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Northeast Kingdom’s economic future discussed |
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Thursday, 24 July 2008 |
Local businessman Dennis Beloin disscusses the state’s economic future, during a public meeting held at the East Side Restaurant Tuesday evening. (Photo by Christopher Roy)
By CHRISTOPHER ROY
Express Staff Writer
A handful of Northeast Kingdom residents turned out at the East Side Restaurant to voice their opinions and concerns about the region’s economic future Tuesday evening.
Will Patten, Executive Director of the Vermont Business for Social
Responsibility, said the 14-member panel from the Commission on the
Future of Economic Development for Vermont was formed about two years
ago to create a five-year plan for the state’s economic growth and
vitality.
One of the positives in the region, said Julie Mulroy-Evans, is how
well the early childhood groups work together. Evans is the regional
director of Building Bright Futures.
Local businessman Dennis Beloin from Westfield said his computer sales has dramatically increase over the past several years.
Northern Vermont Development Association board member Art Sanborn added
the Northeast Kingdom has a significant number of industrial parks that
have space and an adequate infrastructure.
Trish Sears, CEO for the Newport City Renaissance Corporation said
there’s a high level of entrepreneurship that has partners and
resources from NVDA and the USDA Rural Development.
“We have been able to see some entrepreneurship take place that we
didn’t anticipate and there is more coming out of the woodwork,” she
said. “We’re trying to make it as friendly as possible for
entrepreneurs.”
Some of the upcoming projects are additions at the East Side Restaurant
as well as building a waterfront resort at the Waterfront Plaza. There
are also plans to provide wireless communications throughout the region
and expanding the runway at the Newport State Airport in Coventry.
Sears said one third of the residential properties serve as a second
home for many, but in some areas, that increases prices for single home
buyers.
Patterson added there is sufficient low and high income homes, but there’s a lack of affordable housing for the middle-class.
Housing was not the only concerns that were brought up. Beloin who is
in the process of building a half-million dollar wood pellet plant,
said the lack of progress has less to do with finances than it does
with the lengthy permit process. He also said Vermont has to compete
with other states that are more open to business.
“It’s unbelievable what some of these states are doing to get you to form a business or a corporation in their states,” he said.
Later in the meeting, he said 95 people have already applied for a job
in his company that has not even started construction yet.
“This is sad; it’s not good for our area,” he said. “There are great
things going on, but I can’t tell you how many people are looking for
work. They are hard workers, but a lot of them are about to lose their
jobs.”
Several members of the public agreed, noting the Newport area has a
long history of having the highest level of unemployment in the state.
Beloin said the $40 million spent on fuel assistance could be spent on local fuel production.
“You are going to take the money and give it to every other state and
country in the world and will never see it again,” he said, adding that
he realizes the money needs to be spent to help people. “There is no
way they are going to be able to heat at five dollars a gallon this
winter.”
Jack Rogers of Newport expressed displeasure that Vermonters aren’t
allowed to grow hemp products, even though it’s one of the most viable
products that has numerous uses.
Adequate public transportation is another issue which is vital for everyone – particularly for the elderly, said Sears.
Dr. Robert Kern, superintendent of North Country Schools, suggested
alternative methods of transportation, such as rail travel should be
made more available.
Some members of the group were not as open when the discussion briefly turned to big box stores.
“I would rather see a mega Pick and Shovel than a tiny Wal-Mart,” said
Judy Bevans. “Since Ames went out business, Pick and Shovel has tried
to take up the slack.”
Evans said small business need a customer base as well as the tax breaks that are given to larger companies.
Beloin questioned why foreigners are more willing to invest in the state than Vermonters.
“It doesn’t make sense,” he said. “Vermont isn’t going to be Vermont pretty soon.”
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 July 2008 )
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