2023 was a busy year for team BBA. Our advocacy efforts continued to focus on Burlington’s two major crises most impacting your business: public safety and housing. We also brought back several key member events for the first time since the pandemic and continued to serve as a voice for Burlington’s business community at city hall and in the public discourse.
The BBA’s mission is to enhance and promote the economic vitality of Burlington, Vermont, and to assure that the City of Burlington continues as the cultural, social, political, educational, and economic center of northwestern Vermont. As we enter our 46th year as a non-profit, non-political membership organization, the support of our members is more critical than ever. We are stronger together. If you’re interested in being a part of our efforts to build a better Burlington, please consider joining us as a member.
Public Safety
- BBA joined a coalition opposing the control board ballot question and released an information sheet on the controversial ballot question
- BBA joined a coalition of current and former city councilors of all parties, UVMMC and other service providers, labor leaders, the firefighters union, and more to speak out against the question on the Town Meeting Day Ballot that would have been yet another experiment with Burlington’s Public Safety.
- The ballot question failed to pass, with 63% voting NO.
- 2 WhatsApp Group Chats were created and promoted to support retail and nightlife worker safety
- Chat groups allow downtown workers to communicate in real-time, share resources, and ask for help when needed
- BBA Talks Nightlife Safety in NYC
Kelly and Colin attended RHI’s Sociable City Summit and spoke on Keeping Downtown Safe After Defunding the Police.
- New De-escalation Training Pilot
- BBA partnered with the UVM Medical Center, Department of Corrections, and Howard Center to offer members a new de-escalation training program. We continue to fine-tune this training and will bring forward multiple training opportunities for members in 2024.
- Graffiti to Art
We’re turning graffiti into art along with Arts So Wonderful and property owners. Take a look up at the north side of Honey Road’s roof to see our first mural with more to come in 2024.
- Successfully advocated for additional public safety resources in $100k downtown support funds.
- BBA and worked with city councilors to ensure funds were approved in time for the holidays and in line with what downtown businesses most wanted
Housing
- BBA was a critical advocate in the creation of the South End Innovation District
- The City Council voted in July to approve the South End Innovation District zoning district. This will transform surface parking lots into a live/work/play neighborhood right off Pine Street in South End, which could lead to the creation of up to 1,100 new homes.
BBA joined Mayor Weinberger and South End stakeholders at a press conference to speak in support of the zoning change. It also collected the signatures of 20 area businesses and over 60 South End workers in a letter of support and hosted a Housing Happy Hour in partnership with HULA to get the word out about this critical housing initiative.
Member Events
- BBA hosted our first major social event since the pandemic at J Skis in January
Thanks to the generous support of J Skis, we raffled off a pair of J Skis, and attendees raised over $750 for Elmwood Community Shelter supplies
- Waterfront Action Group’s ‘FAM Tour’
BBA’s Waterfront Familiarization Tour returned for the first time since 2019 aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III. We heard from dozens of waterfront members on their plans for the upcoming season and enjoyed the gorgeous spring day on the lake.
- Brews with the BBA series
In partnership with Halvorson’s, we hosted three casual networking “Brews with the BBA” events to bring members together and spread the word about our advocacy work. Thanks to Switchback and Fiddlehead, and in collaboration with Halvorson’s Courtyard Music series, attendees helped raise hundreds of dollars for both the Howard Center Street Outreach Team and the Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund.
- Breakfast with the Board
- Our special Breakfast with the Board Event returned in 2023 for Platinum and Silver Members. Guests got to hear from the Vermont Chamber discussing their 2024 Legislative Agenda and the critical connection between the economic vitality of Burlington and the legislative work of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.
The Voice of Business in Burlington
BBA spoke with dozens of print, TV, and radio media outlets in 2023. We’re always working to advocate for Burlington’s economic vitality and our members in the community conversation.
- Kelly has a monthly, hour-long segment on WVMT’s The Morning Drive and is a frequent guest host of the program
- BBA attended and spoke at dozens of City Council and public meetings, advocating for more housing, public safety, and Burlington’s economic vitality.
Colin speaking at a City Council meeting in support of VTANG lease extensions at Leahy BTV
Our members enable us to advocate on their behalf and be a voice for Burlington’s economic vitality. If you value this work consider supporting the BBA through the following: