Vermont Business Magazine The Rotary Club of Middlebury has announced a $10,000 donation to Kick Start Middlebury, a pilot program spearheaded by the Better Middlebury Partnership (BMP) and other community organizations aimed at attracting new businesses to Middlebury.
Launched in March, the Kick Start Middlebury program is a business recruitment tool that offers cash and business support as an incentive to open or relocate a business in Middlebury, Vermont. The packages are valued at more than $15,000 and will be available to businesses chosen by an independent panel of stakeholders comprised of local business owners, community members and economic development organizations.
“As soon as we heard about this opportunity, we knew that we wanted to be involved,” said Club President Maureen Conrad. “We have had a long history of supporting non-profit organizations through our grant and donation programs and with the challenges of COVID-19 and the downtown construction project, we have been looking for ways to also assist the business community which has always been so supportive of us. We are hopeful that our gift will inspire other civic organizations to participate in this unique opportunity.” The Rotary Club of Middlebury annually coordinates a number of service projects and activities focused on improving lives in the community.
BMP Executive Director Karen Duguay says that Kick Start Middlebury is intended to be a catalyst for future growth and economic development. “Filling empty storefronts and other spaces is essential to bringing economic vitality and energy back to Middlebury,” she said.
Kick Start Middlebury is made possible with funds allocated from the Middlebury Business Development Fund through the Town of Middlebury. Originally, the program was slated to award three to four businesses with the grant package of cash and support services; the Rotary’s donation will allow an additional business to be awarded through the process.
“The financial support from the Rotary Club of Middlebury is a clear example of what can happen when we work collaboratively toward a shared community goal,” says Duguay. For more info about Middlebury Rotary, including membership information, please visit Middleburyrotary.org.
Letters of interest for the program funds are due to [email protected] no later than April 9, 2021. More information can be found on the website: kickstartmiddlebury.com.
Source: (Middlebury, Vt.)—The Rotary Club of Middlebury 3.30.2021