The fourth annual Business Plan Competition, offered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) again includes two entry categories and multiple prizes totaling more than $40,000. All new and existing businesses entering the competition must be located in BDCC's designated region of Windham County plus the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, and Weston, Vermont.

• For the Existing Business category, the top prize will be $12,000, the second-place prize will be $6,000, and the prizes for up to four runners-up will be $2,000 each.
• For the New Business category, the top prize will be $6,000, the second-place prize will be $3,000, and the prizes for up to four runners-up will be $1,500 each.

The premise behind the Business Plan Competition is to help raise awareness in the community about small business and entrepreneurship, and to encourage new business development by helping interested community members develop viable business plans, gain public attention, and earn financial rewards.

Read about the 2008 winners, 2007 winners, and 2006 winners.

Learn more about the competition and its schedule, eligibility, rules, registration, judging, and free resources.

To contact BDCC for more information please call 802-257-7731 or email us at bdcc@sover.net.