SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT — BOLD INNOVATION THAT POWERS THE FUTURE

THE CHALLENGE

South Burlington faced the opportunity to leverage its unique position as Vermont's innovation hub while managing rapid growth and maintaining community character. With approximately 21,713 residents, a median household income 24% higher than the U.S. average, and 70% of residents aged 25+ holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the city possessed exceptional assets. However, South Burlington needed a strategic approach to anchor Vermont's Tech Hub designation, support its emerging sectors in aviation, life sciences, and chip manufacturing, and create sustainable innovation district development that would attract cutting-edge businesses while preserving the community's distinctive qualities.

THE CIVIC SOLUTION

CivicSol developed a comprehensive economic development strategy centered on "Bold Innovation That Powers the Future." Our approach included creating sector partnerships in aviation, life sciences, and chip manufacturing to drive workforce development and supply chain growth, collaborating with the University of Vermont and GlobalFoundries to elevate South Burlington's leadership in federal innovation efforts, and designing an Innovation District near the Airport to support electric aviation, clean-tech manufacturing, and applied R&D.

The strategy included supporting early-stage companies through a City Center innovation hub with public-private accelerator partnerships, developing target sector-focused attraction plans with refined RFI processes, and creating frameworks to prepare the city for quality growth with aligned processes and ready sites. Our work established South Burlington's identity as a climate-smart, innovation-aligned community ready to welcome investment and talent that drives future economic growth.

THE IMPACT

The strategy has positioned South Burlington as Vermont's premier innovation destination, building on its 8% population growth rate (twice the Vermont and U.S. average) and prime talent pool that is 5% larger than the national average. With its 18-minute median commute and strategic location, South Burlington is now equipped to attract high-value innovation industries while maintaining its quality of life advantages. This comprehensive approach demonstrates how communities can leverage higher education partnerships, federal innovation initiatives, and strategic infrastructure to build sustainable, high-growth economies.

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