BRATTLEBORO — Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), has opened applications to compete in the 2021 Windham County Business Plan Competition.
The multi-year competition is funded by the Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) and, according to a news release, “will create an opportunity for scalable and growth-focused businesses in the region to refine their business plans, hone their pitch, and receive an award that will assist their startup operations or growth plans.”
The winner receives a $20,000 cash award; $5,000 in Amazon Web Services credits; $3,000 of technical assistance/consulting from BDCC; and streamlined application for BDCC's loan programs.
If a business meets the eligibility and scoring requirements, it will be invited to compete.
Once in the contest, entrepreneurs will prepare a business plan and pitch video, and they will participate in a live pitch event in celebration of Global Entrepreneur Week (Nov. 8–12).
“Each activity is designed to help Windham County entrepreneurs better launch and cultivate businesses that will grow and help to create a more vibrant economy in the region,” BDCC organizers write.
Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 15, with notifications of acceptance sent out on Oct. 25. The business pitch event is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 8, and the final business plan is due by Wednesday, Dec. 1.
A winner will be announced on Jan. 14, 2022.
WCEDP was created to help relieve the economic impact of the closure of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Since the program launch, BDCC says that WCEDP funds “have helped existing businesses, reinforced economic development infrastructure, and generated new businesses and entrepreneurial opportunities.”
BDCC says 15 to 20 eligible applicants are needed for the competition to proceed.
Visit bit.ly/630-bizplan to begin the application.