On October 7th, the Vermont Chamber convened legislators and business leaders from across the state for a full-day policy retreat focused on strengthening two of Vermont’s cornerstone industries: manufacturing and tourism. The event focused on aligning state tools, programs, and regulations to better support and grow these sectors, both of which are vital to Vermont’s long-term economic vitality and competitiveness.

With a tight state budget and continued uncertainty around federal funding, a solutions-focused discussion emerged on how to better leverage existing programs, streamline administrative and regulatory processes, remove outdated barriers to growth, and develop a skilled workforce. Participants emphasized the importance of increased collaboration and practical reform as essential to maintaining competitiveness and fostering innovation across industries.

The connections forged during these retreats will guide cooperative, results-driven reforms that strengthen Vermont’s economy while protecting affordability for employers. The insights gained from these conversations will also help inform the Vermont Chamber’s advocacy work in the upcoming legislative session.

Vermont’s fiscal challenges require progress through smart reform and efficiency, not through added costs for families and employers. To move forward, the state must maximize the impact of existing resources, reduce redundancies and roadblocks, and lean into efficiency, maximizing the impact of existing resources, reducing redundancies and roadblocks, and foster growth through strategic investment and meaningful reform.