In 2006, the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) launched its first Business Plan Competition with multiple goals in mind: to help raise awareness in the community about small businesses and entrepreneurship, and to encourage new business development by helping interested community members develop viable business plans, gain public attention, and earn financial rewards.

According to BDCC Executive Director Jeffrey Lewis, "The finalists represented a wide and inventive vein of creativity in Windham County, and the contest was such a success, we knew we had to make it an annual event."

The third annual Business Plan Competition, publicly announced on October 23, 2007, at BDCC's Annual Meeting of Trustees, offers two prize categories -- one for Existing Businesses and one for New Businesses.

"We noticed in 2006, that it was difficult to compare business plans submitted for new business ideas against plans submitted by already established businesses," says Lewis. "Understandably, the existing businesses stood out more favorably. Yet we want to encourage growth in both segments. So, with two prize categories in 2007 and 2008, we were able to include more contestants and thus increase our impact on jump starting new business growth in the region."

Profiles are available of the 2006 winners, 2007 winners and 2008 winners.

BDCC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth in Windham County. Our primary objective is to create and retain a flourishing business community that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all the county's residents. Read more about BDCC...