We Have a Winner! 2023 Business Plan Competition Wraps Up
On September 14th, the panel of judges convened following the review of pitches delivered by the three finalists in the Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) Business Plan Competition, at Next Stage in Putney VT.
Finalists had 10 minutes for a final pitch at Next Stage Arts in Putney on Sept. 14, followed by five minutes of questions from judges.
There were three finalists, all business located in Windham county.
Super Snowflake, a print shop in Wilmington VT, is creating a line of prints on US made 100% organic cotton apparel. Founder Nicole Leonard has many years of experience in the fashion and retail sector. She brings that expertise to the creation of the Super Snowflake brand.
Vermont Vines on the River is a vineyard and winery in Rockingham VT. For 10 years Stacy and Chuck Harriman have been planting, growing, and harvesting grapes to produce their southern Vermont wine.
This years winner is Wicked Clean Grooming of Guilford VT, owned by Katie Stalder. “It’s just an overwhelming need and we can do it with another groomer in town,” said Katie who hopes that another local business will go into grooming as planned. Grooming can become a medical issue for many animals, Stalder said, because pet owners don’t have time to do it or the animal is unwilling to let the owner groom them.
The Business Plan Competition is funded through the Windham County Economic Development Program, which seeks to create employment opportunities offering higher wages and to bring dollars into the region’s economy. The program utilizes funds gained through a settlement between the state and Entergy, former owner of the nuclear plant Vermont Yankee being decommissioned in Vernon.
“The underlying objective of the competition is for entrepreneurs to advance the goals of WCEDP at a micro level. Through that process, local businesses are building a resilient regional economy,” said Natty Hussey of BDCC who ran this year’s competition.
The Brattleboro Reformer along with Peak Radio were sponsors of the competition. Hatch Space sponsored the physical “Check” awarded to the winner.
To read more about Wicked Clean Grooming and the Competition, check it out the September 25th article in the Brattleboro Reformer.
Windham County Economic Development Program
The WCEDP promotes economic development in Windham County. WCEDP provides funds to stimulate job creation through business start-up, expansion, or relocation. It encourages entrepreneurial activity, and invests in initiatives to strengthen the economic development infrastructure in order to ensure a strong foundation for transformational economic activity. WCEDP funds were secured through an agreement between the State of Vermont and Entergy Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant upon the plant closure announcement. The funds were intended to mitigate the negative economic impacts of the plant’s closure as outlined in the 2012 Vermont Yankee Task Force Report and the 2014 Windham Region S.M.A.R.T. CEDS. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/windham-co-economic-development-program/
