GMEDC Upper Valley VT

About GMEDC.

Learn about who we are and what we do.

About GMEDC.

Learn about who we are and what we do.

Our mission is to foster and develop economic vitality and prosperity consistent with the goals of the communities we serve.


OUR NETWORK

WHAT WE DO...


In partnership with our Regional Planning Commission, GMEDC assists businesses, municipalities and individuals to address development challenges, set goals and find funding. This includes referrals to the Vermont Small Business Development Center, brownfields assessment and remediation, new sewer or water requirements, understanding state regulations, preparing grant and financing applications and much more.

GET IN TOUCH

WHY WE DO IT

As one of Vermont’s 12 Regional Development Corporations, we work with the state and the RDC network to support Vermont towns and businesses to help build a strong, diversified economy. A stable economy means a stable community.

OUR STORY

Founded in 1982 as the Green Mountain Industrial Corporation, GMEDC serves as the regional representative of the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Specializing in economic development, we know that economic success depends on far more than business growth alone. Our work isn’t about economics, it’s about people. People start and own businesses, employees need local housing, and residents want local jobs - when the people in our community succeed, we do too.

GMEDC is a trusted community partner. We are here to help you, your community, and your business get where you want to go.


Erika Hoffman-Kiess - GMEDC Executive Director

by Kim Souza

GMEDC (has) always been enthusiastic about supporting our small, woman-owned, independent retail shop …  I've now served on our local Selectboard for the past 3 years and have had the opportunity to work with GMEDC in the context of their work with our Revolving Loan Fund Committee. It's been encouraging to witness their efforts in assisting other small Vermont businesses to develop, expand and thrive...

  • Read more...

    Since opening my small business in 2002, I've reached out to GMEDC multiple times as a resource to help navigate various situations for which I simply didn't have the expertise to manage.  GMEDC staff and administration have always been enthusiastic about supporting our small, woman-owned, independent retail shop and have given me some invaluable guidance over the years.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic added multiple layers of financial & logistical complications to managing my shop, GMEDC has stepped even further up to liaison with ACCD and other agencies to help ensure that we were able to secure all of the recovery resources available to us.  I've now served on our local Selectboard for the past 3 years and have had the opportunity to work with GMEDC in the context of their work with our Revolving Loan Fund Committee. It's been encouraging to witness their efforts in assisting other small Vermont businesses to develop, expand and thrive.  Our local business community is fortunate to have GMEDC as such a capable and accessible resource!

by Kim Souza

GMEDC (has) always been enthusiastic about supporting our small, woman-owned, independent retail shop …  I've now served on our local Selectboard for the past 3 years and have had the opportunity to work with GMEDC in the context of their work with our Revolving Loan Fund Committee. It's been encouraging to witness their efforts in assisting other small Vermont businesses to develop, expand and thrive...

  • Read more...

    Since opening my small business in 2002, I've reached out to GMEDC multiple times as a resource to help navigate various situations for which I simply didn't have the expertise to manage.  GMEDC staff and administration have always been enthusiastic about supporting our small, woman-owned, independent retail shop and have given me some invaluable guidance over the years.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic added multiple layers of financial & logistical complications to managing my shop, GMEDC has stepped even further up to liaison with ACCD and other agencies to help ensure that we were able to secure all of the recovery resources available to us.  I've now served on our local Selectboard for the past 3 years and have had the opportunity to work with GMEDC in the context of their work with our Revolving Loan Fund Committee. It's been encouraging to witness their efforts in assisting other small Vermont businesses to develop, expand and thrive.  Our local business community is fortunate to have GMEDC as such a capable and accessible resource!

Our Team.


GMEDC has a small but dedicated team, led by Erika Hoffman-Kiess as Executive Director with Mark Condon as Operation Manager and James Coleman as Program Coordinator.

GMEDC Executive Director - Erika Hoffman-Kiess

Erika Hoffman-Kiess

Executive Director


Erika lives in Thetford, Vermont, returning to her childhood home after three decades spent living and working elsewhere in the United States and overseas.

  • Read more...

    She is a graduate of Thetford Academy and holds a BA in Political Science from Goucher College and an MPA from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director at GMEDC Erika was an independent workforce and economic development consultant in the international aid sector, living and working in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Portugal and central and north Africa before returning to her home state.

GMEDC Office Manager - Mark Condon

Mark Condon

Operations Manager


Mark Condon brings over 25 years of non-profit administrative experience to his role as GMEDC’s Operation Manager. Mark was born and raised in Bellows Falls, VT. 

  • Read more...

