Introduction

Services

Training Programs

About Area Specialist

Small Business

Development Center

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.

Pat Travers, the Area Specialist representing all of Washington County and three towns in Orange County, works out of Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation, with office hours on Mondays-Friday. Contact us for a free appointment. 802-223-4654

The Small Business Development Center offers a wide-range of business related services. Following are many of the services provided 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.

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 Pat at 802-223-4654.

 

Business Start-Up workshops are offered monthly in our Montpelier office. They are generally three hours and students are provided with a packet of business startup information including a comprehensive workbook. There is a $25.00 fee and registration and class information can be found on the VT SBDC website or by calling 802-223-4654.

Pat joined the Vermont SBDC in mid-1998 with over 20 years experience in the engineering and construction industries. For the past five years, he has owned a construction consulting business and has provided business counseling services on a contractual basis for the New York State Small Business Development Center. He holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Hartford.

Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation, © 2003
Maintained & Programmed by CVEDC