugee clinic is open two days a week and serves approximately 600 children every year.  Fletcher Allen and the Vermont Children’s Hospital continue to work with VRRP to ensure that new immigrants have access to high quality medical care, regardless of insurance.