Business

Signs for Make It On Main Street can be seen along Main Street in Wilmington. Applications for the business plan competition opened on Friday, September 27. Lauren Harkawik

Make It On Main Street business plan contest is back with a bang

WILMINGTON - Make It On Main Street, the business plan competition that debuted in 2018, is back. This time, hopeful business owners are eligible to win up to $75,000.
Applications for the competition opened on Friday, September 27. In 2018, the competition was funded through a donation...

Business plan competition offers $75,000 in prizes

WILMINGTON - Ready to bring a long-time business idea to life in the heart of Wilmington? Now is the chance. Wilmington Works has announced the return of its business plan competition Make It On Main Street: Volume II. With up to $75,000 in prize money available, this is an incredible...

Shoppers stroll through downtown Bennington.
Lorianna Weathers Photography.

Shoppers stroll through downtown Bennington. Lorianna Weathers Photography.

Chamber conducts annual state of commerce survey

BENNINGTON - The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce recently conducted its annual State of the Commerce survey, providing valuable insights into the prevailing economic trends and sentiments about the regional economy. The survey, which saw participation from businesses and organizations...

Rebates offered to electric customers

VERMONT - Customers with 11 electric utilities that make up VPPSA—the Vermont Public Power Supply Authority—can now take advantage of unique energy-saving opportunities thanks to a special partnership between VPPSA and Efficiency Vermont.
The exclusive rebates available to VPPSA member...

Harrington at the 2023 Southwestern Vermont Chamber’s annual membership meeting

Harrington at the 2023 Southwestern Vermont Chamber’s annual membership meeting

Director earns executive designation

BENNINGTON - The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has announced that Matt Harrington, Executive Director of the Southwestern Vermont Chamber, has recently earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the...

Grants offered to women business owners

VERMONT - The Vermont Women’s Fund, a supporting organization of the Vermont Community Foundation, and the Center for Women and Enterprise, recently announced grants from the Rise and Thrive campaign totaling $230,000 to women business owners affected by the July 2023 flooding that caused major...

Apprentice programs boosted

VERMONT - The Vermont Department of Labor’s Workforce Development Division announced a new partnership with the Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center aimed at increasing registered apprenticeships in manufacturing. This partnership, funded by a $225,000 grant from the Vermont Department of...

Bank adds funds to home buyer program

BOSTON, MA - Berkshire Bank announced it has increased the funds available through its down payment assistance program to help home buyers achieve their dream of home ownership.
Eligible borrowers purchasing a home in a qualifying area may now receive down payment assistance of $7,500...

SEVCA’s Pat Burke, right, accepts the Tom Yahn Award on behalf of the late Susan Howes. Left, WWHT board member Leo Schiff; center, Susan Howes’ daughters Meg and Emilie.

SEVCA’s Pat Burke, right, accepts the Tom Yahn Award on behalf of the late Susan Howes. Left, WWHT board member Leo Schiff; center, Susan Howes’ daughters Meg and Emilie.

Housing trust holds its annual meeting, awards

BRATTLEBORO - The Windham & Windsor Housing Trust held its annual meeting on Thursday, June 27, at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center to report to its membership, elect new board members, and honor the memory and dedication of SEVCA housing specialist Susan Howes with a special award....

Business plan competition returns, sponsors sought

WILMINGTON - Wilmington Works invites the public to join them as a sponsor for an exciting program called Make it on Main Street Volume II.
Through this contest, they are seeking to attract a business or service to open in a vacant space in Wilmington’s historic downtown. The ideal...