Category Archives: Economic Development

Who wants to deal with a broken kitchen sink?

Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2023 by • No comments yet

These handy-people recommended on FPF do! Many members turn to FPF to ask neighbors who they use to fix faucets, screen doors, broken heaters, you name it… Then, members share their positive experience back on FPF. See these success stories below. 

What do you have that needs professional fixing? Ask for recommendations on your FPF, and check out FPF’s Community Directory with over 13,000 listings of local businesses in all categories! 

  • In Middlebury… “A valve malfunction shut down my kitchen sink and Shawn Frost, previously recommended here on FPF, went above and beyond in his efforts to get me out of my quandary the very same day at no small inconvenience to him and his plans. He is very experienced across the board in all things related to plumbing, pleasant, efficient, and professional, so I too am happy to recommend him.”
  • In South Burlington… “We want to let everyone know that we had a great experience finding a handy person on FPF this week and would like to recommend him. Do not hesitate to contact Craig Bujold for any of your home projects. He’s a super nice person that works in Human Services and can tackle projects with competence and a smile.”
  • In St. Johnsbury… “Several weeks ago I found a listing here on FPF for a handyman and I reached out to Isaac Poe. Now I am back to tell you what a positive experience it is to work with him. He was very responsive, on time, reasonably priced but most of all he did a high quality job. I could not be happier with the work he did for me. I highly recommend him.”

Use FPF to Recommend Local Businesses

Posted on Monday, October 10, 2022 by • No comments yet

Front Porch Forum takes our members’ privacy seriously.  When members post to their Forum, they know that what they write will be visible only to the members of their own FPF and of immediate neighboring Forums.  This allows members to engage freely in conversation about local issues, which is central to FPF’s community-building mission.

There are a few situations, though, where it might make sense for members’ postings to be more broadly visible.  One of these is when a member recommends a local business or nonprofit on their Forum.  Recommendations on FPF are an important resource for our members, and making them more broadly available helps support the nearly 12,000 local businesses and nonprofits that are members of FPF.

With this in mind, FPF recently launched a new feature:  Recommendation postings for businesses or nonprofits now show up on the business or nonprofit’s listing in FPF’s Community Directory!  Those postings are visible to any FPF member who views that listing, even if they aren’t a member of the Forum where the recommendation originated.

So if you are a business owner or nonprofit leader, ask your customers and supporters to post a recommendation for you on their Forum.  (While you’re at it, ask them to “favorite” your listing as well!)  When it shows up on your Directory listing, FPF’s 220,000 members all over Vermont will be able to see how much FPF members value what you do!

One Vermonter’s Response to Inflation

Posted on Monday, July 11, 2022 by • No comments yet

A recent Front Porch Forum posting in the Northeast Kingdom…

My favorite shopping place is FPF. As we are all struggling to get by, we think we can’t afford to buy what we need. But then the generosity of an FPF neighbor comes through. They have helped me several times! Thank you Neighbors 🤗

• Randall in East Burke

Apply now for economic recovery grants!

Posted on Friday, July 10, 2020 by • No comments yet

As a result of the federal CARES act, the State of Vermont has recently made available new Economic Recovery Grants for minority and women-owned businesses with 0-5 employees.  There’s also special funding for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations as part of a special allocation of funding through the Vermont Arts Council.

Learn more and apply for the economic recovery grants for Vermont small businesses owned by minorities and women.  $2.5 million has been set aside for women-owned businesses and $2.5 million for minority-owned businesses with 0-5 employees.

Vermont nonprofit arts and cultural organizations should use the same portal to apply for these grants. To learn more about what it means for Vermont’s creative sector check here.

Vermont Country Stores Reach Customers via Front Porch Forum

Posted on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 by • No comments yet

From Anne Wallace Allen in VTDigger yesterday…

Jack Garvin, longtime manager of the Warren Store in the Mad River Valley, which sells gifts, housewares, craft beer and other items, said that like every store, his has a group of regulars who meet every morning for coffee. Apart from participating in a huge range of events, Garvin finds it helpful to advertise on Front Porch Forum (FPF), the online bulletin board.

“Regardless of how loyal your customers are and they love the idea of having a country store in their town when it comes to bottom line and looking at your wallet and looking at your disposable income, they’ll by and large go to the better deals,” Garvin said. But he added he can see through FPF analytics that his ads reach people outside the Mad River Valley.

“We don’t know how that translates into people walking in the door, but people are paying attention,” he said.

FPF Co-founder to Speak in Bennington

Posted on Friday, June 8, 2018 by • No comments yet

Front Porch Forum co-founder and CEO, Michael Wood-Lewis will speak in Bennington on June 21 at the Bennington Museum as part of The Lightning Jar Leadership Speaker Series. Come join us and hear how Front Porch Forum is helping to change conversations in our communities.

This Speaker Series brings entrepreneurs and business leaders to Bennington from all over to tell their stories about building and growing businesses in Vermont. The Lightning Jar is Bennington’s entrepreneurial hub and professional development community.

For more information on our upcoming visit to Bennington, click here.

Finding the right person for a household need

Posted on Thursday, March 1, 2018 by • No comments yet

Need help finding the right person for a household fix or project? Many turn to Front Porch Forum for the answer.

“I was in a little jam last night and needed the help of a plumber. After researching FPF I called a local plumber and told him my issue. Over the phone he told me how to fix my immediate problem and I did it in less then 10 minutes. Because of the way I was treated, he is coming by tomorrow to look at a larger project and to fix another small leak. Good things come to folks who didn’t know me from Adam but jumped in to help.”
• Robert in Montpelier

In response to someone looking for firewood:
“Jim’s Firewood – he advertises in the business section of FPF.” • Bruce in Hinesburg

“Many thanks to Front Porch Forum for helping to bridge the gap in the digital age for promoting small, local businesses!” • Richard in Richmond

Check out the FPF local Business Directory for a host of options for your next project.

Local businesses are part of our community – let’s support them!

Posted on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 by • No comments yet

“I find FPF to be an extremely effective way to communicate to other members of my community. The few paid ads that are listed have been relevant and at times I have made use of them. We should be supporting local business.” • Cynthia in Burlington

“I found an ad for Florauna Lodge Mobile Grooming here on FPF, and wanted anyone who might have had any interest in the service to know how pleased I am with Kelley and her work.” •  Pete in So. Burlington

Yes, we agree! Please support the businesses which sponsor your Front Porch Forum.

Revitalizing downtown Randolph

Posted on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 by • No comments yet

Residents in Randolph are making great use of Front Porch Forum to stir up ideas regarding their downtown! It all started with one post…. and numerous responses later, the community held a brainstorming session and created a survey to set some goals to stimulate business in their downtown.

“Lets see if we can get a list, through discussion, on what types of business people might like to see downtown. Lets list anything that we can dream up” • John in East Randolph

“I appreciate how much everyone has engaged in this discussion, you all have wonderful ideas and we should really think about getting together to have this discussion in person. It seems like the energy is there and that’s the most important ingredient.” • Trevor in Randolph

“Gratitude for all the thoughtful discussion going on. Front Porch Forum is alive–and so is Randolph!” • Josie in Randolph Center

We can’t wait to see what develops!

About Blog

Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more

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