Workforce Development

There are many tools and resources available to companies and individuals looking to
establish a business in Rutland. Click here to see just a few!

Yankee Work Ethic
The Rutland region's work-force is viewed as among the most stable, mature, and educated in the Northeast. In a survey of Rutland area manufacturers, the high productivity and strong work ethic of employees was cited as the area's greatest business advantage. Stability and loyalty were also mentioned as characteristic of Rutland workers. It is projected that the 20- to 49-year-old age group will continue to grow.

The local workforce is, in relative terms, middle-aged, most often married couples with children; own single family homes; have moderate to high incomes; are employed in professional, managerial or other white-collar occupations; with 79.4 percent as high school graduates (the national average is 75.2 percent).

State programs
The state offers a wide variety of programs to assist you.
Click to learn about the many State Programs available to you.

Local programs

The Rutland Economic Development Corporation (REDC) offers a revolving loan fund to help new businesses relocating to the area or for the expansion of existing businesses. Loans of between $5,000 and $75,000 are available to qualifying firms. Housed at REDC, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free technical assistance to starting and growing small businesses. Operated through the Vermont State College System, SBDC links businesses with higher education, state and federal programs, as well as other businesses.

The Vermont Employment Growth Incentive program provides a cash payment, based on new job and payroll creation, to companies that have been pre-approved for the incentive. Pre-approval occurs through application to the Vermont Economic Progress Council

Permitting
Rutland City has an adopted municipal plan and updated its zoning ordinance in 2004, which makes the filing of Act 250 permits in the city easier than at a greenfield site. The state of Vermont has indicated its preference for urban infill development, using available space within urban areas. Act 183, the Growth Centers legislation, outlines these changes in the permitting process.

Rutland will be preparing its application to be designated as a Growth Center over the next twelve to eighteen months.

Educational institutions
The Rutland Region offers a large number of excellent educational institutions.
Click here to learn more about these institutions.

Transportation
Rutand is stategically located for your business.
Click here to see how easy it is to reach Rutland.

Quality of Life

Besides providing businesses the tools necessary to be successful and profitable, Rutland has an excellent quality of life to offer.

Recreation
There is no better place than the Rutland region when it comes to Recreation
Click here to see the many ways to relax and enjoy the area.

Theater/Special Events/Arts/Concerts/Festivals

Rutland has a sense of community which combines the benefits of city services with a small town atmosphere. Click Here for a small sample.

Historic Downtown

Rutland’s historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the city’s zoning ordinance has created an architectural review board to ensure that the value of the historic structures in the downtown district is preserved.

Clean Air/Clean Water

Vermont is the only state from northern Virginia to Maine that has been designated as being fully in attainment with regard to ozone concentrations at ground level. This results from the wind patterns that keep pollutants created in the coastal metropolitan areas from being blown into Vermont. Pollution created in the northeast megalopolis typically does not reach Vermont, and gives the air here that clear, crisp feel which is uniquely Vermont’s.

The state of Vermont is very protective of its surface waters, and it only takes one day of fly fishing in a Green Mountain stream to appreciate the clarity of its waters.

As a place to do business,
and live the good life,