What's Happening

CVCAC will once again offer 8 weeks of financial literacy classes this fall at Community National Bank in Barre, VT.  Beginning Thursday evening September 16th and continuing through November 4th, attendees will learn the basics on budgeting, retirement planning, wills, credit building and repair, identity theft, bank products, credit and debit cards, mortgages, loans, financing, insurance and more!  Call Tangible Assets staff at 476-8493 or 1-800-843-8397 for more information.  Possible in part with support from Green Mountain United Way.   Download the full schedule.

The Vermont Women’s Business Center (VWBC) hosted a celebration of its work and the business owners it serves on Monday, August 9 in Barre. Secretary of State Deb Markowitz, Chair of the VWBC Advisory Council, headlined the event, which showcased the work of the Vermont Women’s Business Center in supporting women entrepreneurs to successfully start and grow business ventures.

The Vermont Women’s Business Center, a project of CVCAC and an SBA resource partner, is a statewide network of business development services and support and for women at all income levels seeking to start or grow a business.

“The Vermont Women’s Business Center is a real force for Vermont’s economic development,” says Secretary of State Markowitz, who has served on the VWBC Advisory Council since its founding. “Often women starting up a business are juggling many demands on their time and attention. Working with peers and getting coaching from trusted business counselors can make the start-up and expansion process easier and more successful. I know firsthand that Vermont’s women entrepreneurs benefit from the Vermont Women’s Business Center, and we all benefit when small businesses prosper.”

Linda Ingold, Director of the Vermont Women’s Business Center, noted that Vermont is a national leader in women’s entrepreneurship, with the second-highest rate of women’s business ownership. Featured at the breakfast were VWBC clients Mary Claire Carroll, Carroll Photos; Sue Bette, Burlington’s Bluebird Tavern; and Laura Jenkins, Laura's Hair Frenzy in Rutland.

Visit the VWBC Website. Left: Mary Johnson, VWBC Counselor; Doreen Allen, Merchant's Bank, VWBC Advisory Council Member; Linda Ingold, VWBC Director.

We're celebrating local food and community on the statehouse lawn in downtown Montpelier on August 15 starting at 4:30pm.  There will be local food, lawn games, music and art at this family oriented community picnic.  BYOPB (Bring your own picnic blanket).  All proceeds benefit the Vermont Foodbank--an important partner in CVCAC's emergency food shelves well stocked! Learn more from the Vermont Fresh Network.

Vermont Green is underway!  With nearly $5 million in support from US Department of Labor, this energy training partnership is bringing together private and public partners to work directly with job seekers to be trained and secure employment in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors.  “The ‘green’ sector of the economy offers a tremendous opportunity for Vermont,” notes David Rubin, CVCAC's Director of Workforce Development. “We want to make sure Vermonters workers can get the training they need, and Vermont employers can re-train their employees, so we can grow these good jobs in our state.”  Vermont Green career development counselors are working with workers statewide to upgrade their skills and find opportunities in green job fields.  Read More in Vermont Business Magazine or learn more on CVCAC's website.

 

 

CVCAC's Build Your Money Muscles is being offered in Barre again this summer!  This ongoing group can help you improve your relationship with money, increase your cash flow and experience financial security.  Find the support you need to develop healthy financial habits and create a more abundant lifestyle.  Stop financial self-sabotage and make money a positive force in your life!  The 5-part Build Your Money Muscles group series will run Monday evenings 6-8pm July 19, 26 and August 9, 16, 23.  Call 476-8493 for more information. 

Download the flyer.

Read more about CVCAC's Credit Building work.

CVCAC's Kym Maynard was honored on June 17th as the Vermont and New England 2010 Home-Based Business Champion by the U.S. Small Business Administration at a ceremony presented by Vermont Business Magazine in Shelburne, Vermont. Maynard was selected based on business development assistance she provides to home-based art and craft entrepreneurs on site at the Local Agricultural Community Exchange (LACE) in downtown, Barre, VT.   As a CVCAC Micro Business Development specialist, she provides technical assistance relevant to the particular needs of this sector including managing inventory, pricing, display and marketing.  Because she has been a home-based artisan and business owner (jeweler), she is a tireless advocate for these businesses.  She sees the value that they bring to the lives of the owners; she knows that the jobs and income they create for their families and communities have real impact.  As the award recognizes, Kym's work is improving the climate for home-based businesses across Vermont and New England.

Find out more about the LACE Gallery. Read the Full Release on the local SBA page.