The third annual Business Plan Competition, offered by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), came to a grand finale on March 12, 2008. This year's competition included two entry categories and multiple prizes totaling $50,000. All new and existing businesses entering the competition had to be located in BDCC's designated region of Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, and Weston, Vermont.

• For the Existing Business category, the top prize is $20,000, with each finalist receiving $1,000.
• For the New Business category, the top prize is $10,000, with each finalist receiving $1,000.

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.

Read about 2006 winners and the 2007 winners.

Learn more about the competition and its schedule, eligibility, rules, registration, judging, and free resources.

To contact BDCC for more information please call 802-257-7731 or email us at bdcc@sover.net.