VCET opened in June 2005 under the vision and efforts of U.S. Senator Patrick J. Leahy, the Vermont Technology Council and the University of Vermont. Today, VCET is a leading-edge technology incubator serving all of Vermont under a mandate to increase technology startups and accelerate next generation job creation for this generation of Vermonters. VCET offers a targeted business incubator program designed to foster the success of high opportunity technology firms by providing firms with substantive business mentoring along with traditional incubator services such as low cost, flexible office space, shared resources, capital, networking, and training. VCET is an independent 501 c (3) public benefit corporation in affiliation with the University of Vermont and partners with Norwich University, Middlebury College, Champlain College, and the five Vermont State Colleges.

Across the nation, RLFs are working to help small manufacturers continue to make goods, provide jobs, and contribute to local and regional economies. A study by the Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) found that small manufacturers seek capital for facility expansion, equipment purchase, refinancing and general working capital.

Welcome: Misty Casto, Executive Director, Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (OH)

Speaker: Doug O’Brien, Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, USDA

Speaker: Sean Esten, Financial Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island EDC

Speaker: Alan Singer, Lending Director, Franklin County CDC (MA)

Moderator: Erik Pages, President, EntreWorks Consulting (VA)

A research team assembled by RUPRI is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to better understand issues related to capital access in rural America. The project is designed to achieve the following three objectives:

• To provide USDA with a more detailed understanding of the capital market system in rural America and how it supports business development, job and wealth creation
• To provide insights into effective models that support innovation within the system to improve rural business outcomes, including job and wealth creation
• To provide evidence-based policy recommendations that support the creation or scaling of innovations that improve rural business outcomes

Speaker: Erik Pages, President, EntreWorks Consulting (VA)

Learn successful tips for evaluating business plans and financial statements, and get an understanding of the red flags that signal potential trouble that can be avoided. This session will benefit those new to the small business lending world and will be a great refresher for those more “seasoned” loan fund managers.

Speaker: Pat Brennen, North Central PA RP&DC

Moderator: Mike Burress, Lincoln Trail ADD (KY)

This session will illustrate how the seven forms of wealth tool is being used to assist business development in rural communities and regions. Yellow Wood Associates has been working with The Ford Foundation on a national initiative to share the concepts with a broad audience; NADO has also been working with The Ford Foundation in targeted areas of the country to test the approaches that regional development organizations are employing with regard to rural wealth creation.

Speaker: Melissa Levy, Senior Associate, Yellow Wood Associates

Moderator: Holly Quinn, Business Loan Specialist, Northeast Nebraska EDD

Learn how businesses benefit from strategic and practical loan servicing (before, during, and after the lending decision is made), and the importance of a solid technical assistance plan aimed at meeting their needs.

Speaker: Sean Esten, Financial Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island EDC

Moderator: Jeff Christensen, Business Loan Specialist, Northeast Nebraska EDD

A hallmark of the Economic Development Finance Service (EDFS) is cultivation of a practitioner network that provides an environment for learning – during conferences and events, but also through electronic information sharing and exchange.

Rapid round robin presentations from small business lending programs that are using creative strategies to meet the needs of clients, resulting in job retention and creation, business growth and contributing to regional economic vitality. Group discussion will follow the round robin presentations, with a focus on ways to build programs that streamline operations while also meeting client needs. Participants will be encouraged to participate in a facilitated discussion about ways to overcome barriers and challenges to meeting the needs of small businesses in their regions.

Facilitator: Erik Pages, President, EntreWorks Consulting (VA

This session will offer insights into what auditors are looking for, and how you can prepare your organization to sail through the process. Topics to be covered include considerations for audits while calculating loan loss reserves, making loan confirmations, engaging in management discussions and analysis write-ups, and accrued interest receivables.

Speaker: Carol Jackson, Comptroller, Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council

Moderator: Adam Quinlan, Financial Portfolio Manager, Rhode Island EDC

The current battle over deficit reduction continues to dominate the federal decision making process, and encompasses all programs including those that fund your lending programs. The funding decisions being made right now will impact our nation for decades to come. Conference participants will learn about the latest federal legislative and policy developments and the budget and appropriations outlook for the year ahead, with an emphasis on the various small business loan fund programs that you all manage.

Speaker: Deborah Cox, Director of Government Relations and Legislative Affairs, NADO

Moderator: Russ Cowley, President, NADO, and Executive Director, Six County AOG

This session will provide examples of technical assistance programs and strategies that are being implemented to help businesses not only re-pay their loans, but succeed in their communities.

Speaker: Linda Rossi, Associate State Director, VT Small Business Development Center

Moderator: Paulette Potter, Loan Program Manager, Northern Tier RP&DC (NY)

This session is an outstanding opportunity to hear the latest program updates from the funding agencies and to get answers to your program questions.

Speaker: Darcy Carter, District Director, SBA VT

Speaker: Michael DeVillo, Program Analyst, EDA

Speaker: Joshua Hanford, Director, State of Vermont, HUD

Speaker: David Robinson, Business Program Director, USDA Rural Development VT/NH

Speaker: Kyle Wilber, ARC Program Manager, NY State