S
tephanie Clarke

    Burlington, VT – Vermont is at a pivotal crossroads, with housing, infrastructure, and growth decisions shaping communities for decades. On October 30, over 300 professionals from development, business, and policy will convene at Hotel Champlain for the 11th Annual Vermont Development Conference (VDC), hosted by White + Burke Real Estate Advisors.

    **Theme: “State at a Crossroads”**

    The one‑day event brings leaders in real estate, planning, construction, finance, energy, law, and government together for candid debate, collaborative dialogue, and actionable ideas. Topics range from the escalating housing crisis to the urgent need for sustainable infrastructure investment.

    **Key Sessions**

    - **Housing at the Breaking Point** – Panelists examine Vermont’s severe housing shortage and the potential of the new $2 billion Community and Housing Infrastructure Program (CHIP) to transform development through public‑private collaboration.

    - **Financing Vermont’s Future** – Toby Rittner, president and CEO of the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), will discuss tools such as tax credits and opportunity zones that can unlock investment in housing, infrastructure, and community revitalization.

    - **Debating Vermont’s Growth Path** – Thought leaders from the University of Vermont, the Vermont Futures Project, and state agencies will lead a candid discussion on long‑term growth vision and necessary policies.

    **Practical Strategies for Developers**

    Hands‑on sessions cover:

    - Cost‑saving tactics amid global supply challenges and tariffs

    - Case studies from projects like Weidmann Electrical’s expansion and The Orchards Resort

    - Town‑led development models that accelerate permitting and support smart growth

    - Updates on permitting and land‑use law, plus innovative approaches such as pre‑approved housing designs and off‑site construction

    **Fostering Real Conversations**

    “Vermont is at a crossroads,” says Stephanie Clarke, vice president of White + Burke. “We want this conference to go beyond presentations and echo chambers. Our goal is to spark genuine debate and conversations that move us toward real solutions.”

    **Event Details**

    - **Date:** Thursday, October 30, 2025

    - **Time:** 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    - **Location:** Hotel Champlain, 60 Battery Street, Burlington, VT

    - **Audience:** Developers, planners, architects, engineers, lenders, attorneys, policymakers, and community leaders

    - **Tickets:** $195 – register at whiteandburke.com/events/vt-development-conference

    Join the conversation that will shape Vermont’s future.