Welcome to Montpelier Grant Program

Montpelier Alive and the Montpelier Development Corporation announce the Welcome to Montpelier Program. The Welcome to Montpelier Program provides wraparound support for new Montpelier businesses, including technical support, promotional opportunities, a business mentor, and special funding opportunities.  BIPOC and women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications to join the program opened as of March 1, 2021 and will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Through our partnership with the Center for Women and Enterprise, businesses in the Welcome to Montpelier program will be paired with a business counselor who will provide business planning assistance and prepare businesses to open and thrive. After working with the counselor,  any business with a solid business plan and approved as “ready” by the business advisors will become eligible to apply for a Welcome to Montpelier Grant.

Who can apply?
Any business that is new to Montpelier is eligible to apply for the Welcome to Montpelier Program. We will review all applications and determine how we can best support businesses looking to open in Montpelier. We will provide technical business assistance to any business that applies, even if they are not able to qualify for grant consideration.

What funding is available?
Businesses will first be paired with a business counselor who will  assist with business planning and provide assistance to prepare the business for opening.
The counselor will determine when the business is eligible to apply for funding. Three $5,000 grants will be made available for eligible businesses.
A selection committee, made up of members of the Montpelier community (including representatives from local financial institutions, business owners and representatives from Montpelier Alive and Montpelier Development Corporation) will convene to review each application. Grants will be awarded based on a series of criteria that examine business viability and fit for Montpelier. The selection committee will meet quarterly to review applications.

Grant recipients will receive a $5,000 cash award, one year of free membership in Montpelier Alive ($150+ value), and be paired with a business mentor. Grantees will also continue to work with their business counselor
to ensure continued success.

Learn more and apply here.