Workforce Investments Take Shape in Economic Development Bills

As the House and Senate work on their respective economic development bills, details are emerging on the workforce investments that the Vermont Chamber has been advocating for, including relocation incentives, the redeployment of economic recovery grants, and investments in the CTE system. H.703 includes $35 million for CTE facilities upgrades to expand course offerings, and the Vermont Chamber is advocating for the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee to adopt the Governor’s full agenda on CTE, including $10 million for facilities upgrades, $10 million to reduce the education costs for students, and marketing to end the stigma of the CTE path. The House is also considering increased funding for refugee resettlement and incentives to keep older Vermonters working. The Senate has focused their work on S.263 which includes $6 million for new relocating worker incentives and a marketing effort to encourage people to move to Vermont.