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802-479-0167
Fax: 802-479-2867
P.O. Box 342
107 N. Main Street, Suite 7
Barre, VT 05641
E:mail: info
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Images Courtesy of
Image Relay |
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Images Courtesy of
Image Relay
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Community Capital Fall 2006 E-Newsletter
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An Alternative Financing Source
for Vermont Entrepreneurs
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In This Issue
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Borrower Websites
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Greetings!
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From Emily Kaminsky, Fund Manager
Our third installment of our e- newsletter is for "Fall 2006". We skipped a few months due to the unprecedented loan activity we have had this year! If you are receiving this email for the first time, welcome and please invite others to subscribe by forwarding this email along or clicking the "sign-up" button to the left.
This issue, meet a Community Captial borrower who is designing websites for Vermont's entrepreneurs "bit by bit" - Ivey Hardy of Web-bits.com. We also highlight our Northwest Loan Committee members, the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, and welcome Marian Boudreault - our new Administrative Assistant!
Finally, check out some Borrower websites on the left panel of this email to learn about their businesses and what they offer!
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 Community Capital is pleased to introduce Ivey Hardy of Waitsfield, VT – sole owner of Web-Bits.com, a web design company offering unique, creative, and affordable web design services to small businesses.
How did Ivey decide to start his own business? “Following an unexpected layoff, I worked on a small marketing project for a local business,” he answers. “As part of the project, I realized how many people in Vermont worked for themselves – a very high percentage of companies were one to three people. As the project came to a close the subject of having a web site came up and I said to myself I can do that – easy.” Ivey is no stranger to the field of marketing nor to being self-employed. He has an extensive marketing background and previous self- employment experience, having owned two companies in the past, both in the visual and musical arts.
How did Ivey find Community Capital? “After some investigation, and support from the Micro Business Development Program at Central Vermont Community Action,” Ivey reports, “it was clear that my skills and the target audience were a match.” Once he completed his business plan, Ivey was referred to Community Capital for a small loan and was successful! Ivey is currently working on revamping Community Capital’s website which we hope to unveil at the beginning of the new year!
Click here to link to view Ivey's website...
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Community Capital loan decisions are made around the State by a network of five volunteer loan committees. Last issue, we highlighted the central Vermont loan committee. This issue, it's the Northwest loan committee:
- Peter Hood - Owner, Noyle W. Johnson Insurance Company, Community Capital Board Member and Treasurer
- Hibbard Doe - Regional Manager for St. Albans and Newport District Offices, Vocational Rehabilitation
- Andy Jones - Farm Manager, Intervale Community Farm, Burlington
- Joe O'Brien - Owner, Film Buzz, Richmond
- Heather Cruickshank - Branch President, Merchants Bank, College Street, Burlington
When asked what they like most about their role as a Community Capital Loan Committee member, Hib said, "Community Capital is important because it gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to enrich our community with goods and services and especially targets individuals who traditional lenders an unable to. VocRehab Vermont, the group I work for, assists those in the community who live with disabilities to find and maintain employment. As a Loan Committee member, I can advocate for the unique needs of this population and can appreciate their incredible desire to improve their lives through self employment." Andy Jones comments, "Businesses need lenders that believe in them, and I'm very pleased to have a role helping creative Vermonters seek their dreams."
Thanks to the service of these five individuals, Community Capital has a vital connection to businesses in Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, and Addison Counties and an "on-the-ground" presence which enables to drum up new business and make good loan decisions. Thank you volunteers!
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Community Capital's 2nd Annual Benefit Golf Tournament, held on September 29th at the Northfield Country Club, was successful despite the rain! We were able to raise $2,300 to benefit Community Capital.
This year, due to the rain, we held a "putt-off" for prizes. Prizes included gift certificates from many of our borrowers including Sundara Day Spa in Berlin and Sean & Nora's Restaurant in Barre.
Following the putt-off, Team Community National Bank braved the course to play a full 9-hole game! They received the bravery award and will be the team to beat for next year! Many thanks to our sponsors which included: Noyle W. Johnson Insurance, Community National Bank, Onion River Sports, Vermont Concrete Cutting, George & Koch Dental Associates, Tri-State Basement Services, Barre Electric & Lighting Supply, Fewer Insurance, Gallagher, Flynn & Company LLP, J.A. Morrissey, Inc., Northfield Savings Bank, Merchants Bank, and Central Vermont Community Action Council.
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Staff and board alike would like to welcome Marian Boudreault to the Community Capital team. Marian started with us late August 2006 in the position of Administrative Assistant. She comes to us with a diverse background which includes real estate and owning her own cleaning business!
Marian works behind the scenes, servicing the loan portfolio, preparing loan documents, and supporting the loan officers. Without her, Community Capital would not be able to support statewide growth.
Welcome aboard, Marian!
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This year is a record year for Community Capital as we are quickly approaching the $600,000 lending mark for the year, double any previous years in our history. Kudos to the Loan Officer staff for bringing us through the year with such success and many thanks to our partners who have referred business our way.
Sincerely,
Emily Kaminsky
Community Capital of Vermont
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If you have news that you would like featured in any of our upcoming e-newsletters, please contact me at 802-479-0167 or [email protected]. Until next time...
Sincerely,
Emily Kaminsky , Community Capital of Vermont
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