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HELPFUL LINKS

This page offers a collection of helpful links curated by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) to support businesses, job seekers, and community members. Whether you’re looking for workforce development tools, funding resources, or local economic data, these links provide quick access to valuable regional and statewide information.

These resources are centered on providing businesses and entrepreneurs with the information required to successfully start and grow a business. For more information, please visit the BDCC’s Financing and Incentives and Development Services pages or contact us directly.

BDCC Technical Assistance Vendor RFQ
BDCC is seeking to expand and/or update our internal list of businesses and individuals whom we refer clients to for technical assistance expertise. BDCC’s list is primarily comprised of technical assistance expertise, priority is given to those entities located in Windham, Bennington and Windsor Counties.

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Request full list by emailing info@brattleborodevelopment.com. 

One-on-One Advising, Mentoring, & Lending 

  • Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) – Southeastern Vermont’s regional development corporation – small business advising, lending, and workforce programs, including the Workforce Center of Excellence.
  • The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) – No-cost, confidential one-on-one business advising at every stage, from pre-venture to mature, plus low-cost classes and workshops. Advisors are based throughout the state.
  • SCORE Vermont –  Free, volunteer-based one-on-one mentoring, with sessions by video, phone, or email. Chapters statewide, including Burlington, Montpelier, St. Albans, Middlebury, and Rutland.
  • Vermont Community Loan Fund – Flexible loans and technical assistance for Vermont small businesses and nonprofits that may not qualify for conventional bank financing. 
  • Vermont Small Business Administration (SBA) – The Vermont division of the federal Small Business Administration, active in lending and connecting businesses to lenders. Based in Montpelier, with partners including the Vermont Small Business Development Center. 

 

Business Groups for Specialized Audiences

  • Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) Vermont – New England’s Women’s Business Center, operated in partnership with U.S. Small Business Administration. Offers business advising, workshops, and networking for women entrepreneurs and creatives, plus scholarships widen access. 
  • Vermont Works for Women – Promotes economic justice by advancing gender equity, connecting women, girls, and gender-expansive youth to career and entrepreneurship pathways – including in the trades and technical fields. 
  • Vermont Professionals of Color Network (VT POC) – A statewide network for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals and entrepreneurs, offering no-cost business coaching, a directory of BIPOC-owned businesses, and networking and career-development events under contract with the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development.
  • Vermont Releaf Collective (transitioning to Liberation Ecosystem) – A network by and for BIPOC Vermonters working in land, environment, agriculture, and food systems – community-building, resource-sharing, and support for BIPOC farmers, food entrepreneurs, and land stewards. 
  • Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship – Based in Keene, NH, and serving Monadnock region, including nearby Southern Vermont communities. Coworking space, cohort programs, workshops, and one-on-one coaching for entrepreneurs at every stage. 

 

General & Cross Sector Business Support 

  • The Vermont APEX Accelerator – Provides one-on-one counseling, market research, training, and help identifying government buyers, with a mission to increase the number of federal contracts awarded to Vermont businesses (particularly small businesses). APEX can help businesses navigate complex processes such as government paperwork. 
  • ThinkVermont – The state’s business-growth website, with access to available resources and lending programs, plus information for workers considering a move to Vermont
  • Vermont Secretary of State Business Start-Up Guide – A step-by-step checklist from the Secretary of State’s office covering what’s required to start a business in Vermont, with links to the relevant forms. The broader Vermont Secretary of State website is also a helpful resource. 
  • Vermont Business Assistance Network (VBAN) – Connects businesses to one another and helps with finding customers, vendors, and suppliers – a pipeline businesses can use to search for contacts, market themselves, and list products and services. 
  • Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR)– A statewide business association that fosters a business ethic of social responsibility in Vermont through sustainable economic development, education, and public influence. 
  • Vermont Business Roundtable (VBR) – A nonprofit, public-interest organization of more than 100 CEOs of Vermont employers, dedicated to thoughtful deliberative analysis of public policy issues affecting Vermont. 
  • Vermont Business Magazine Lists – Published lists covering Vermont food producers, the state’s largest employers, VT tech companies, active VT trade names, and more. Vermont Business Magazine itself is a useful ongoing source of Vermont business news.

