Find more resources at Vermont 2-1-1
- Search for services at vermont211.org
- Call 2-1-1 24 hours/7 days a week
- Text your zip code to 898211 - Mon. - Fri. 8:00am to 10:00pm
- Email info@vermont211.org - Mon. - Fri. 8:00am to 10:00pm
A program of United Ways of Vermont, 2-1-1 is a free confidential statewide information and referral service operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with language translation available. 2-1-1 offers a comprehensive searchable database of services and trained information and referral specialists offer personalized assistance by telephone any time, and respond to texts and emails Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Got questions about your legal rights? The Vermont Commission on Women's handbook, The Legal Rights of Women in Vermont might provide answers. Chapters include: Adoption, Guardianship and Emancipated Minors; Consumer Protection and Fair Credit; Domestic Relations; Education; Employment Rights; Housing and Property Rights; Immigration; Insurance; Name Changes; Public Accommodations; Public Assistance and Government Benefits; Reproductive Rights; Violence Against Women and Children; and Wills, Probate Court, and Advanced Directives.
Read Vermont Commission on Women's publications on this and other topics.
IN THIS CHAPTER:
Financing
Networking
General Assistance for Women & Minority-Owned Businesses
General Assistance
Do you operate a business in Vermont?
Sign up for our Equal Pay Compact, a voluntary pledge employers sign to indicate their commitment to closing the gender wage gap in Vermont. Compact signers commit to taking tangible, concrete action steps tailored to their own workplace. You'll join the growing list of Vermont employers committed to ending the wage gap!
Download the Leaders for Equity and Equal Pay (LEEP) Toolkit, a FREE resource to empower small to mid-size employers (any organization with under 400 employees) with the tools to conduct in-house, DIY gender and racial pay equity reviews. The LEEP Toolkit includes the excel-based Equity Management Tool and a companion Pay Equity Playbook. Also included is an interactive Compensation Philosophy Worksheet, a Pay Equity Plan Template, and a Performance Rubric. These tools were created by Sadowski Consulting Services in partnership with the Change The Story VT initiative of the Vermont Commission on Women, the Vermont Women's Fund, and Vermont Works for Women to fast-track women's economic well-being in Vermont.
Visit This Way Up! ad make sure the voices of all Vermont’s women business owners and leaders are heard - and counted! Are you a female founder? Do you run your own business? Are you a freelancer or contractor? Do you have a side gig that brings in a little income? Visit Vermont Women's Fund ThisWayUp and take the 10 minute interactive survey.
Got questions about your legal rights? The Vermont Commission on Women's handbook, The Legal Rights of Women in Vermont might provide answers. Chapters include: Adoption, Guardianship and Emancipated Minors; Consumer Protection and Fair Credit; Domestic Relations; Education; Employment Rights; Housing and Property Rights; Immigration; Insurance; Name Changes; Public Accommodations; Public Assistance and Government Benefits; Reproductive Rights; Violence Against Women and Children; and Wills, Probate Court, and Advanced Directives.
FINANCING
Community Capital
P.O. Box 342
105 No. Main Street, Suite 305
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 479-0167
info@communitycapitalvt.org
communitycapitalvt.org
Community Capital offers financing and other assistance to businesses in Vermont that do not yet meet all the requirements for traditional bank financing, allowing small-business owners and low-income entrepreneurs start their businesses and flourish with hindrance. The Vermont Job Start Loan Program helps develop self-employment opportunities for low and moderate-income Vermonters.
Northeastern Vermont Development Association
Main Office
36 Eastern Avenue
P.O. Box 630
St Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-5181 / (800) 639-5011
info@nvda.net
nvda.net
Newport Office
79 Coventry St., Suite 4C
Newport, VT 05855
(802) 334-5861
The Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) offers loan services and other financial assistance in conjunction with the VTSBDC. The NVDA provides resources for small business start-ups, economic/community projects, and various parties in need of loans or help paying loans.
Opportunities Credit Union
Burlington Office
92 North Ave.
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 660-4751
oppsvt.org/
Winooski Office
25 Winooski Falls Way, Suite 203
Winooski, VT 05404
(802) 654-4540 / (800) 865-8328
Opportunities Credit Union (OCU) promotes grass-roots community development in Vermont through home ownership, small business development, reliable transportation, financial stability, and economic literacy. The organization services 220 towns and cities all across the state, providing financial assistance to those who need it throughout Vermont with the help of their investors and partners.
