Category Archives: Economic Development
Apply now for economic recovery grants!
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
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.
Help More Vermonters Benefit from FPF… Mobile App on the Way!
Did you know that nearly one-third of low-income Americans don’t have a broadband-connected computer and can only access the internet by mobile phone?
FPF is committed to making it easy for all Vermonters to participate in their local Front Porch Forum. We’re building a mobile app to make FPF even more inclusive. We need to raise $30,000 by next Tuesday to accomplish this. Please help today:
https://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members
More than 160,000 Vermonters participate on their local FPF daily. With your help, even more will be able to join the conversation.
Please contribute $200, $100, $50, $27 or any amount. Credit card, PayPal or check: https://frontporchforum.com/supporting-members
Front Porch Forum
PO Box 64781
Burlington, VT 05406-4781
FPF is a Vermont business, with a staff of 18, that serves every community in the state. We are not a charity and contributions are not tax deductible. Most of our expenses are covered by ad sales to Vermont businesses, and your Supporting Member contribution helps close the gap. Thank you!
UPDATE: We surpassed our funding goal by our deadline! Thanks so much to the many FPF Supporting Members who chipped in. Stay tuned for news about the FPF mobile app launch coming soon!
FPF Co-founder to Speak in Bennington
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
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!
“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
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!
FPF Hiring Ruby on Rails Developer
Front Porch Forum is hiring! We are seeking a Ruby on Rails Developer to join our team. This position is full-time and based in Burlington, Vermont. Be part of a world-class team of software engineers, and help us fulfill our community-building mission. Check out the details and apply here.
FPF is hiring… Online Community Manager
Do you love helping neighbors connect? Do you value a strong sense of community among neighbors?
Front Porch Forum is looking to hire a reliable, organized, and self-motivated addition to our highly collaborative Vermont-based team.
Learn more today and apply by March 24, 2017.
Thousands of business recommendations flow through Front Porch Forum
“A few weeks ago I posted on our Front Porch Forum seeking recommendations for XC boots in our area, and several people wrote to say Onion River Sports was the place to go. So we went there and, sure enough, my sister found the perfect boots. The salesperson patiently helped her get fitted properly, and, after years of XC skiing, she says these are the best boots she’s ever had. Yay for Onion River Sports and FPF posters. Thanks again!”
• Kathy, East Montpelier FPF
What’s your question? Ask neighbors on your FPF and shop local!
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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