INTRODUCTION

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a FREE & confidential Statewide program dedicated to helping both new businesses get started and existing businesses to succeed.

There are 12 Small Business Development Centers located throughout Vermont, all co-located with Regional Development Corporation (RDC) offices.

John Brennan, the Area Business Advisor, representing all of Washington County and three towns in Orange County, works out of the Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation office, with hours of 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM on Monday-Friday. Contact us for a free appointment. 802-223-4654

SERVICES

The Small Business Development Center offers a wide-range of business related services. The following are many of the services provided for free:

BUSINESS PLANNING: The SBDC assists clients in developing business plans, but does not write business plans for clients.

CAPITAL FORMATION: The SBDC assists small businesses in developing capital via loan and grant programs through specialized workshops and one-on-one counseling. Please note that the SBDC does not have a loan program itself.

INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: The SBDC assists in the transfer of technology and research findings from existing sources to small businesses.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE: The SBDC conducts seminars and counseling to assist companies in becoming involved in international trade.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT: The SBDC maintains a close working relationship and open communication with local financial & investment communities, legal associates, local & regional small business groups, and local & regional private consultants, as well as foster & house local SCORE chapters in order to help address various needs of small businesses.

MARKETING & RESEARCH: The SBDC Specialist will help businesses conduct necessary research, as well as refer appropriate research requests to the National SBDC Research Network. The SBDC will also assist clients in developing marketing plans.

QUALITY TRAINING PROGRAMS

The SBDC produces a wide variety of workshops, seminars and conferences each year to meet the needs of both start-up and existing businesses. Workshops and seminars are held at various locations throughout the state or via Vermont Interactive Television to minimize inconvenience and travel. Most are eight hours or less and focus on the basic business management areas, which include business planning, capital acquisition, marketing, financial management, taxes, accounting & record keeping. Fees generally run between $25.00 and $75.00.

Upcoming classes can be found online or by calling Jennifer at 802-223-4654.

Business Start-Up Workshops are offered monthly in our Montpelier office and around the state. They are generally three hours and students are provided with a packet of business startup information including a comprehensive workbook. There is a $35.00 fee and registration and class information can be found on the VT SBDC website or by calling 802-223-4654. If you haven't owned or operated a business in the past and want to know what is involved with owning and operating a business in Vermont, this is the perfect place to start!

ABOUT John Brennan,

Area SBDC Advisor

John joined the Vermont SBDC in 2004. His background includes experience in marketing, operations, education and finance in the telcommunications and other high growth industries. Since 2002, he has been the Co-Founder and CEO of Source One Capital Group, LLC. Previously he served as Co-Founder, President and CFO for True Advanage Inc., an online sales-intelligence suite of products and services for sales and marketing professionsls, and Northeast President for Nextel Communications. A CPA, he holds a Masters of Science in Marketing/Accounting and a Bachelors of Science in Business Economics. He has also done extensive business teaching. John resides with his family in Morrisville, Vermont. Please contact us for a FREE appointment with him, 802-223-4654.

Vermont Small Business

Development Center

INTRODUCTION

Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation, © 1999-2006 Maintained & Programmed by CVEDC

Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation, © 1999-2006
Maintained & Programmed by CVEDC