Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region

What Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region does

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is a 501C6 nonprofit economic development and chamber of commerce organization headquartered at 67 Merchants Row in Rutland, Vermont. It was formed in 2020 through the merger of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce (founded 1898) and the Rutland Economic Development Corporation (80+ year history), consolidating over a century of regional business advocacy into a single entity serving Rutland County's 26 towns and Rutland City across 939 square miles. The organization is staffed by seven employees and operates three principal program lines: (1) membership and member services, including the Perk Card discount program, networking mixers, and an online business directory; (2) business development services such as business planning counseling, site selection, workforce training referrals, public policy advocacy, and a Revolving Loan Fund issuing fixed-rate loans of $5,000–$250,000 at 5–12% interest; and (3) regional marketing and infrastructure, including Real Rutland (a relocation concierge initiative that has facilitated 250+ relocations since 2016), The Hub CoWorks (24,000 sq ft of coworking space), and The MINT (a 22,000 sq ft makerspace with CNC, welding, and 3D-printing equipment, partnered with accelerator gener8tor).

CEDRR's business model blends three revenue streams: recurring membership dues from local businesses, advertising and event sponsorship inventory (website sidebar ads from $37.50/month, newsletter features at $75, event sponsorships ranging from $375 mixers to $20,000 Workforce In Motion Summit tiers, and map/print advertising $150–$1,200), and interest income from the federally-capitalized Revolving Loan Fund. It also receives grant funding, notably a $150,000 Vermont GROW program grant for Real Rutland and additional appropriations from the Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development. Distribution is primarily direct and community-led: walk-in services at the Rutland headquarters, the online member portal and newsletter (1,800+ subscribers), the coworking/makerspace facilities, and signature in-person events (Whoopie Pie Festival, Real Rutland Feud, Workforce In Motion Summit, monthly mixers, ribbon cuttings).

Name

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region

Legal name

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region

Website

https://rutlandvermont.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CEDRR is a 501C6 nonprofit formed in 2020 through the merger of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and the Rutland Economic Development Corporation, serving businesses, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and relocating families across Rutland County, Vermont via membership services, a revolving loan fund, coworking and makerspace facilities, and the Real Rutland relocation marketing initiative.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rutland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing access to Perk Card discounts, business directory listings, networking events, advertising opportunities, and member-to-member deals.
2. Advertising & Sponsorship: Website advertising (sidebar ads from $37.50/month for members), newsletter marketing ($75 spotlight features), event sponsorships (annual meeting starting at $500, Workforce In Motion Summit $2,500-$20,000), and map advertising ($350-$1,200).
3. Revolving Loan Fund Interest: Fixed-rate loans of $5,000-$250,000 with interest rates starting at 5% up to 12%, generating interest income. CEDRR members receive 1% rate discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) is a nonprofit organization that delivers chamber of commerce and regional economic development services across Rutland County, Vermont. Its offerings include a revolving business loan fund ($5,000–$250,000), coworking and makerspace facilities (The Hub CoWorks and The MINT), the Career Hub job board, business consulting, site selection, workforce training resources, public policy advocacy, a Perk Card member discount program, and the Real Rutland relocation marketing initiative.

Product overview

CEDRR offers a comprehensive suite of economic development and chamber of commerce services organized around business growth, workforce development, and regional marketing. Core offerings include the Career Hub for job listings, Perk Card for member discounts, Revolving Loan Fund ($5K-$250K), The Hub CoWorks coworking space, Real Rutland regional marketing initiative, The MINT makerspace, Business Planning & Consulting, Site Selection, Workforce Training, and Public Policy advocacy. Membership provides access to networking events, advertising, and sponsorship opportunities. The organization operates as a 501C6 nonprofit founded in 2020 through merger of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce and Rutland Economic Development Corporation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Real Rutland: Regional marketing initiative operated by CEDRR focused on relocation outreach and retention efforts, having facilitated over 250 relocations to Rutland County since 2016.
• The MINT
• The Hub CoWorks

