Workshop to aid business startups; GMP offers grants for solar charging stations

Starting Your Own Business workshop

Vermont Small Business Development Center is offering a four-hour workshop on how to start your own business and write a business plan. The course will be offered on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Springfield Regional Development Corp., 14 Clinton St., in the first floor conference room.

Starting Your Own Business is conducted by experienced business advisors and designed as a step-by-step guide for starting a business in Vermont for the first-time business owner:

• Evaluate whether there is a viable business in your good idea
• Identify your target customers and explore how to conduct market research
• Learn how to register your company, apply for tax numbers and protect your brand
• Prepare to write an effective business plan
• Find out about financing options and learn what a credible loan package looks like

Space is limited. To register for the workshop, sign up online at www.sbdc.org—click on the Training tab. For registration questions, email Heather Gonyaw at hgonyaw@sbdc.org. The registration fee is $99. Your payment includes a start-up workbook in hardcopy and pdf format.

Vermont Small Business Development Center is a non-profit partnership of government, education and business, organized to help Vermont small businesses succeed. No-cost, confidential advice is provided to existing business owners and new entrepreneurs throughout the state. For more information visit www.sbdc.org or contact Debra Boudrieau at 802-885-2071 or dboudrieau@sbdc.org.

GMP offers grants for solar vehicle charging stations

As part of building a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network across the state, Green Mountain Power is offering nearly $50,000 in four separate grants to build four solar-paired electric vehicle charging stations. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Oct. 23.

Applications should be submitted via email to Jenn.Cortez@greenmountainpower.com and should include a description of the project, the location, and other sources of funding to leverage the best projects. GMP will work with the Clean Energy Development Fund to coordinate these projects.

“We are so excited to be placing more charging stations where lots of Vermonters will use them, and having the sun power it all,” said GMP spokeswoman Dorothy Schnure.

Individuals as well as businesses can apply for the four grants. Grant recipients will be chosen based on how suitable their proposal is for charging stations, including locating in areas with high visibility and the availability of activities, such as shopping, to engage people nearby while they charge and help boost business in downtowns.

More information at: www.greenmountainpower.com.

Compiled by Leah M. Cunningham and Susan Lampe-Wilson.