GBIC - Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation
The Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center is proud to provide Vermont innovators with a new tool: the Vermont Innovation Marketplace. The innovation marketplace is a service that allows for "open innovation" with the goal of accurately and efficiently connecting buyers and sellers in the innovation marketplace.
The greater Burlington region is the largest economic driver in Vermont, yet retains the lifestyle and community benefits that draw so many people to our state. Greater Burlington is the home of a number of nationally recognized employers; from the high-tech of IBM to the cultural icon of Burton, Chittenden County blends family-friendly social atmosphere with a vibrant entertainment culture – all on a backdrop between our Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. What this has meant is that while Burlington is an attractive location for employers due to close access to Boston, Montreal and the Burlington Airport, employees have continued to view the greater Burlington area as a premier place to raise a family and enjoy some of the country’s best outdoor activities.
| June 2009 | Burlington's Hill Section named one of ten "Best Old House Neighborhoods 2009: Northeast" by ThisOldHouse.com. The designation was given because the Hill Section's "mid-19th-century housing stock has kept its architectural character and charm," making it one of the "ten best places to buy an old house in the Northeast, from Delaware to Maine." |
| March 2009 | Recognized with the runner-up 2009 City Cultural Diversity Award by the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials and National League of Cities. The award seeks to promote and honor community leadership in developing creative and effective programs designed to improve and advance cultural diversity. |
| November 2008 | Designated the "Healthiest City in the USA" by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Burlington ranked highest in exercise, and among the lowest in obesity, diabetes and other indicators of ill health. |
| November 2008 | Burlington Area deemed one of six "Safe Havens in Real Estate" nationwide according to a review of housing data conducted by Kiplinger.com and published on-line on Yahoo! Real Estate. |
| October 2008 | The Church Street Marketplace outdoor pedestrian mall designated as one of ten "Great Public Spaces for 2008" through the American Planning Association's Great Places in America program. The APA "singled out the Church Street Marketplace because of its inclusive and careful planning and design process, historic buildings, thriving retail trade, carefully maintained streets and walkways, and strong community support." |
| October 2008 | Named one of America's "Prettiest Towns" in a listing published by the travel website Forbestraveler.com. Burlington was third among the 20 places profiled. |
| May 2008 | Given "Level 5" award (highest possible level) by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability for efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (one of two ICLEI member cities to receive this award) |
| March 2008 | Named as the "Best Walking City" in Vermont and one of the "Top Walking Cities" (ranked #42) in the U.S. by Prevention Magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association. |
| February / March 2008 | Named one of "America's Greenest Cities" by Organic Gardening Magazine (ranked second among cities with less than 150,000 residents). |
| August 2007 | Ranked among "Best Towns" 2007 by Outside Magazine |
| September 2007 | Ranked #1 in a regional study of downtowns commissioned by the Rues Principales Vieux-Saint-Jean (compared to 16 other downtowns in Quebec) |
| May 2007 | Ranked among "Top Ten Greenest Cities" by real estate service, Move.com. |
| May 2007 | "Tree City USA" award by National Arbor Day Foundation for 13th year |
| April 2007 | Top 25 "Small Cities and Towns" Arts destinations by readers of American Style Magazine |
| April 2007 | Ranked #5 among "Top Ten Places to Retire Young" by Money Magazine |
| March 2007 | Ranked Burlington metropolitan area as "Greenest City" in the country in survey of 379 metropolitan areas nationwide. Based on air and watershed quality, mass transit use, power use, and number of organic producers and farmers' markets. |
| February 2007 | Ranked 2nd out of 72 cities (50 largest cities in the country plus largest cities in each state) nationwide by The Earth Day Network on its Urban Environment Report. |
| November 2006 | Ranked 4th among "Top 10 cities for Beer Lovers" by ShermansTravels.com. |
| November 2006 | Ranked 5th in "America's Healthiest Places for Women," Self Magazine. |
| June 2006 | One of the "Top 25 Cities for Art" in the small cities and towns category, American Style Magazine. |
| July / August 2006 | Burlington's Five Sisters neighborhood on the list of "Top Cottage Communities," Cottage Living Magazine. |
| April 2006 | Burlington named the "Best of the Best" places to live (top 5 of their "50 Best Places to Live," Men's Journal Magazine. |
| 2006 | The Top 10 Greenest Cities, homestore.com (AOL Real Estate) |
| November 2005 | One of "50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live," by author Gregory Kompes. |
| June 2005 | Burlington was number 12 among the top 25 small cities in American Style Magazine's "Top Arts Destinations" for 2005. |
| 2005 | Ranked as the "third-funkiest city in the world" by British Airways' magazine Highlife. |
| 2005 | Economy.com ranked Burlington #1 in the U.S. on its index of business vitality. |
| 2005 | One of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations, The National Trust for Historic Preservation. |
| 2005 | No.3 Best State for Healthy Kids, Child Magazine. |
| November 2004 | No.1 Best State for Women, Institute for Women's Policy Research. |
| November 2004 | No.3 Healthiest State, United Health Foundation, (see full report titled "America's Health: State Health Rankings" at www.unitedhealthfoundation.org). |
| June 2004 | No.6 in the World for Destination Stewardship & Sustainable Tourism Initiative, National Geographic Magazine. |
| May 2004 | "One of the 10 Best Small Cities in America," Men's Journal Magazine. |
| April 2004 | Burlington is one of five U.S. cities to receive Delicious Living Magazine's "Impressive City Award" for its "exceptional efforts toward sustainable living." |
| March 2004 | "Top 25 Small Cities for Doing Business in America" (job bases up to 150,000). No. 7 Best Small Cities to Do Business. Inc Magazine. |
| 2004 | US Conference of Mayor's presents Burlington with a "City Livability Award." |
| 2004 | No.7 Most student-friendly U.S. City for populations under 1 million, Collegia Magazine. |
| 2004 | No.2 Happiest and No.4 Healthiest Place to Live in the U.S., Self Magazine. |
| June 2003 | "One of the 5 Best Places to Live & Ride." Bike Magazine. |
| May 2003 | Ranked number 1 in Northeast, "Best Places to Live" (Metro 50,000 - 500,000). Men's Journal Magazine. |
| May 2003 | "One of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations," National Trust for Historic Preservation. |
| 2003 | "Best Overall Program: Population 25,000-50,000" from Sister Cities International for the Burlington-Bethlehem-Arad Sister City Relationship. |
| 2001-03, 2005 | Vermont is Nation's Healthiest State, Morgan Quitno Press. |
| October, 2002 | Ranked No. 4 for "Healthiest" and No. 2 for "Happiest" City for Women. Self Magazine. |
| April 2002 | One of the Top Ten Best Cities for: Economy (10): Jobs (1); Education (8); Child Care (2). Ladies Home Journal Magazine. |
| 2002 | International Association of Public Participation gave Burlington a "Core Value Award" for the Burlington Legacy Project. |
| 2002 | Burlington's Marathon, the Vermont City Marathon, was named top 20 best marathon events in the country. Runner's World Magazine. |
| 2002 | Sixth most artist-friendly alternative to N.Y. and L.A. according to Susan M. Brackney, author of "The Not-so-Lost Soul Companion," based on cost of living, unemployment rate, availability of affordable housing, projected economic grown, local flavor, charm, and the value placed on performing arts. |
For original listing, and to see more awards, go to: http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/mayor/burlington_accolades.php