Improving science and math education, growing our economic impact, reducing tax burdens and providing professional career opportunities for our children right here in Vermont are just four of many reasons for this new Alliance.

Education: Vermont is ranked among the top ten states for student performance on national biology tests and in science and math test performance.[1]  This is good news but these high rankings belie a deeper problem that both educators and parents understand: The availability of excellent science and math education varies greatly around the state.  Too often what our kids learn about science and math are severely limited by school resources and the already heavy tax burdens in local communities.  The Alliance is joining with educators and parents to improve our science and math curriculums at all grade levels.  Our goal is to help reduce the disparities among schools and create more learning excitement and opportunities for our kids.

Economic impact: Employment data shows that bioscience firms and research provide nearly 1,100 direct jobs in Vermont.[2]  A study of bioscience employment showed that this sector supports another 3,000 indirect jobs in our state with job growth of seven times the annual rate in the Vermont economy as a whole.[3]  And these are good jobs that pay well above the state average.  There are over ninety bioscience companies in Vermont.  We need to help both existing and new firms to prosper.

Tax burdens: Jobs and higher salaries translate into tax revenues for Vermont.  Economic research showed that on average, each direct employee paid three times the state average in personal income taxes.2  Creating bioscience jobs benefits all Vermont tax payers.

Career opportunities for our kids:  Annual job growth of 7% combined with higher salaries creates outstanding bioscience career opportunities for our kids.  The more bioscience grows, the more opportunities our kids will have to pursue their career goals, earn a good living and stay here in Vermont to raise their own families. 

The Vermont Biosciences Alliance supports the growth of biosciences, medical technologies and life science business and research ventures in Vermont. Goals and activities will focus on developing networks, building connections and launching initiatives to support growing businesses, research and education. As Chris Coulter of Adaptive Engineering, LLC noted, “Because they are often FDA regulated or otherwise similar industries, Vermont’s medical, life science and bio-technology companies have similar needs and interests. By working together we can help meet the challenges of our industry while increasing business opportunities. The Vermont Biosciences Alliance can initiate and facilitate good business connections. For example, as a product design and development engineer, I have been able to incorporate components produced by coating specialists Chroma Technology in Rockingham into a medical instrument design from Stromatec, Inc. in South Burlington.”

Current Vermont Bioscience Alliance Activities: Since establishing a steering committee to develop this new organization in February, the Alliance has begun initiatives to support the growth of bioscience companies and research in Vermont.  Our major activities include:

Building awareness with VT’s Leaders: Meetings were held with Governor Douglas, Lt. Governor Dubie and Senate President Pro Tem Shumlin to highlight the growth potential of bioscience business and research.  The positive results produced by the biosciences in Vermont and other states continue to be discussed.  Examples of the positive results include Maine where over 600 new jobs were created in during the first five years of that state’s seed funds. Total economic benefits have been fifteen times the initial investments made by Maine in these seed funds.  Vermont’s leaders have been very receptive and supportive. Several will participate in the Alliance’s June 23^rd Kick-off event.

Legislative action: Two members of the Alliance’s steering committee testified before legislative committees in support of two important and successful initiatives: The Entrepreneur’s Seed Fund legislation and the Research and Development Tax Credit.  The seed fund will provide funds to support the launch and growth of innovative, high potential companies in Vermont.  This fund is expected to grow to $10 million within five years through significant private investment.  The R & D tax credit will encourage technology companies to expand research and development efforts right here in Vermont rather than taking these critical activities to states with more favorable tax laws.  When R & D succeeds in Vermont it creates more products and services that can be produced in Vermont.  And that creates more high paying jobs for Vermonters.

Alliance members also held meetings with individual legislators.  We provided information on how seed funds and other initiatives to support technology businesses could be implemented and managed effectively in Vermont. 

Industry and research survey: Listening to the perspectives of biosciences people is central to serving the bioscience business and research community in Vermont.  Currently the Alliance is surveying bioscience business people and researchers throughout the state. The survey goal is to learn much more about needs of this diverse economic sector that includes medical and life sciences, medical technologies, environmental engineering, and agriculture. Bioscience people are encouraged to visit the Alliance’s website and complete the survey (vtbiosciences.org). Results from the state-wide survey will be presented at the June 23^rd event.

Kick-off Event to developing a network: You can join with bioscience people from all over Vermont for the first large gathering offered by the Vermont Biosciences Alliance on June 23^rd.  There are many of us and it’s time to meet, support each other, and work together to build a dynamic, sustainable industry in Vermont!

Want to join with us?  For more information and to register for the June 23^rd event, just go to the Vermont Biosciences website: vtbiosciences.org.

Contact list of business people for interviews:

Jack Glaser, MBF Bioscience Inc.    This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it       (802) 288-9290

Bill Church, Green Mountain Antibodies Inc  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it       (802) 865-6230

Michael Stanley, Chroma Technology Corporation  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   (802) 428-2500