CEDRR honors community leader across the region at annual meeting

Photo Polly Mikula, mural by Lopi LaRoe

The mural titled “We Built This” was unveiled Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Mint Makerspace in Rutland. It’s dedicated to the empowered woman in non-traditional spaces. This is the first installment of the triptych, which will feature two additional women workers —a  riveter and a welder —on either side. It will be completed in the spring. 

By Polly Mikula

Individuals and teams of leaders were recognized for being instrumental in moving the region forward at the Chamber & Economic Development of the Rutland Region (CEDRR) Annual Meeting, Tuesday evening Nov. 14, at the MINT Makerspace in Rutland.

Nicole Bower, owner of the Cluckin’ Cafe and Rollin’ Rooster was awarded as Business Leader of the Year for her expansive growth since 2019 when the first Rollin’ Rooster food trailer hit the road. She and her husband Scott now have a restaurant in Pittsford and three food trailers. This winter, they’ll also be serving at the Skyship Base Lodge in Killington.

Next, the Killington Select Board was named the 2023 Community Leader of the Year for its efforts to bring together the people and infrastructure needed to (finally) make a village at the base of the resort a reality — and at the same time building a municipal water system and a new main road to support existing and future community growth.

“We would like to recognize your tireless commitment and exemplary leadership to the town of Killington, where you have not only been awarded a TIF District designation, but you have brought the town, businesses and the resort together in an amazing partnership, a partnership that will be a model for other communities to follow in the future,” said Lyle Jepson, executive director of CEDRR.

Paul Gallo, owner of Magic Brush Painting, who was unable to make the event, was next  honored as Volunteer of the Year (see related story).

Rounding out the awards was the Rutland Area Robotics team which was named Innovator of the Year. The team has benefited from the MINT’s expansion from 14,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet this summer, which allowed for the creation of the first regulation size  playing field on which to train and practice robots in the state.

Dan Roswell, founder and president of Rutland Area Robotics said, “The team in front of you is the workforce of the future… they’ll be the ones to help solve the big problems, to innovate, to engineer solutions.”

The evening capped off with the unveiling of a new 17-foot tall, 16-foot wide mural by artist Lopi LaRoe, aka LMNOPI (pictured above).

For more information and photos, visit mountaintimes.info.

By Polly Mikula

CEDRR Executive Director Lyle Jepson (left) awards Killington Select Board Chair Steve Finneron (center) and Town Manager Michael Ramsey as the 2023 Community Leader.