    He received a Liberal Arts B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY.  After graduation he moved to Brattleboro, VT. By his mid-20s he had worked numerous odd jobs including film projectionist, film department teaching assistant, hydroelectric plant assistant operator, video store clerk, cemetery caretaker, Zamboni driver, recreation supervisor and food supplement packager.  His first experience with non-profits was serving on the Brattleboro Community Television’s Board of Directors as Treasurer and Vice-Chair and then a short stint as the channel’s Interim Executive Director.


    Mark moved to Brooklyn, NY and served as administrative support at non-profits in the fields of HIV/AIDS research, psychiatric research, social services, and holistic training.  After almost 20-years in the big city, he returned to Vermont in 2016 to work with GMEDC to improve our local economy and communities.


    Mark is the fourth generation of his family to reside in the same house in Bellows Falls, where he lives with his wife, three cats and one chihuahua.


GMEDC Program Coordinator - James Coleman

James Coleman, Jr

Program Coordinator


James relocated to Hartford, VT in the Summer of 2024 from Somerville, MA with his partner and elderly cat, Sunshine. At GMEDC, he manages the Grant for Relocation and Outreach Work (GROW) and the White River Valley Consortium of the Working Communities Challenge (WRVC WCC) programs.

  • Read more...

    James recieved his BS from Northeastern University where he studied behavioral neuroscience. After graduating, he managed both clinical and translational research projects in the Boston area before pivoting to work in economic development.


    Although James is originally from New Hampshire, he is thrilled to now consider himself a Vermonter and is excited to build connections with local businesses, organizations, and community members in the Upper Valley. As part of the GROW program, he will be hosting the Upper Valley Welcome Wagon which connects new Vermonters with locals to help introduce them to our vibrant communities.


    In his spare time, James enjoys meeting new people, going for hikes, skiing/snowboarding, and taking pictures of Vermont's incredibly beautiful natural wonders.

OUR BOARD

Executive Committee


GMEDC Board - Damian DiNicola

Damian DiNicola

CHAIR

GMEDC Board - Unfilled Chair

New Title

VICE-CHAIR

(CURRENTLY UNFILLED)

GMEDC Board - Edwin Childs

Edwin S. Childs

SECRETARY

Russell North

TREASURER

OUR BOARD

Members


Joseph A. Boyd

Ken Cadow

Lisa Henderson

James Masland

"Bushrod" Powers

Cathy Tempesta

Jay Zanleoni

Our Network

GMEDC works with entities across the spectrum of public and private sectors, academia and non-profits to provide the right connections at the right time. Not all businesses and municipalities have the same needs - our network enables referrals to funding opportunities that fit your capital needs, training programs that build the skills you want, and information resources that provide answers to your specific questions.

Agency of Commerce & Community Dev
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development enhances the business climate, develops tourism, and strengthens Vermont communities.



Website

VtSBDC
Vermont Small Business Development Center provides no-cost professional guidance to area business owners including training programs and confidential advising.

Website

TRORC
Two Rivers-Ottauquechee Regional Planning Commission in east-central Vermont provides technical services to support a thriving regional economy and enhance the quality of life.

Website

VEDA
Vermont Economic Development Authority contributes to economic vitality by providing an array of financing programs to eligible businesses

Website

VMEC
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center provides hands-on assistance and proven solutions to help state manufacturers improve processes and grow profitably.

Website

VCRD
Vermont Council on Rural Development is a collaborative non-profit using community-based facilitation to identify and address locally-defined issues that impact rural life.

Website

VCN
Vermont Creative Network is a broad collective of organizations, businesses, and individuals working to advance the state’s creative sector.

Website

Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce
Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce serves the five villages in Hartford and surrounding areas to promote and enhance the economic environment.

Website

Cohase Chamber of Commerce
The Cohase Chamber serves Vermont and New Hampshire communities, fostering a vibrant economic climate in the northern reaches of the Upper Valley.

Website

Randolph Economic Dev Corporation
REDC serves an advisory role to the Selectboard, enhancing economic opportunities for businesses and organizations within the town. 



Website

Randolph Area Community Dev Corp
Randolph Area Community Development Corporation is an affordable housing and community development nonprofit working to strengthen social and economic assets.

Website

VTC
Vermont Technical College, part of the state system, is a technical college in Randolph Center with 10 additional campuses located throughout the state.



Website

Vital Communities
A non-profit cultivating the civic, environmental, and economic vitality of the bi-state Upper Valley, a 69 town region spanning the Connecticut River.

Website

ECVEDD
The East Central Vermont Economic Development District provides resources to facilitate quality decision making for the benefit of area businesses and communities.

Website

The Local Crowd Upper Valley
The Local Crowd Upper Valley is a community-based crowdfunding platform that cultivates an ecosystem of investors, social enterprises, and local economy champions. 

Website
CONTACT US TO DISCUSS HOW OUR PARTNERS CAN HELP YOU
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