Products and services

• Career Hub A curated online listing of professional job opportunities in the Rutland region, along with resources to help professionals relocate to Rutland County. Targets job seekers and employers in the region.
• Perk Card A membership benefit program providing discounts and deals from member businesses. All member businesses receive one free PERK card for every member of their organization, distributed to thousands of cardholders in the region.
• Revolving Loan Fund Fixed-rate business loans ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 with interest rates starting at 5% up to a 12% ceiling. CEDRR members receive a 1% rate discount. The fund reinvests repaid loans into new loans for other businesses, with a $100 non-refundable application fee and 1% commitment fee on approval.
• The Hub CoWorks A 24,000-square-foot coworking space in historic downtown Rutland offering hot desks, private desks, private office options, shared areas, call/Zoom rooms, conference spaces, and a self-serve café. Targets remote workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.
• Real Rutland A regional marketing and concierge relocation initiative operated by CEDRR to attract and assist individuals and families relocating to Rutland County. Since 2016, it has facilitated over 250 relocations, accounts for over one-third of Vermont GROW program relocations, and currently assists 129 families exploring a move.
• The MINT - Rutland's Makerspace A 22,000-square-foot makerspace providing tools and equipment including CNC routers, metal lathes, welding equipment, plasma cutters, 3D printing, electronics programming, and laser cutting. Targets makers, entrepreneurs, and small manufacturers in the region.
• Business Planning & Consulting Connects businesses with counselors from the Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) and Vermont APEX Accelerator (PTAC) for help starting or growing a business, including in-depth counseling, business planning, marketing assistance, and government contracting guidance.
• Site Selection Assists businesses in finding office, warehouse, industrial, land, and retail/hospitality properties in the Rutland Region through a searchable database of available commercial real estate.
• Workforce Training & Education Resources for workforce education and training, coordinating with the Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Training Program, and higher education partnerships (including Vermont State University – Castleton).
• Public Policy & Programming Monitors and weighs in on legislation impacting the business community and facilitates direct interaction between members and State Representatives, Senators, Congressmen, and the Governor.
• Events Program Organizes signature networking and community events including monthly mixers, the Workforce In Motion Summit, the Real Rutland Feud, and the Whoopie Pie Festival (7,000+ attendees). Also conducts ribbon cuttings for new member businesses.
• CEDRR Membership Annual membership program providing networking, marketing referrals, Perk Card access, member-to-member discounts, access to Hub CoWorks meeting rooms, advertising opportunities, and event sponsorship benefits for local businesses in Rutland County.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250 individuals relocated to Rutland County since 2016
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Vermont State University – CastletoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with eye toward enhancing internship and career opportunities and increased focus on community engagement. CEDRR works with Castleton University for workforce development and student opportunities.
• Downtown Rutland PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) nonprofit managing Downtown Rutland Special Benefits District. Works with City of Rutland on events, marketing, business development, and streetscape initiatives for downtown.
• Rutland Regional Planning CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes cooperation of local planning commissions, encourages coordinated regional development, prepares comprehensive regional plans for Rutland Region.
• Rutland Redevelopment AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChartered in 1989 to reduce property tax burden, redevelop blighted structures, revitalize commercial/industrial sectors, and promote economic opportunity.
• Rutland Young ProfessionalssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormed in 2013 to create opportunities for residents to engage with community. Focuses on social and professional networking, attracting young professionals to area.
• Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides free technical assistance to starting and growing small businesses with in-depth counseling, business planning, marketing help, and referrals.
• Vermont Department of Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency improving economic well-being of Vermonters while preserving natural resources and community values. Provides grants and programs.
• Vermont Department of LaborsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAssists employers with job creation, retention, recruitment; coordinates workforce education and training; provides labor market information.
• Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNot-for-profit providing assistance to Vermont manufacturers under 500 employees. Helps solve problems, increase productivity, modernize processes.
• Vermont APEX Accelerator (formerly VT PTAC)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHelps businesses understand government contracting requirements and obtain/complete federal, state, local contracts. Part of national PTAC network.
• gener8torsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccelerator and incubator dedicated to attracting, supporting, and scaling high-growth startups in Rutland. Operates gALPHA (4-week startup program) and gBETA (7-week accelerator) at The Hub CoWorks.
• The Hub CoWorkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRutland's newest co-working space, 24,000 sq ft in historic downtown. Offers hot desks, private offices, conference spaces. Operated by CEDRR.
• The MINT – Rutland's MakerspacesupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor22,000 sq ft makerspace with CNC routers, metal lathe, welding, 3D printing, laser cutting. Learning community for makers and entrepreneurs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce: Another Vermont regional chamber of commerce serving a multi-county area, providing the same core mix of membership, advocacy, networking, and economic development services — directly comparable in mission, structure, and revenue model to CEDRR.
• Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce: A regional Vermont chamber of commerce combining business membership, advocacy, events, and community marketing — directly comparable to CEDRR's chamber-of-commerce functions in a similarly-sized rural Vermont community.
• Addison County Economic Development Corporation: A Vermont county-level economic development nonprofit offering revolving loan funds, business advising, and workforce programming — a near-twin operating model to CEDRR's economic development half in a different Vermont county.

Others

• gener8tor: A national accelerator that operates gALPHA and gBETA programs out of CEDRR's Hub CoWorks. Functionally a complementor/enabler that uses CEDRR's physical platform to deliver startup programming in the region.
• Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC): A statewide network providing free business advising that CEDRR directly partners with and refers clients to; an adjacent ecosystem participant whose services overlap CEDRR's consulting and business planning offerings.
• Vermont Department of Economic Development: Vermont's state economic development agency, a direct funder of CEDRR programs (GROW, ACCD grants) and a coordinator of overlapping workforce, lending, and attraction initiatives across the state.

Broad incumbents

• Vermont Chamber of Commerce: The statewide chamber of commerce in Vermont, providing policy advocacy, statewide business programming, and a broader portfolio that overlaps with CEDRR's regional policy and membership work.
• Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA): Vermont's state-level economic development finance authority providing low-interest loans, a direct overlap with CEDRR's revolving loan fund and a partner in the same capital ecosystem.

Regional players

• Northern Forest Center: A regional economic development nonprofit serving northern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine with community development, real estate, and small business support — a comparable rural ED nonprofit operating at multi-county scale.
• Maine Development Foundation: A statewide private-public economic development organization in Maine offering policy advocacy, business support, and partnerships; comparable in mission and structure to CEDRR at state scale in an adjacent New England economy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RutlandChamberandEconomicDevelopment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cedrr
• Xx.com/rutlandchamber

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region