 

Industry Specialized Resources

  • Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) – Advises Vermont manufacturers with consulting, coaching, direct implementation support, and training and education programs for leaders and workers. 
  • Alliance for Vermont Communities (AVC) – Works to protect forests, farms, and communities in central and southern Vermont, and to promote responsible development that sustains Vermont’s lands and communities long-term.
  • Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) – A nonprofit fostering sustainable development in Vermont by growing the state’s economy in ways that support the well-being of Vermont’s people, communities, and environment. 
  • Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative – A state program supporting entrepreneuers in Vermont’s working lands economy with technical and financial assistance so growing businesses have room to thrive. 
  • Intervale Center – A Burlington-based nonprofit offering free, one-on-one business planning and coaching to Vermont farm and food businesses at any stage – from a first farm business idea through ownership succession. Services include financial planning, land-access support (including Vermont Land Link, a statewide farmland-matching service) and succession planning; a dedicated Farm Business Specialist now serves Southern Vermont, based in Chester. 

Economic Development Resources for Municipalities:

  • The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) is the go-to resource for information and programs surrounding both economic and community development. The ACCD’s downtown program is particularly relevant for municipalities; for more information, contact the ACCD’s downtown program coordinator Gary Holloway at 802-828-3220.
  • The Vermont Attorney General’s office and Vermont Secretary of State office each provide businesses with information about the steps required to start a business in the state of Vermont. They are the primary ways in which businesses interact with the state and are a good place to forward interested constituents.
  • The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Vermont’s municipal governments. To support this mission, the VLCT employs a team of professionals with expertise in areas such as municipal law, public administration, human resources, and more. 
  • The US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program is a strong resource for towns and runs over 50 financial assistance programs for municipalities.
  • The Vermont Association of Planning and Development Agencies (VAPDA) is devoted to communal planning and seeks to strengthen the capabilities of local governments. Their goals are accomplished through a combination of environmental and economic planning strategies which is planned to serve the needs of residents.
  • The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation is a division of the Department of Natural Resources and offers a variety of programs to municipalities, including certain finance based programs.
  • The Vermont Planners Association (VPA) is a statewide, non-profit, membership-based organization of planners and developers. VPA can be a useful resource for municipalities in terms of connecting to planning and development resources. Specifically, VPA can help your municipality connect to professional and citizen planners, landscape architects, engineers, housing and economic development specialists, developers, and more.
  • The Vermont State Website can be useful for municipalities in terms of worker attraction, as it provides information about moving to Vermont and promotes the Vermont lifestyle.
  • The Windham Regional Commission (WRC) is a helpful resource for municipalities in terms of providing a link between local, state, and federal government. The WRC focuses on assisting towns on planning and zoning, regional plans, transportation, community development, and more. Every tow in Windham County has two representatives on the WRC (with the exception of Somerset, whose commissioner is appointed by the Governor).

 

Town Level Economic Development Resources:

  • The Vermont Downtown Designation Program is a community development program run through the Vermont ACCD that provides “financial incentives, training and technical assistance supporting local efforts to restore historic buildings, improve housing, design walkable communities and encourage economic development by incentivizing public and private investments”.
  • The Building Communities Grants Program is designed to provide financial assistance to projects that “help communities preserve important historic buildings and enhance community facilities.” This programs consists of five individual grants and is designed for municipalities and non-profits.
  • The Vermont Downtown Development Program is an affiliate of the National Main Street Center and exists to provide support to towns looking to revitalize their downtown, primarily through courses and technical assistance.
  • The Vermont Planning Advance is a program run through the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation that provides financial assistance to towns looking to create, improve, or study their town’s waste and general water systems. Repayment is only obligated for projects that are completed.
  • The ACCD also offers a wide variety of grants and funding opportunities for community development that are available to towns.

A partial list of financing and incentive opportunities available to businesses and entrepreneurs in Vermont.

Please reach out to the BDCC directly for more information and help matching your goals with specific programs at the local, regional, state and federal level. BDCC works closely with these programs to facilitate access for Windham businesses and employers.