Vermont Community Loan Fund
15 State Street
P.O. Box 827
Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-1448
investinvermont.org
The Vermont Community Loan Fund (VCLF) is an organization that offers loans to community-based nonprofit organizations, affordable housing projects, community-wide economic development strategies, businesses that use Vermont’s resources, and businesses located in Burlington’s Old North End. The VCLF also provides financial consultation and development services to ensure that borrowers have all the resources they may need to achieve their goals.
Vermont Farm Women Fund
617 Comstock Rd., Suite 5
Berlin, Vt 05602
802-223-2389 / (866) 860-1382
uvm.edu/~vfwf/
Vermont women farmers have banded together to form the Vermont Farm Women Fund, which gives loans and grants to aid women in agriculture, build thriving businesses, influence agricultural policy development, and support the awareness of women farmers. The VFWF has made it their mission to build up women farmers in the Vermont area and provide them with the financial resources to thrive economically and bring awareness to the issues regarding women in the agricultural community.
NETWORKING
Business and Professional Women
Business and Professional Women (BPW) promotes full participation, equity and economic self-sufficiency for working women through advocacy, education and information. Objectives of BPW include: (1) To elevate the standards for women in business and in the professions, (2) to promote the interest of business and professional women, (3) to bring about a spirit of cooperation among business and professional women of the United States, and (4) to extend opportunities to business and professional women through education along the lines of industrial, scientific and vocational activities. BPW has four active factions in Burlington, Champlain Valley, Franklin County, and St. Johnsbury.
Evolve Rutland
farvisionconsulting.com/evolve-rutland/
Evolve Rutland grows professional women through mentoring, networking and professional development opportunities, including lunches and seminars featuring prominent speakers. Evolve staff and volunteers believe that caring committed women leaders are models for success for all generations and are the cornerstone of strong, inclusive and economically sustainable communities.
Greater Burlington Women's Forum
Greater Burlington Women's Forum is a group of women looking to deepen connections around work, family and community. Forum members gather regularly for inspiring educational programs, and for the opportunity to connect with other women who share an interest in the promotion of women to leadership. The program portion of each meeting is presented by either an individual or a panel of women who are experts on the topic being offered. Following the program presentation, women are given a topic for discussion at their table, then are encouraged to make announcements about job openings or leadership opportunities, events or other items of interest to the participants.
Leadership Southeast VT
56 Main St Suite #2
Springfield VT, 05156
leadershipsevt.org
Leadership Southeast Vermont's mission is to bring together people who want to be active leaders in their communities and come from backgrounds with diverse experiences and views. This is an intensive interactive program comprised of meetings that focus on a community theme. These sessions utilize presentations, group discussions, field trips, and class projects all centered around the many complex issues facing communities.
Women Business Owners Network (WBON)
P.O. Box 173
Williston, VT 05495
(802) 503-0219
wbon.org/
The Women Business Owners Network (WBON) is a Vermont-based association of over 300 women business owners in Northern New England. WBON offers a forum for women to connect and learn. They share what they know and learn from one another. Since 1984, WBON has been creating the opportunity for members to exchange information and resources in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The network has chapters in Burlington, Williston, and Waterbury.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN & MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES
Center for Women & Enterprise
431 Pine St. Suite 101
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 391-4870
Info.Vermont@CWEonline.org
cweonline.org
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) provides opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women in business to increase professional success, personal growth, and financial independence. Funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, CWE works with the SBA in Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Eastern and Central Massachusetts to deliver quality services to current and prospective women entrepreneurs. CWE specializes in education, training, technical assistance and women’s business enterprise certification.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program of the Vermont Agency of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights & Labor Compliance
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier VT 05633-5001
(802) 828-2644
vtrans.vermont.gov/civil-rights/doing-business/dbe-center
***Certified Women and Minority-Owned Businesses*** The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program at the Vermont Agency of Transportation encourages and supports the participation of the companies owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in transportation contracts. They provide a central business directory for transportation-related minority and women-owned businesses, provide statewide certification to eligible businesses, and provide technical assistance and training on business development and government contracting. To participate in federally-funded contracts under the DBE Program, firms must be certified with VTrans. A DBE is a business which: is at least 51 percent owned by one or more socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals, and whose management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of the socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals who own it.
