Economic Development Resource Guide
This Economic Development Resource Guide has been developed by the Better Bennington Corporation for prospective business owners and developers who are considering locating, expanding or improving a commercial enterprise or real estate property in Downtown Bennington.
This guide attempts to be comprehensive in its list of available contents and resources, but may
not reference every available source of assistance. In most instances, through discussion with the various contacts, all of your questions can be addressed and you will be provided with additional direction and further assistance. Conversely, many of the resources may not apply to your specific situation.
The Economic Development Resource Guide is formatted so you may designate at the onset
the items which pertain to you. Much attention has been paid to the permitting process in the
State of Vermont; while the process is comprehensive it is entirely manageable when armed with
the appropriate information.
It is the Better Bennington Corporation’s hope that you will find this Economic Development Resource Guide a useful tool in helping you manage all the steps in your business planning process. Thank you for considering Bennington as a site for your business or development.
We trust that you will find our community to be a wonderful place to live, work, and recreate.
MARKET INFORMATION
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Organization |
Resources Available |
Needed |
In Hand |
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Better Bennington Corporation
Executive Director
215 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-5758
director@betterbennington.com
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Retail Market Analysis |
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Land Use Circulation Analysis |
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New Business Resource Packet |
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New Business Tool Box |
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Town of Bennington
Development Director
205 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-1037
smurphy@bennington.com |
Employment Data |
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Population/Demographic Info |
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Grand List Valuation |
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Governmental Structure Info |
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Bennington County Industrial Corporation
Executive Director
PO Box 923
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-8975
peter@bcic.org |
Population |
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Employer Info |
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Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
Veterans Memorial Drive
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-3311
chamber@bennington.com |
Tourist/Visitor Info |
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Membership Info |
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Sales Tax Info |
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Bennington County Regional Commission
Executive Director
111 South Street, Ste. 203
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-0713
jsullivan@bcrcvt.org |
Industrial Inventory |
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Housing Data |
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VT Small Business Development Center
215 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-8975 (802)-733-9147
rplunkett@vtsbdc.org |
Regional Market info |
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Regional Demographics |
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SITE SELECTION
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Organization |
Resources Available |
Needed |
In Hand |
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Better Bennington Corporation
Executive Director
215 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-5758
director@betterbennington.com |
Downtown Space Inventory |
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Land Use Circulation Analysis |
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Personal Guidance |
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Town of Bennington
Development Director
205 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-1037
dmonks@bennington.com |
Land Use Development Regulations |
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Town Plan |
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Tax Maps |
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Zoning Maps |
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Detail of Available Infrastructure |
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Personal Guidance |
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Bennington County Industrial Corp.
Executive Director
PO Box 923
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-8975
peter@bcic.org |
Incubator Building |
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Industrial Park Information |
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Personal Guidance |
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Bennington County Regional Comm. Executive Director
111 South Street, Ste. 203
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-0713
jsullivan@bcrcvt.org |
Regional Plan |
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Industrial Site Inventory |
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Real Estate Agents
(See Chamber of Commerce Listing) |
MLS/House Listings |
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Commercial Listing |
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Advocacy/Guidance |
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Secretary of State
81 River Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1104
(802) 828-2386
bpoulin@sec.state.vt.us |
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U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Dev.
Area Director
28 Vernon Street, Suite 333
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-9766, x 106
jon.muise@vt.usda.gov |
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PERMITTING/ LICENSING
This list contains the requirements as of the print date; do not rely solely on the information provided. Requirements may change at any time so check with the appropriate authorities for the most updated information.
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Organization |
Resources Available |
Needed |
In Hand |
|
Better Bennington Corporation
Executive Director
215 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-5758
director@betterbennington.com |
Guidance |
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Town of Bennington
Development Director
205 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-1037
dmonks@bennington.com |
Zoning Permits |
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Building Permits |
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Sign Permits |
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Demolition Permits |
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Water Sewer Allocation |
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Access Permit |
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State of Vermont
Permit Specialist, District 9
450 Asa Bloomer Street Office Building
Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701 |
Permit Checklist/Specialist |
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Act 250 Permit |
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Electrical Permits |
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Water/Wastewater Permit |
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Health Department |
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Operating Licenses |
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Vermont Secretary of State
81 River Street
Montpelier, VT 05609-1104
(802) 828-2386
bpoulin@sec.state.vt.us |
Trade Name Registration |
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Business Registration |
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FINANCIAL RESOURCES/INCENTIVES
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Organization |
Resources Available |
Needed |
In Hand |
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Better Bennington Corporation
Executive Director
215 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-5758
director@betterbennington.com |
Guidance |
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Town of Bennington
Development Director
205 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-1037
dmonks@bennington.com |
Low Interest Revolving Loans |
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Tax Stabilization |
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Downtown Tax Credits |
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-Historic Preservation |
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-Façade Improvements |
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-Elevator/Lifts |
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-Life Safety Code |
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Community Dev. Block Grants |
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Growth Center Incentives |
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Historic Preservation Tax Credits |
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-Federal Rehabilitation of
Historic Buildings |
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-Federal Low Income
Housing Rehabilitation |
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Bennington County Industrial Corp.
Executive Director
PO Box 923
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 447-8975
peter@bcic.org |
VT Econ. Dev. Authority |
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- Low Interest Loans |
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VT Economic Progress Council |
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-Tax Credits |
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VT Small Business Development Center
215 South Street
Bennington, VT 05201
(802) 442-8975 (802) 773-9147
rplunkett@vtsbdc.org |
Business Financing Advocate |
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Local Banks
(See Chamber of Commerce Listing) |
Small Business Admin. Loans |
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U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Dev.
Area Director
28 Vernon Street, Suite 333
Brattleboro, VT 05301
(802) 254-9766, x 106
jon.muise@vt.usda.gov |
Business Financing Options |
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Better Bennington Corp. ~ 215 South St. ~ Bennington, VT 05201 ~ 802-442-5758 ~ www.betterbennington.com