Administration proposes merger of SEDO, Business & Workforce Development and Church Street Marketplace; highlights housing and workforce initiatives
May 28, 2025 | Burlington City, Chittenden County, Vermont
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Cara (new CEDO director) and Samantha (BWD assistant director) presented a combined Community and Economic Development Office (CEDO) budget proposal on May 28 that folds the Church Street Marketplace, Business & Workforce Development and aspects of SEDO into a single organizational structure for FY26.
What the proposal includes: The draft organizational chart combines marketplace event management, business and workforce development, housing team functions and community justice programming. The presenters said the merger is in draft form and will be refined; they highlighted anticipated cost savings from Modern Gov implementation and departmental consolidation, and said seven positions were eliminated in the service inventory.
Workforce and economic programs: The presentation emphasized workforce training tied to infrastructure projects — chiefly a three‑year, $1.5 million RAISE grant for training 200 people in weatherization, HVAC and heat pump installation to support climate goals and increase local capacity. The office also reported a revolving loan fund that is Sharia‑compliant with 29 borrowers and a 98% repayment rate, 65 new businesses supported, and a new cart‑vendor incubation pilot.
Housing and shelter work: Presenters described SEDO’s role in homelessness response — staffing the extreme cold weather shelter at the Miller Center for over 200 different individuals and administering the Elmwood Community Shelter — and noted the former VFW redevelopment will create 38 permanently affordable units. They also flagged a federal‑funding risk if CDBG/HOME cutbacks occur at the federal level; however, they noted Burlington’s FY26 CDBG award will be available for next year’s work.
Why it matters: The merger aims to centralize economic and housing strategy and create synergies across business outreach, event programming (80,000 visitors to marketplace events reported) and housing programs. Councilors asked for more clarity on before/after org charts, title changes, and how reassigned positions will be classified; presenters promised more detailed materials ahead of Monday’s work session.
Discussion vs. decision: No formal vote occurred; the presentation was informational and the administration intends follow‑up with a work session and more detailed staffing and organizational charts.
What the proposal includes: The draft organizational chart combines marketplace event management, business and workforce development, housing team functions and community justice programming. The presenters said the merger is in draft form and will be refined; they highlighted anticipated cost savings from Modern Gov implementation and departmental consolidation, and said seven positions were eliminated in the service inventory.
Workforce and economic programs: The presentation emphasized workforce training tied to infrastructure projects — chiefly a three‑year, $1.5 million RAISE grant for training 200 people in weatherization, HVAC and heat pump installation to support climate goals and increase local capacity. The office also reported a revolving loan fund that is Sharia‑compliant with 29 borrowers and a 98% repayment rate, 65 new businesses supported, and a new cart‑vendor incubation pilot.
Housing and shelter work: Presenters described SEDO’s role in homelessness response — staffing the extreme cold weather shelter at the Miller Center for over 200 different individuals and administering the Elmwood Community Shelter — and noted the former VFW redevelopment will create 38 permanently affordable units. They also flagged a federal‑funding risk if CDBG/HOME cutbacks occur at the federal level; however, they noted Burlington’s FY26 CDBG award will be available for next year’s work.
Why it matters: The merger aims to centralize economic and housing strategy and create synergies across business outreach, event programming (80,000 visitors to marketplace events reported) and housing programs. Councilors asked for more clarity on before/after org charts, title changes, and how reassigned positions will be classified; presenters promised more detailed materials ahead of Monday’s work session.
Discussion vs. decision: No formal vote occurred; the presentation was informational and the administration intends follow‑up with a work session and more detailed staffing and organizational charts.
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