Vermont Professionals of Color Network
P.O. Box 4277
Burlington, VT 05406
802-391-9988
vtpoc.net
VT PoC's goal is to build communities and networks that promote, support, and affirm POC in a way that helps them succeed personally and professionally throughout Vermont, and ultimately to create pathways for Youths of Color to become successful in life. Areas of focus include networking, mentoring and education, and visibility through advocacy. VT PoC offers a business directory, a newsletter, a jobs board, workshop series, and many events and opportunities.
Women's Agricultural Network (WAgN)
327 US Route 302
Berlin, VT 05641
(802) 476-2003
wagn@uvm.edu
uvm.edu/wagn/
Through a series of educational, technical assistance, and networking opportunities, WAgN works to increase the number of women owning and operating profitable farms and ag-related businesses, as well as their profile in leadership positions throughout the agricultural sectors of business, government and community. From developing and assessing a business idea through the advanced planning and implementation phases, WAgN offers a program to support and encourage these varying levels.
Women’s Small Business Program at Mercy Connections
255 South Champlain Street, Suite 8
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 846-7063
mercyconnections.org
The Women’s Small Business Program (WSBP) provides classroom-based education for women at every stage of their entrepreneurial career. From helping women to decide if business ownership is right for them, to comprehensive business planning assistance, WSBP equips women with the technical knowledge, professional and support networks that help them make informed decisions about business in their lives.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE
Agency of Commerce and Community Development of the Vermont Department of Economic Development
1 National Life Drive
Davis Building, 6th Floor
Montpelier, VT 05620-0501
(802) 828-3211
accd.vermont.gov/economic-development
The website of the Department of Economic Development is a wealth of business information including startup costs and other financial resources along with links to other valuable business oriented sites. This department hosts a variety of resources and information for entrepreneurs and business-owners all across the state.
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, United States Department of Agriculture
(802) 828-6044
rd.usda.gov/programs-services/business-industry-loan-guarantees/vt
The purpose of the B&I Guaranteed Loan Program is to improve, develop, or finance business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental climate in rural communities.
Secretary of State’s Business Startup Tool
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-1104
(802) 828-2386 / (888) 647-4582
vtsosonline.com/online/Home/BusinessStart
Corporations Division of the Vermont Office of Secretary of State
128 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05633-1104
(802) 828-2386
sos.vermont.gov/corporations/
The Vermont Secretary of State’s Corporation Division is responsible for registration of all business entities, Trademark, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. An individual should contact them if they are starting up a profit or non-profit business. A single sign-in system, vtsosonline site listed above, allows businesses to file reports, obtain tax information, and interact with multiple agencies in one place. The office provides registration services for new businesses and resources for beginning managers and entrepreneurs.
