ACEDC Announces New Staff
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2023
Contact: Fred Kenney, Executive Director, ACEDC
(802)777-8349 or fkenney@addisoncountyedc.org
MIDDLEBURY, VT – The Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) is pleased to announce the addition of Karen Duguay to fill our newly created Assistant Director position.
For ten years, Karen has been the Executive Director of the Better Middlebury Partnership (BMP), the entity responsible for building community, assisting downtown businesses, organizing events, and marketing Middlebury. Through her work at BMP, and in partnership with Neighbors Together, she guided the Middlebury downtown through the disruptions of a substantial rail and bridge infrastructure project and COVID-19, managing several grants that helped mitigate negative impacts, work for which she recently received the Buster Brush Citizen of the Year Award from the Addison County Chamber of Commerce.
Karen raised funds for and spearheaded the Kickstart Middlebury program to attract new businesses to Middlebury with an incentive and assistance package. She also led the creation of the Vermont Downtown Coalition and during the 2023 legislative session, Karen advocated with the Scott Administration and General Assembly to secure $800,000 in new funding to support the 24 Downtown Organizations throughout the state.
Prior to joining BMP, Karen served in a business development role at the Lake Champlain Waldorf School and as the Marketing and Public Affairs Manager at the Chittenden County Transportation Authority.
As ACEDC Assistant Director, Karen will lead several ongoing and new regional economic development initiatives, including serving as Business Navigator for the Small Business Technical Assistance Exchange, providing outreach and assistance to businesses, non-profits, and municipalities, undertaking grants research, application, and administration, advancing ACEDC’s exploration of a business incubator, assisting with management of the ACEDC Revolving Loan Fund, assisting with the development of a Regional Economic Development Strategy, and other duties as required.
“ACEDC and the region will benefit greatly from Karen’s experience and expertise,” stated Fred Kenney, ACEDC Executive Director. “Her knowledge of the region and the relationships she has developed will help advance our mission to create an entrepreneurial and innovative environment in Addison County.”
About Addison County Economic Development Corporation
The Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) is dedicated to helping businesses in all stages of growth retain and create good-paying jobs in Addison County. Organized to promote the common business and economic interests of commercial enterprises in Addison County, ACEDC strives to create an entrepreneurial and innovative environment that nurtures businesses to launch, grow, and thrive. For more information on ACEDC visit: www.addisoncountyedc.org
ACEDC activities are made possible, in part, by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. Loan programs are made possible by USDA/Rural Development. ACEDC is an equal opportunity service provider and lender, with all services and funds available on a non-discriminatory basis.
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