- Vermont is in competition for businesses. Organizations that come to individual towns and employees to make them grow are vital. The Declaration of Inclusion positions our state to better compete, domestically and internationally.
- Most Vermont towns are losing population and those who remain are aging. Young people get their education and leave the state. New young families are not coming here. In the long run, that’s disastrous.
- The Governor and key growth business organizations in Vermont have strongly endorsed the diversity and inclusion initiative. Among them are the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, and the Vermont Council on Rural Development.
- In guiding a town in addressing its various challenges and opportunities, it is increasingly important that town leaders be creative, positive and forward thinking. Including people and demographic trends is a vital part of town leadership’s responsibility.
- Adopting a Declaration of Inclusion is an opportunity for towns, whether farming/forestry, tourist or business based, to stand with more than 130 Vermont towns that have seen the connection and endorsed the concept that diversity is healthy for any community.
- Vermont Futures, the research arm of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, in July 2023 reported on the positive, direct connection between growth and diversity. See our website, vtdeclarationofinclusion.org.
- Lastly, there is power when any entity, including Vermont towns, stand together. There is a reason why businesses, and even government and not for profit organizations, advertise and promote their strengths. As a truly unique state, Vermont has a truly unique and powerful opportunity to be seen as…. and reap the benefits of being…. a welcoming state.
Reasons to Adopt
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