Micro Business Development Programs (MBDP)
The mission of these programs is to provide technical assistance and training to low-to-moderate income Vermonters who own or intend to start or grow a small business. Their goals are to foster self-employment as a route to economic self-sufficiency for Vermonters facing economic, social or medical challenges; to provide counseling and education for micro-business start-up and management; and to offer counseling and mentoring to assist participants in positioning themselves for long term success. The program provides one-on-one business counseling, classroom training, group workshops, feasibility assessment, business planning, market research and analysis, mentoring, and loan packaging. The Micro Business Development Program is a non-profit grant funded program of each of the five Community Action Programs in Vermont. Offices are located statewide:
Micro Business Development Program at BROC (Bennington-Rutland Opportunities Council (BROC)—Community Action agency in Southwestern Vermont
Main BROC Office - Rutland
45 Union Street
Rutland, VT 05701
(800) 717-2762 / (802) 775-0878
Bennington BROC Office
332 Orchard Road
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-7515
Micro Business Development Program at Capstone Community Action
Main Capstone Office - Barre
20 Gable Place
Barre, VT
(802) 479-1053 / (800) 639-1053
Lamoille County Capstone
197 Harrel Street
Morrisville, VT 05661
(800) 639-8710 / (802) 888-7993
Orange County West Capstone
P.O. Box 284
12 Prince Street
Randolph, VT 05060
(800) 846-9506 / (802) 728-9506
Orange County East Capstone
P.O. Box 500
22 Whistle Stop Way
Bradford, VT 05033
(802) 222-5419
Mad River Valley Capstone
Evergreen Senior Center (building basement)
5308 Main Street
Waitsfield, VT 05763
(802) 496-6900
Micro Business Development Program at Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc. (CVOEO)
Addison County CVOEO
54 Creek Road, Suite A
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802)-388-2285
Chittenden County CVOEO
255 South Champlain Street
Burlington, VT 05402
(802) 863-6248
Franklin/Grand Isle County CVOEO
5 Lemnah Drive, Suite 5
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 527-7392
Micro Business Development Program at Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA)
Newport NECKA Offices
70 Main Street
P.O. Box 346
Newport, VT 05855
(802) 334-7316
32 Central Street
Newport, VT 05855
(802) 334-4072
St. Johnsbury NECKA Office
108 Cherry Street
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
(802) 748-6048
Canaan Satellite Office
P.O. Box 69
217 Gail Street or 253 Gale Street
Canaan, VT 05093
(802) 226-7134
Island Pond Satellite Office
P.O. Box 430
70 Cross Street
Island Pond, VT 05846
(802) 723-6245
Micro Business Development Program at Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Inc. (SEVCA)
91 Buck Drive
Westminster, VT 05158
(802) 722-4575 ext. 150 & 151 / (800) 464-9951
sevca.org
SCORE Vermont
SCORE, a nonprofit organization and SBA resource partner, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and confidential mentorship, primarily at no cost.
Main Office - Burlington
60 Main Street; Suite 4
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 764-5899 / (800) 634-0245
Middlebury Branch
1590 US-7
Middlebury, VT, 05753
(802) 764-5899
Montpelier Branch
87 State Street
Montpelier, VT, 05601
(802) 764-5899
Rutland Branch
50 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT, 05701
(802) 764-5899
St. Albans Branch
2 North Main Street, 4th Floor
St. Albans, VT, 05478
(802) 764-5899
Vermont Small Business Development Center
vtsbdc.org
The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) offers no-cost expert assistance to small business owners and entrepreneurs. They combine one-on-one confidential advising with training programs to give clients the tools and insight they need to reach their business goals. VtSBDC assists with: Startup planning, Financing, Sales/marketing, Growth strategies, Financial management, and Operations. VtSBDC is a statewide program of Vermont State Colleges, hosted by Vermont Technical College. It is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development and nationally accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
1540 Vermont Route 66
Randolph, Vermont 05060
Tel: (802) 728-9101 or in VT (800) 464-SBDC
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 188
Randolph Center, VT 05061
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Offices
The Department of Agriculture Rural Development offices guarantee loans by eligible local lenders to businesses in rural areas. The programs are applicable in cities and suburban areas of less than 50,000 people, and priority is given to areas with less than 25,000 people. No size restrictions on the business. Individuals as well as public and private organizations may borrow. There are three offices in Vermont:
Main Office - Montpelier
87 State Street, Suite 324
P. O. Box 249
Montpelier, VT 05601
(802) 828-6000 / (802) 828-6080 / (802) 828-6018 (Fax)
Brattleboro Office
28 Vernon Street, Suite 333
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 257-7878
St. Johnsbury Office
481 Summer Street, Suite 203
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819-2734
(802) 748-8746
U.S. Small Business Administration
Montpelier District Office
87 State Street, Room 205
Montpelier, VT 05601