The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program is one of the most high impact project funding tools available for development in Vermont. It looks to spur investment for economic development in rural and low income communities by providing a tax credit on investment in these communities. Vermont NMTCs are granted through Vermont Rural Ventures (VRV).

The BDCC has been involved in three local NMTC projects including the Brooks House renovation, G.S. Precision manufacturing expansion, and Chroma Technology Corp. expansion. For complete project descriptions visit BDCC’s Development Services page.

For more information on the NMTC program, contact Adam Grinold at agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com

The Southern Vermont Microentrepreneur Loan (MELP) has been established to provide financing for businesses, that are not able to obtain conventional financing, located in Windham and Bennington counties. Eligible uses include:

  • Working capital;
  • The purchase of furniture, fixtures, supplies, inventory or equipment;
  • Debt refinancing;
  • Business acquisitions; and
  • The purchase or lease of real estate that is already improved and will be used for the location of the subject business only, provided no demolition or construction will be accomplished with program funding. Neither interior decorating, nor the affixing of chattel to walls, floors, or ceilings are considered

This program is accompanied with a technical assistance grant that can help to prepare a business to access the program as well as accompany any distributed loan. These funds require a credit elsewhere check, so for projects that are not ready for traditional lending, this program can provide access to capital, as well as, the technical assistance to ensure they will be able to access traditional financing in the future.

For more information about MELP contact Dani Delaini, ddelaini@brattleborodevelopment.com

The Vermont Economic Development Authority, VEDA, is a lending agency for Vermont businesses. Since 1974, VEDA has provided over $2.07 billion in financial assistance to Vermont businesses and farms in order to foster job growth and economic growth. Visit VEDA’s website to learn more about low-cost lending programs for businesses of all sizes. VEDA can offer some grant support, cash at closing; funding throughout the duration of project construction and implementation.

For more information about VEDA, contact Adam Grinold at agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com

VEGI, the Vermont Employment Growth Initiative, is a program that provides incentives for new economic activity. The Program can provide a cash payment to businesses based on new revenue generated through job and payroll expansion and capital investments. For more information about how the VEGI can help your business expand, check out our Knowledge Bites webinar on this subject!

For more information about VEGI, contact Adam Grinold at agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com

The Windham County Economic Development Program, WCEDP, promotes economic development in Windham County.The Windham County Economic Development Program’s revolving loan and grant fund was established to help offset the region’s loss of Entergy’s Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Each project needs to meet the program’s objectives and have economic impacts that align with the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The program’s funds are made available through direct low-interest loans administered by VEDA, and competitive grants to organizations through an application process facilitated by the BDCC. Lending is authorized through the BDCC/ACCD/VEDA.

For more information about WCEDP funds, contact Dani Delaini, ddelaini@brattleborodevelopment.com

HubZone: The HubZone program is federally authorized through the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and provides small businesses in certain rural regions with preferential access to federal contracts. As a designated HubZone region, Windham County can provide access to these contracts for local small businesses if they are eligible. Visit the HubZone site to read more about eligibility and the benefits that the HubZone program can provide. To learn more on how to apply, and how to receive further assistance, check out our Knowledge Bites webinar on this subject!

For more information about the HubZone program, contact Adam Grinold at agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com

The Vermont Community Development Program (VCDP) assists communities on a competitive basis by providing financial and technical assistance to identify and address local needs in the areas of housing, economic development, public facilities, public services, and handicapped accessibility modifications. The VCDP authorizes federal Community Development Block Grants (CBDG) for eligible projects. Authorized through the ACCD/HUD.

For more information about the VCDP, contact Adam Grinold at agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com

The Vermont Training Program (VTP) partners with employers and training providers to train Vermont’s employees for the jobs of tomorrow. VTP provides workforce grants for a wide range of training needs including pre-employment training, training for new hires and incumbent workers. Training can either be on-site or through a training provider/vendor. Grants may cover up to 50% of the training cost. For more information about whether you qualify for the VTP and how to apply for funding if so, check out our Knowledge Bites webinar on this subject! Grants  are authorized through the ACCD.

