Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce survey shows confidence in region

Originally published in the Bennington Banner (Monday, August 7 2023)

BENNINGTON – Members of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce are confident that the region is a good place to do business, and report financial conditions as good or better than the year before the COVID pandemic, according to the results of a member survey conducted by the Chamber last month.

According to the survey results, 94 percent of respondents said Southern Vermont is a good place to have a business or organization. Chamber Executive Director Matt Harrington attributed the high approval rating to a favorable business environment, supportive communities, the region’s natural beauty and attractions, and various resources available to help businesses thrive.

Among members surveyed, 45.4 percent reported financial performance had improved over 2019, and another 25.7 percent said their performance was about the same as that pre-pandemic year, the chamber announced. Another 18.2 percent said their business's financial performance was worse compared to 2019.

The survey was conducted online in mid-July, and got responses from 73 of the Chamber’s 400 members, or 18.25 percent, Harrington said.

A year ago, when asked the same question by the Chamber, 45 percent of members indicated their business was doing better, 21 percent indicated that it was doing worse, 26 percent indicated it was doing the same, and 9 percent indicated they weren't in business in 2019.

The survey asked for comparisons between current conditions and 2019 because that was the last year before the pandemic, he explained.

“If you’re feeling better about your business, that's a rough indication you’re more optimistic than you were in 2019 – and also that your business has gone through an amazing amount of adversity,” he said.

The purpose of the survey, Harrington said, is to provide a comparison point between perceptions and data showing members’ degree of confidence…