VT HCR134

Honors Cassandra Polhemus for her leadership as CEO of the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) from 2019 until her departure on June 30, 2025

Under her leadership, VEDA's lending commitments increased from $2.5 billion to $2.8 billion, and she oversaw the organization's transition to a paperless/hybrid work environment during the pandemic

Pandemic-era accomplishments include launching a $2.3 million farm operating loan program (2020), closing 1,040 Paycheck Protection Program loans worth $45.4 million (2020-2021), and distributing $19 million through the Short Term Forgivable Loan Program to over 200 small businesses and farmers (2023)

Accessed $58 million in American Rescue Plan funding to reauthorize the State Small Business Credit Initiative and created a new Forestry Loan Program in 2024

Polhemus received the federal Small Business Administration's Financial Services Champion Award in 2025; the Secretary of State is directed to send her a copy of this resolution