(Host) Lawrence Miller has a track record of creating jobs at Otter Creek Brewing and Danforth Pewter.
But now, as the incoming commerce secretary in Peter Shumlin’s administration, he says his job is making it possible for other businesses to do the same thing.
VPR’s Samantha Fields has more.
(Fields) When Shumlin introduced Lawrence Miller as his choice for Commerce Secretary a few weeks ago, he highlighted Miller’s business background and experience creating jobs as strong qualifications:
(Shumlin) "He came to Vermont with a dream. It was to create jobs, to create a product with a Vermont brand and make it successful. He’s done it all. He took an idea and turned it into an extraordinary financial success. I’ve often said that if we want to create jobs in Vermont, we better hire jobs creators. Lawrence is one of them."
(Fields) But as Miller puts it, his new role as Commerce Secretary will be more about talking, and less about actually creating jobs.
(Miller) "We don’t create the jobs, we’re setting the table for a potluck. We’re not actually doing any of the cooking. It’s what people bring to the table that will set the meal for all of us."
(Fields) Miller’s goal as head of Commerce is to collaborate with other state agencies, outside organizations and businesses to create new economic opportunities.
(Miller) "Our vision is an environmentally and economically healthy place to work."
(Fields) Miller ran Otter Creek Brewing and Danforth Pewter, and says in his experience Vermont is a great place to start and run a business.
Miller says that Vermont’s permitting process has a bad reputation, but for the most part, it’s a smooth and effective process.
He calls Vermont’s tax policy "measured and appropriate" … but points out that taxes aren’t the first thing most businesses are concerned about.
(Miller) "There are other reasons, more important reasons, why an employer chooses to locate somewhere. The number one reason is the workforce. The number two reason is access to market. The other factors are nice-to-haves."
(Fields) And while Miller will be looking at the state’s tax policy, his priority will be those other important factors – things like encouraging new business start-ups, identifying growth prospects for businesses, and finding new agricultural opportunities in Vermont.
For VPR News, I’m Samantha Fields.