Garden Mats, Worcester, Vermont

"Wouldn't that be great?  Well, again, without the expertise and assistance of the SBDC, I believe we would be in a lot more trouble than we think we are today.  For example, my business would not even be here.  And many others would not be as well."  ~Peter Comart 

As the owner and founder of one of Vermont's best new products, I can honestly say Garden Mats would not be here today if it were not for the SBDC.  Without going into the details, it is support for small businesses like ours that help stabilize the economy, provide new jobs, and provide an incredible network of support that goes way beyond just the SBDC, but with all the SBDC's affiliate organizations, banks, State Agencies, community leaders, and last, but certainly not least, other businesses.  

Think of it systemically.  Every business that the SBDC touches, touches hundreds of other businesses, and they in turn touch others.  The ripple effect from assisting just one business, that's right, just one business - and assuming that they do it well - assisting that one business at the right time and in the right way -- over time, that assistance can significantly change and benefit a local economy and even the State's economy.   I have seen it in other places at other times.  Many of us have.  That's why I am here today.  I was one of the first patrons at Ben and Jerry's when it opened.  The SBDC assisted them.  I worked at Vermont Castings in its heyday.  The SBDC assisted them.

For two years Garden Mats has provided part-time employment for people that live in Worcester, as our way to support the local economy.  And if all continues to go well in the next year, those jobs will turn into full-time jobs year round.  And in a few years hopefully we will employ ten or twenty people year round.