BRATTLEBORO — BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation announced the winner of the 2022 Windham County Economic Development Program (WCEDP) Business Plan Competition via webinar on Jan. 14.
WCEDP Council members joined a panel of judges, representatives from Vermont's Department of Economic Development, and BDCC's business team in congratulating Dena Moses, owner of Vermont Weaving Supplies, and her growing team on their win.
The judges who served on the panel were unaffiliated with BDCC and included Brian Holt, co-owner, 1a Coffee; Leda Scheintaub, co-owner, Dosa Kitchen; Andrew Rackear, entrepreneur; Ellen Capy, founder, Mocha Joe's; Peter Carvell, senior commercial banking officer, Brattleboro Savings & Loan; and Michael Alexander, owner, Recycle Away.
Fifteen companies applied for the competition, which began in September 2021, with six submitting final business plans.
“We'd like to commend all of the contestants for their hard work and the high quality of their submissions,” Eyad Salha, BDCC's Business Technical Assistance Provider, said in a news release.
During the webinar, Moses provided an overview of her winning business plan and vision for growing her company, located in Putney.
“Whether or not I had won, the process of analyzing different parts of my business and putting together a plan has been critical,” Moses said, adding that her business was built on her 25 years of experience as a weaver, trainer, and supplier, but it took off in new ways during the pandemic.
As winner, Moses will receive a $20,000 cash grant, $5,000 from Amazon Web Services, and technical assistance from Vermont Manufacturing Extension and BDCC. To receive the full award, funds must be used to reach milestones outlined in the business plan within one year.