Brattleboro, VT — The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is proud to announce its role as a liaison partner in the newly funded Science and Technology Research Initiative for the Southern Vermont Economy (STRIVE), a transformative program supported by the National Science Foundation’s EPSCoR initiative. This milestone comes as BDCC welcomes Neil Goldberg to the team to help leverage this opportunity and strengthen investment deal flow across the region.
STRIVE is hosted by Landmark College, which serves as the lead institution for the program. Landmark is proud to be partnering with BDCC, Bennington College, and the Community College of Vermont (CCV) to ensure successful implementation. Together, these institutions form a regional collaborative network designed to build science and technology capacity while fueling economic development across Windham, Bennington, Rutland, and Windsor counties.
STRIVE brings together educational institutions, businesses, advocacy groups, economic developers, and local governments to create a more inclusive and transformative STEM ecosystem. BDCC, as the regional liaison, plays a key role in embedding within this network and unlocking new pathways for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Through STRIVE, BDCC is strategically positioned to identify promising business connections and STEM related ventures at an early stage and connect stakeholders with a continuum of support. This includes technical assistance, mentorship, and direct connections to capital providers.
“This partnership allows us to align our investment strategies with the region’s emerging talent and innovation,” said BDCC Executive Director Adam Grinold. “It’s a unique opportunity to surface high-potential, often overlooked ventures and bring them into our regional economic ecosystem.”
This early identification of STEM-focused businesses enhances regional opportunities to identify opportunities for growth and strategic collaboration and supports BDCC’s broader mission. Through vehicles like the Windham Investment fund, BDCC will continue to deploy capital into enterprises that position Southern Vermont as a competitive, innovation-driven economy.
To support this expansion, BDCC is excited to introduce Neil Goldberg, who will be deeply involved in executing the STRIVE liaison role. A native of Southern Vermont, Neil brings rich, cross-sector experience in hospitality, real estate, and consumer packaged goods, giving him valuable insight into building and scaling diverse business ventures.
Neil holds both a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Community Development and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Vermont. “It’s a privilege to return to my home region and contribute to such meaningful work,” said Goldberg. “I’m passionate about building systems that uplift both people and places.”
Outside of work, Neil enjoys hiking with his dog, playing soccer, and preparing elaborate meals for friends and family.
With the STRIVE program underway and Neil’s leadership in place, BDCC is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Southern Vermont’s innovation economy.
About BDCC
The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is a private, nonprofit economic development organization with the mission of investing in the drivers of the regional economy so that people, businesses, and communities in Southern Vermont can thrive. BDCC serves as the State of Vermont’s certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) for the greater Windham County area, including Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, Winhall, and Weston. BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont. BDCC activity is made possible in part by a grant from the State of Vermont through the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. For more information, visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com.
About STRIVE
The Science and Technology Research Initiative for the Vermont Economy (STRIVE) program is a collaborative initiative funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to bolster STEM based engagement across southern Vermont. The program brings together important stakeholders to develop research capacity, broaden participation, and establish workforce training programs. STRIVE is led by a number of southern Vermont institutions; Landmark College, Bennington College, and the Community College of Vermont as well as the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC). STRIVE leverages federal resources to build out a southern Vermont innovation ecosystem that supports connections among local stakeholders including educational institutions, and businesses. BDCC serves as a stakeholder liaison and strategic coordinator, building partnerships across regional development corporations and the business community, facilitating statewide communication, and promoting inclusive access to research and innovation opportunities. This work ensures cohesive integration of regional efforts with the goals of Vermont’s Science & Technology Plan and NSF EPSCoR program. STRIVE is an important step in creating a STEM based culture that spans across Vermont.
