The region’s workforce continues to grow with more people commuting out of the region to work, mainly into Chittenden County. Over the next several decades, a significant proportion of the region’s workforce will reach retirement age. The education level of the region’s workforce has increased over the past 20 years. During the past several decades, social and economic changes have reshaped work and family life in the region with two-income households becoming the norm.

 

Education, manufacturing, retail trade, agriculture, forestry and construction are the main employment sectors for the region’s residents. The region’s employment centers – Middlebury, Vergennes and Bristol – are still employing about 70 percent of the region’s residents. A growing number of small businesses are starting in the region and the number of self-employed continues to rise.

 

The region’s large employers include Middlebury College, Goodrich Corporation, Porter Medical, Addison County Home Health, Addison County Counseling Service and the public school system. The service sector including jobs in education and health services is now the largest sector of the region’s economy. Tourism is another growing sector of the region’s economy.

 

Agriculture and forestry have played a central role in defining the character of the Addison Region and have historically been, and continue to be, significant parts of the region’s economy. Current trends in agriculture are leading to fewer, larger dairy farms in the region. There is also a trend towards small operations focused on non-dairy or specialty-food products.

 

 

 

The Addison County Regional Planning Commission establishes the follow­ing goals and objectives for the Addison Region through this plan.

Goal A.

The Addison Region will be an attractive place to live, work, vacation and conduct business.

To meet this goal, it is our objective:

1.      To stimulate and support economic security, opportunity, growth and a high quality of life in the region’s communities.

2.      To create an environment that encourages business expansion, creation and relocation employing all Addison Region residents in jobs that pay good wages and benefits.

3.      To fully utilize the region’s tourism potential through the development and support of tourism activities and facilities tailored to the Addison Region.

4.      That the potential of the Addison Region’s creative, artistic, cultural and historic resources will be fully realized to enliven the local economy and enhance the character of the region’s communities.

5.      That the Addison Region’s education, health and non-profit institutions will continue to be vital components of the local economy and improve the quality of life for the region’s residents.

Goal B.

The economy of the Addison Region is and should continue to be primarily comprised of small- to medium-sized, locally-owned businesses, which can be created and grow without placing undue strain on local services, schools and property taxes.

To meet this goal, it is our objective:

1.      To actively support the development of new small- and medium-sized businesses in order to spread both job opportunities and impacts on communities throughout the region.

2.      To ensure that industrial, commercial and tourism facilities are developed in a manner that is consistent with local and regional land use plans.

3.      That municipalities will allow for development of home occupations and cottage industries in their zoning regulations, while developing standards for their review that will ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses.

4.      That existing vacant or under-utilized structures or former industrial sites will be considered for reuse whenever possible.

5.      That municipalities will be encouraged to undertake capital planning and budgeting so that future expansion or maintenance of infrastructure will not place undue hardship on taxpayers.

Goal C.

The economy of the Addison Region should continue to be significantly tied to agriculture and forest products in order to ensure the continuation of sustainable farming and forestry in the region and the maintenance of the region’s rural character.

To meet this goal, it is our objective:

1.      That locally-owned enterprises will make use of the region’s natural resources to produce value-added products, including services that rely on and benefit from our rural character.

2.      That communities should encourage at all levels the purchase of goods and services that are produced locally.

3.      That local businesses should be assisted in expanding the markets for their products and services.

4.      To support diversity in the region’s agricultural enterprises in order to insulate the local economy from the impacts of volatile commodity prices and changing markets.

Goal D.

The Addison Region will provide adequate infrastructure and services to support a strong and diverse economy.

To meet this goal, it is our objective:

1.      To steer professional and commercial development toward locally designated village centers in order to support existing businesses, attract new businesses to the region and stimulate village revitalization and development.

2.      To develop and maintain a state-of-the-art information infrastructure required to attract and retain high-tech jobs in the region.

3.      To fully utilize and grow the region’s industrial parks and facilities.

4.      That transportation facilities – including pedestrian, bike, rail, air, public transit and vehicular transportation facilities – will be maintained and improved for the service of commercial, recreational and industrial activities.

5.      That a full range of reasonably priced housing opportunities will be available to house the Addison Region’s current and future workforce.

6.      That there will be high-quality, affordable childcare available throughout the Addison Region to meet the needs of working parents and provide an enriching environment for the region’s children.

7.      That a range of services such as adult daycare and continuing education will be available in the Addison Region to support a productive, employable workforce in the region.

 

1.                  Continue to actively work with the Addison County Economic Development Corporation and the Addison County Chamber of Commerce to plan and implement economic development strategies for the region.

2.                  Maintain the commercial and industrial property database in cooperation with the Addison County Economic Development Corporation.

3.                  Seek funding to assist with the identification, remediation and redevelopment of brownfield sites in the Addison Region.

4.                  Develop educational materials for owners of underutilized former agricultural buildings on converting such structures for industrial, commercial or residential use.

5.                  Support improvements to and expansion of the rail system in Addison County including upgrading the Vermont Rail line from Middlebury to Charlotte and development of the OMYA rail spur.

6.                  Assist communities seeking downtown or village center designations.

7.                  Continue to work with programs and organizations, such as Celebration Champlain, to promote the region, strengthen our tourism infrastructure and improve recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.

8.                  Utilize ACRPC’s mapping resources to promote and publicize the region’s historic, cultural, artistic, recreational and natural resources and tourism-based businesses.

A.                Workforce, Employment and Income

Workforce

a.      Size of the Workforce

Over the past 20 years, the Addison Region’s working-age population, people age 16 and up, has grown at a faster rate than the population as a whole. The number of people in the workforce rose at a rate nearly double the rate of population growth. In 1980, the working-age population was over 21,000 people and the total workforce was about 13,500. In 1990, the region had a working-age population of nearly 25,000 people and the Census counted approximately 17,000 people in the workforce. In 2000, the working-age population was approaching 28,000 of which approximately 19,500 were in the workforce. (See Table 5‑1, page 5-20).

 

The percentage of the working-age population in the workforce has risen over the past two decades from just below 63 percent to over 70 percent. A significant portion of the working-age population not in the workforce is likely retired. In 2000, there were approximately 4,000 people age 65 and over in the region.