Economic Development
Economic and Business Development Resources in the NEK
Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) – 802.334.5861 or 802.748.5181; www.nvda.net
Newport City Renaissance Corporation – 802.323.1056; www.discovernewportvt.com
Northern Community Investment Corporation (NCIC) – 802.748.5101; www.ncic.org
Northern Community Investment Corporation – www.ncic.org
Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism Association (marketing assistance for tourism businesses – 802.626.8511; www.travelthekingdom.com . Note – NEKTTA has links to the local Chambers of Commerce.
Business Start-up Assistance
Micro-Business Development Center (NEK Community Action – NEKCA) – 802.748.6048; www.vtmicrobusiness.org
Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) – 802.748.1014; www.vtsbdc.org
Women’s Business Center – 802.229.2181; www.vwbc.org
Center for an Agricultural Economy (agriculture and forestry related businesses) – 802.472.5840; www.hardwickagriculture.org
Incubator Without Walls – 802.626.4867; www.lyndonstate.edu
Business Growth/Development Assistance
Vermont Small Business Development Center – 802.748.1014; www.vtsbdc.org
Women’s Business Center – 802.229.2181; www.vwbc.org
Northern Community Investment Corporation – 802.748.5101; www.ncic.org
Center for an Agricultural Economy (agriculture and forestry related businesses) – 802.472-5840; www.hardwickagriculture.org
Incubator Without Walls – 802.626.4867; www.lyndonstate.edu
Vermont Secretary of State’s Office – 802.828.2363 / 800.439.8683; www.sec.state.vt.us
“So You Want to Start a Business?”
Technology Development and Commercialization
Vermont Small Business Development Center (Technology Commercialization Specialist) – 802.281.5236; www.vtsbdc.org
Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies – 802.656.3880; www.vermonttechnologies.com
Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Assistance
Vermont Small Business Development Center (Regulatory and Environmental Assistance Specialist) – 802.728.9101; www.vtsbdc.org
State of VT, Regional DEC Permit Specialist – 802.751.0127 (Tues. only), 802.476.0195
State of VT, Regional Act 250 Coordinator – 802.751.0120
Active Small Business Commercial Lenders
Chittenden Bank – 802.334.6511
Community National Bank – 802.334.7915
Passumpsic Savings Bank – 802.334.6529
Union Bank – 802.748.3131
Yankee Farm Credit – 802.334.8050
Alternative Lenders
Northern Community Investment Corporation – 802.748.5101; www.ncic.org
Vermont Community Loan Fund – 802.223.1448; www.vclf.org
Community Capital of Vermont – 802.479.0167; www.cvcapital.org
Economic Development Council of Northern Vermont (EDCNV) – 802.524.4546; www.edcnv.org
Vermont Economic Development Authority – 802.828.5627; www.veda.org
USDA, Rural Development – 802.748.8746; www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt . In addition to Business Loan Guarantees, USDA also has its Business Enterprise (RBEG) and Opportunity (RBOG) Grant Programs
Farm Service Agency – 802.334.6090; www.fsa.usda.gov/vt
Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists
Slow Money – 617.566.2600; www.slowmoneyalliance.org
North Country Angels – wainwright@northcountryangels.com
Fresh Tracks Capital – 802.923.1500; www.freshtrackscap.com
Vermont Venture Network – 802.658.7830; www.merritt-merritt.com/vvn.html
Underdog Ventures – 802.723.9909; www.underdogventures.com
Workforce Development and Training
Lyndon State College – 802.626.6400; www.lyndonstate.edu
Johnson State College – 802.635.2356; www.johnsonstate.edu
North Country Career and Technical Center – 802.334.5469
Workforce Investment Board – www.nekwib.org
Vermont Department of Labor – 802.828.4000; www.labor.vermont.gov
On-line Business Resources
www.buzgate.org – free small business help and solutions
www.entrepreneurship.org – Kaufman Foundation
www.myownbusiness.org – free internet course for people interested in starting a business
www.bplans.com – business plans
www.businessownersideacafe.com – Idea Café
www.powerhomebiz.com – home businesses
www.abilitiesfund.org – business assistance for individuals with disabilities