Young professionals rank region's pluses, minuses

Originally published in The Bennington Banner and written by reporter Patricia LeBoeuf - January 17, 2020

The Bennington area offers recreation and a small-town feel with proximity to urban centers, but it presents challenges in areas like salaries, upward mobility, lack of events, housing and daycare costs.

Those are some results of the Shires Young Professionals' inaugural survey of young professionals in the region, sent out to members of the group last month.

"We just have a fundamental belief that our actions and our creativity have to be driven by data and facts," Matt Harrington, executive director of the chamber, said of the impetus for the survey.

As the chamber works on serving the needs of young professionals, those involved want to make sure they're hearing from this group about what they want, and what's important to them, he said.

Shires Young Professionals, a part of the Bennington Regional Chamber of Commerce, aims to help young professionals and families create deep roots in Southwestern Vermont communities.

Survey respondents represented a wide range of careers and industries, including attractions, lodging, dinning, shopping, services, manufacturing, start-ups, nonprofits and professionals working from home.