Business Resources:
Business Counseling,
Classes and Technical Assistance

The following organizations provide business technical assistance to Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Contact one or more of them to get detailed help with your new or existing business, or just to get feedback about a business idea.

Micro Business Development Program (MBDP) www.vtmicrobusiness.org

MBDP provides one-on-one counseling, classes, business planning, loan packaging, peer support groups and individual development account services to low and moderate-income Vermonters starting or owning small businesses. Counseling is available in St. Albans and Swanton. Computer access center available in Burlington. MBDP is a program of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc.

Women’s Small Business Program (WSBP) www.wsbp.org

WSBP works with women and men to evaluate business ownership as a possibility and to give them the necessary tools to put their idea into action. WSBP offers courses, workshops and roundtables on specific topics, such as exploring business ownership, creating a bank-ready business plan and education for existing business owners. WSBP operates a computer access center and small business library in Burlington.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) http://www.vtsbdc.org

The SBDC mission is to assist start-ups and strengthen existing business entities through high quality, no cost counseling, and high quality, affordable training programs.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) www.score.org

SCORE uses volunteer retired and working business professionals to provide counseling to new and existing small businesses.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) www.sba.gov/vt/vtbic.html

The SBA maintains a Business Information Center (BIC) at the Key Bank at 149 Bank St. in Burlington. The center contains a variety of business education materials (books, magazines, videos and software) and computers, and is open to the public during bank hours.