Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC)

An SBDC consultant will provide community small businesses advising and assistance in identifying Internet uses which address business needs, improve efficiencies and expand innovation and profitability.

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The Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) is a statewide organization with a mission of strengthening existing business entities and assisting start-ups with high-quality, no-cost counseling and affordable training programs. Download a pdf of the list of trainings and seminars they are offering to e-Vermont communities.

As part of the e-Vermont Community Broadband Project, VtSBDC is providing a full-time broadband business advisor. Patrick Ripley is dedicated solely to the e-Vermont project, with additional business assistance provided by our 13 regional advisors, statewide business programs and other VtSBDC resources. VtSBDC will work closely with the businesses in each selected town to increase their business use of the internet. These efforts will include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting businesses in establishing and improving their online presence.
• Providing one-on-one business advising, as well as training.
• Seeking business efficiencies through broadband technology.
• Advisement and training in better marketing of products and services online.
• Training businesses in the use of online social networking as a business tool.
• Incorporating the use of the internet in start-up businesses.
• Working with businesses that are solely internet based.
• Provide market analysis and exploring online markets to assist in business planning.
• Providing funds for online contractors and consultants when appropriate.

In today’s business climate, the use of the internet is an integral key to success. With the use of broadband technology, Vermont business owners can open a new world of opportunity that may have been hidden in the past. These opportunities include government contracting, a worldwide market, new ways of marketing and advertising products and services, as well as increased internal efficiencies. Through e-Vermont, VtSBDC will help businesses connect with their community, their customers, and the rest of the world.

Patrick can be reached by email at pripley@vtsbdc.org. e-Vermont is produced by the Vermont Council on Rural Development.