For more information about the VTP, contact Neil Goldberg, ngoldberg@brattleborodevelopment.com

Additional Local, State and Specialty Incentives and Agencies:

Act 77 Green Mountain Power Incentive: This pilot program is built to provide incentives for moving from petroleum to electric and is authorized through Green Mountain Power.

Town Revolving Loan Funds: Some towns in the region have a revolving loan fund, which is used as a loan that is given to businesses with potential to increase employment and benefit the town. Revolving loan funds are not grants and must be re-paid in full; they are authorized by the town.

ExporTech: 12 week, state authorized program that helps manufacturers by providing a blueprint for how to access global markets and increase exports. The program connects businesses with international business experts in the region to help those businesses develop a plan for increasing export growth and then start executing that plan.

Green Mountain Power Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP): Program to reduce the cost of energy for businesses that commit to, and show evidence of, energy use reduction over time. Rate discounts of up to 10% over a five-year period and are granted by Green Mountain Power.

Vermont R&D Credit: Tax credit authorized by the state of Vermont that provides an R&D tax credit (for businesses that have received a federal R&D tax credit) for eligible expenditures made in Vermont. This state credit is worth up to 27% of the federal tax credit for research and development.

State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP): Grant given to the state of Vermont by the US Small Business Administration with a goal of support international engagement of Vermont businesses, through trade missions, trade shows and export education.  Grants are awarded through the state Agency of Commerce and Community Development, which states that, “Vermont’s focus is relationship development and export planning—diversifying our businesses to include global markets benefits companies and their employees.”

Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) Bonds: Tax-exempt revenue bond program; bonds are granted by VEDA to manufacturers undertaking qualifying projects in excess of $1 million. The maximum amount of tax-exempt bonds that can be issued to a single project is $10 million.

Vermont Brownfields Revitalization Fund: Program from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources designed to encourage projects that transform underdeveloped properties in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner. Developers are provided with tools related to the limitation of environmental liability, technical assistance, and financial assistance in order to complete projects. In Windham County, Brownfields resources are distributed by the Windham Regional Commission.

For more information about any of these specialized opportunities, contact agrinold@brattleborodevelopment.com

Non-profits are critical partners in the region’s community and economic development. Below, you’ll find select resources and references based on recent BDCC’s Southern Vermont Economy Project programming where our focus is to bring intensive in-person training and support to local organizations. You will find additional resources through organizations listed below, starting with Common Good Vermont.

 

Featured Resources from Dave Chase
Explore a selection of insightful documents and videos generously shared by consultant Dave Chase, focused on nonprofit board development and organizational leadership.

Key Documents and Videos

Additional Resources: Websites, Programs & Workshops

Consultants & Facilitators (Primarily VT-Based)

These professionals have been recommended by our network. For a broader list, visit Common Good Vermont’s Consultant Directory, which allows you to search by expertise.

Board/Organization Development:

  • Katherine Sims – Coaching, training, and meeting facilitation for Vermont nonprofits.

  • Stephanie Lahar – Based in Montpelier; supports board structure, governance, and organizational development.

  • Dave Chase – Consultant with nearly 20 years of experience across nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors. Available remotely or in-person from Maine.

  • Jane Van Buren (Noonmark) – Strategic planning, board development, and executive search with diverse Vermont-based clientele.

  • Structural Integrity – Specializes in operations and systems that support organizational growth and mission alignment.

Leadership & Staff Development:

  • Carrie Williams Howe – Expert in designing effective meetings and strategies for organizational effectiveness, with a focus on developing group leadership skills.

  • Amanda Silver (NH) – Offers coaching and support for leadership development and organizational culture transformation.

The BDCC & SeVEDS Annual Reports provide an overview of the BDCC’s work in the previous fiscal year. The annual report is largely focused on Windham county data and looks to quantify the BDCC & SeVEDS’s impact on the region. The annual report also looks at each of the BDCC’s programs to assess their impact on the community. Previous annual reports can be found at the same link.

VIEW ANNUAL REPORTS

BDCC is Southeastern Vermont’s private, nonprofit, rural Economic Development Organization that serves as a catalyst for economic success so the people, businesses, and communities here can thrive.

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