Business Resources

Valuable Resources for your Business

• VT Farm to Plate has compiled a collection of resources to support businesses during COVID-19. This list includes funding/insurance, mentoring/matchmaking, food safety, technical assistance, and more.
• UVM Extensions New Farmers Project - Here is a list of COVID-19 Information for Farmers and Food Producers
• VtSBDC Financial Resiliency Resources - The Vermont Small Business Development Center has developed new guidance for businesses as they manage the financial impact of COVID-19.
  • Business Lending 1501 highlights the SBA funding opportunities available now as well as Vermont-specific resources. It includes guidance on the SBA application process and a checklist of financial documents needed to apply.
  • The Self-Guided Assessment: Business Cash Flow tool helps businesses assess current cash flow, profit and loss, debt service, and expenses to give a fuller understanding of how loans might impact cash flow.
  • VtSBDC has created a 72-page Disaster Recovery Guide and workbook containing all the steps needed post-disaster to create the most successful and sustainable outcome for Vermont’s businesses.
• Food Export has Virtual & Online Services available. They offer export education and market development services that can be done online and do not involve travel including: Virtual Consultation, Lead Qualification Market Research, and more.
• Venture 7 Advisors - shares a blog post on Protecting your company in a crisis: “No one knows how long this health crisis and its economic aftermath will last. The speed and scale of these developments is like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The speed and scale of your business response should be commensurate.” Venture 7 Advisors offer some time sensitive business survival recommendations to implement now.
• In her recent Food Biz Wiz™Podcast, retail expert Allison Ball of Allison Ball Consulting discusses the state of the CPG industry and how producers can respond and adapt to change during the COVID-10 Crisis. Listen to Episode 35: Adapting to Change: How to Move Forward in CPG.
• Molly Goodyear of 802Social prepared an introduction to, and tips on how to utilize, Facebook and Instagram for your business as you respond to this pandemic. Find her guide here on the VRGA website and watch the webinar here.
• The national Specialty Food Association is providing a series of webinars for the specialty food industry related to COVID-19. These webinars are free to the public - Guests may need to create a username and password in order to add webinars to cart, but you do not need to be a member to do so. Once you add a webinar to cart, an access link will become available on the webpage for download. Find and access the list of webinars available here.
• Shipping Services
  • Unishippers of Burlington, VT is a locally owned and operated association of over 300,000 individual companies, nationwide, who have combined their shipping needs to qualify for the deep discounts that very large corporate accounts qualify for. Unishippers is a full service shipping company offering custom, reduced rate, shipping options. They offer a large selection of proven and reliable carriers like UPS for your small packages and over 35 freight carriers for heavier freight. As professional shipping consultants, Unishippers creates completely individualized shipping solutions for our customers.
    
    • Please note: Unishippers is offering discounted rates to VRGA or VSFA members.
    • View their Company Brochure and this UPS Express & Ground Services document for further information.
    • To learn more visit unishippers.com or contact Len Rubin at 802-862-4889 or email len.rubin@Unishippers.com.

Vermont Mentor Programs and Services

• One-to-one Free Consultations for Farm and Forest Businesses - If your farm or forest business is under pressure due to COVID-19 disruptions, UVM Extension Ag Business Program educators are available for coaching and can assist with locating resources."We can help with critical business decision-making, assessing changes to markets, financial planning and other issues facing your enterprises," says Ag Business Specialist Mark Cannella. Email newfarmer@uvm.edu to get started, or use this listing to connect directly with one of the educators whose focus matches your priorities.
• Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) - Their Manufacturing Advisors are available for free remote crisis response consultations. Some specific and immediate services VMEC can provide include Support and Problem Solving, Supply Chain, Re-deployment of Resources and/or Re-Tooling and Manufacturer Connections (MXVT.org) and much more; visit their COVID-19 Resource page or contact at (802) 728-1432 or vmec@vmec.org.
  • VMEC Live Forums - Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center has been hosting live forums focused on resources and learning to safely restart operations as effectively and efficiently as possible. VMEC’s previous COVID-19 Forums include: Reopening Plans (May 1), Safety and Training Plans (May 6), Return to Work Scenarios (May 13). Find their recorded sessions here: MXVT.org.
• SCORE VT - Support and mentoring are fully available remotely via video, phone, and email. Right now SCORE Mentors are tackling the triage processes for both HR-related business functions and finance/cash flow-related functions. They have 2 separate teams available to provide mentoring assistance for those situations. The rest of their volunteer base will handle the non-emergency mentoring clients and cases. If you don't already have a SCORE mentor, click here or call the office at 802-764-5899 to request one.
• Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) - Their team of experienced advisors are located throughout the state and are ready to assist you. Advising is confidential and provided at no-cost. To get started, find your Area Business Advisor.

Online Resource Series in VT

• Food Safety for Food Processors Podcasts: Interviews with Vermont food manufacturers capturing their response to the impact of COVID-19 on their companies. These companies share some practices they've implemented to adjust to these unique circumstances and keep manufacturing companies open. They've spoken to VSFA members Fat Toad Farm, Hidden Springs Maple, Slopeside Syrup, Bove's of Vermont, and Lake Champlain Chocolates.
• The Center for Sustainable Agriculture: Provides an Online Conversation Series: Sourcing & Selling Vermont Food in the Time of COVID-19. Find past and current webinars on Direct Sales, eCommerce & Agritourism for Vermont Farms, Getting Started with Online Sales, and more.

Online Vermont Business Directories

Vermonters are banding together to provide business directories for consumers. Check out the below options for listing your business and offerings.

• Made in Vermont Marketplace - While the 2020 Made in Vermont Marketplace has been canceled, they have launched a Virtual Marketplace, a streamlined platform for exhibitors to link their website for online ordering, content, and more for consumers to browse and buy exhibitor products prior to their Fall event.
• Love Vermont -This is a new online directory of Vermont businesses who may be offering online gift certificates, but can also be supported through take-out meals, online shopping options, and/or other simple support options. They hope this resource will help mobilize loyal customers looking to provide much-needed support to their favorite local businesses.
• VT Department of Tourism - has created a Virtual Vermont section on their website and are looking for additional content! Think virtual tours, livestream animal cams, recipes using made in Vermont products, or any other unique way you are engaging with your customers online. Please email sara.defilippi@vermont.gov if have any content that you would like to submit for consideration.