(802) 828-4422 / (802) 828-4550 (TDD)
sba.gov
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a government-sponsored organization that helps entrepreneurs and business owners through counseling, training, and business development programs. The SBA also approves loans for new and struggling small businesses. The SBA’s Small Business Training Network at www.sba.gov/training is an Internet-based training portal for free courses, workshops and access to learning tools for small businesses. Local resource offices within Vermont can also be found using the site map here: www.sba.gov/tools/local-assistance
Vermont Department of Labor
5 Green Mountain Drive
P.O. Box 488
Montpelier, VT 05601-0488
(802) 828-4000 / (802) 828-4203 (TDD)
labor.vermont.gov
The Department of Labor provides information and resources for workers within the state of Vermont, and it consists of three divisions: The Division of Workers' Compensation and Safety, the Division of Unemployment Insurance and Wages, and the Division of Workforce Development. There are 13 career resource center locations statewide:
Barre Resource Center
McFarland State Office Building
5 Perry Street, Suite 200
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-2600
Bennington Resource Center
200 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite 2
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-6376
Brattleboro Resource Center
State Office Building
232 Main Street
Brattleboro, VT 05302
(802) 254-4555
Burlington Resource Center
63 Pearl Street
Burlington, VT 05402-0310
(802) 863-7676
Middlebury Resource Center
1590 Route 7 South, Suite 5
Middlebury, VT 05753
(802) 388-4921
Morrisville Resource Center
197 Harrel Street
Morrisville, VT 05661-0429
(802) 888-4545
Newport Resource Center
Emory E. Hebard State Resource Center Building
100 Main Street, Suite 210
Newport, VT 05855-4898
(802) 334-6545
Randolph Resource Center
50 Randolph Ave
Randolph, VT 05060 *by appointment only
(802) 476-2600
Rutland Resource Center
200 Asa Bloomer Building
Rutland, VT 05701-9413
(802) 786-5837
St. Albans Resource Center
27 Federal Street, Suite 100
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-6585
St. Johnsbury Resource Center
1197 Main Street, Suite 1
P.O. Box 129
St. Johnsbury, VT 05189-0129
(802) 748-3177
Springfield Resource Center
56 Main Street, Suite 101
Springfield, VT 05156
(802) 885-2167
White River Junction Resource Center/Hartford
118 Prospect Street, Suite 302
Hartford, VT 05001
(802) 295-8805
Vermont Department of Taxes
Business Tax Division
133 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05601
(802) 828-2551
tax.business@vermont.gov
tax.vermont.gov/business
Vermont Employee Ownership Center
286 College Street
P.O. Box 546
Burlington, VT 05402
(802) 338-7448
info@veoc.org
veoc.org
The Vermont Employee Ownership Center is a statewide non-profit whose mission is to promote and foster employee ownership in order to broaden capital ownership, deepen employee participation, retain jobs, increase living standards for working families, and stabilize communities.
Vermont Food Venture Center | Center for an Agricultural Economy
P.O. Box 422
140 Junction Road
Hardwick, VT 05843
802-472-5362
hardwickagriculture.org/farmers-food-businesses/shared-use-commercial-kitchen
The Vermont Food Venture Center is a shared-use kitchen incubator for value-added and specialty food producers who can rent the kitchen on an hourly basis or arrange for co-packing at the facility. Staff provides a wide array of food and agricultural business consulting services to aspiring entrepreneurs, existing food businesses and organizations looking to promote food businesses as an economic development tool.
Vermont Futures Project
The Vermont Futures Project is an independent non-partisan organization with a goal of providing a vision that supports and encourages long-term economic growth for Vermont, providing data and recommendations to achieve this goal. The Vermont Futures Project will position the economy in the center of a statewide discussion about Vermont’s future, enriching that discussion with data, benchmarks, and research – demonstrating how a healthy economy provides opportunities for people and contributes to Vermont’s unique quality of life. Looking into the future, there are warning signs: a declining population, an aging workforce, low unemployment, and employers struggling to find employees. This project will articulate a strong shared vision for a healthy Vermont and publish and track measurable goals to achieve that vision. Work features a data-driven dashboard with economic indicators to track progress, developing the long-term economic goals, and creating policies that will strengthen Vermont’s economy.
Vermont Leadership Institute
A program of the Snelling Center, the Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) develops leaders in business, public policy, education, community development and many non-profit sectors. The program is comprised of eighteen seminar days with eight overnight sessions. VLI fosters ethical and transformative leadership, drawing on expert faculty from within Vermont, as well as dynamic presenters from across the country.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by authors and members of the organizations listed are not necessarily those of VCW. The presence of any individual or organization on this list should not be considered an endorsement by VCW.