MARCH 15, 2007
BRATTLEBORO, VT — The second annual Business Plan Competition, offered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), came to a grand finale at 3 p.m. Monday, March 12, 2007, at the Marlboro College Technology Center. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas made a special appearance to present the awards to this year's finalists, runners-up, and grand prize winners.
For the "Existing Business" category, the top prize of $20,000 was awarded to Natalie Blake and Randi Solin, the owners of two successful Brattleboro-based fine arts crafts businesses who joined together to form a single private arts organization called Fulcrum Arts. They will be integrating and extending their two crafts businesses with a shared building, public demonstration area, gallery, and teaching facility.
For the "Start-Up Business" category, the top prize of $10,000 was awarded to Matthew Murano, the owner and founder of Engineered Stone Designs, a complete manufactured stone business located in Wilmington, Vermont. He will be utilizing innovative and environmentally conscious manufacturing methods to produce the most accurate replication of natural materials with greater strength, aesthetic appeal, and workability for homeowners, businesses, and builders.
The three "Existing Business" runner-up prizes of $2,000 each were presented to: Moscode, Inc., owned by George Kaye and Gage Rommel of Brattleboro, for product development for their high-end audio manufacturing company; Putney Mountain Winery, owned by Kate and Charles Dodge of Putney, for the development of an Internet sales channel for their products; and High Meadows Farm, owned by Howard and Lisa Prussack of Westminster West, for the development of high-tunnel raspberry farming.
The three "Existing Business" finalist prizes of $1,000 each were presented to: Cold Rain Technologies, owned by Robert Bruen of Wilmington, for producing, developing, and marketing KnujOn, a system developed by his son Garth Bruen for shutting down junk e-mail and e-fraud websites; Purple Chef, owned by Sharon Myers of Brattleboro, for production of specialty food products such as artisan chutneys and marmalades; and SRI World Group, owned by Jay Falk of Brattleboro, for the development of a Web-based tool for reporting environmental, social, and corporate governance information to stakeholders.
The three "Start-Up Business" runner-up prizes of $2,000 each were presented to: Advanced Support Systems, owned by Bill Hickok of Brattleboro, to manufacture and sell proprietary design equipment for hunters and fishermen; Mobile Meat Makers, owned by Eliot G. Morse of Putney (not pictured), for a mobile poultry slaughter and processing facility; and Vermont Distillers, owned by Ed Metcalfe of Whitingham, to manufacture and sell Vermont-based liquors and liqueurs.
The two "Start-Up Business" finalist prizes of $1,000 each were presented to: Putney Design, owned by Colin Butler of Putney, to design and manufacture custom entrance gates; and SnapCabin, owned by Joseph Checco of South Londonderry, to manufacture and sell a unique system of housing composed of pre-fab rooms and connectors, delivered by flat bed.
In addition, a special Honorable Mention award of $250 was presented to 17-year-old Tyler Smith, a student at the Windham Regional Career Center, for his Independent Lawn Care business plan.
Judges evaluated each submission based on such criteria as: likelihood of success, potential for job creation, impact on the local economy, leadership quality, and financial clarity. 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.
BDCC is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that serves as a catalyst for industrial and commercial growth in Windham County. Its primary objective is to create and retain a flourishing business community that supports vibrant fiscal activity, and improves the quality of life of all its residents. Founded in 1954, BDCC owns and manages the Cotton Mill industrial park/incubator and the new Business Park at the former Book Press building, among other facilities, and is one of 12 Vermont Regional Development Corporations.
For more information about the Business Plan Competition, visit http://bdccbusinessplancompetition.com/ or contact BDCC at 802-257-7731 or bdcc@sover.net.