Vermont's Business Assistance Team
Our economic development team is just a call or email away.
We’re here to assist your business and can direct you toward the many state programs and incentives that help businesses thrive.
In addition, the Vermont Legislature and the office of Governor Phil Scott are some of the most easily accessible political bodies in the nation. State and local chambers of commerce as well as regional development centers are positioned around Vermont in an effort to assist businesses with any other problem that arises.
Captive Insurance
Brownfields Remediation & Northern Border Program
Government Contracting
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Vermont Training Program (VTP)
Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development
Businesses Relocation & Expansion
Entrepreneurship & Tech Commercialization
Captive Insurance
Brownfields Remediation & Northern Border Program
Government Contracting
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Vermont Training Program (VTP)
Deputy Commissioner of Economic Development
Businesses Relocation & Expansion
Entrepreneurship & Tech Commercialization
Captive Insurance
Brownfields Remediation & Northern Border Program
Brett Long
Vermont Department of Economic Development
As Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Economic Development, Brett oversees the Department’s economic development and workforce programs, including business recruitment. Brett also manages a grant from the US Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation that helps defense-related businesses across New England develop new capabilities.
(802) 461-9353
Tim Tierney
Director of Business Recruitment & International Trade
Tim oversees the Vermont Global Trade Partnership, helping businesses broaden the reach of products and exports. He works with trade partners to boost foreign investment within Vermont and helps regional development directors encourage business growth. Tim serves as a member of the State International Development Organizations and the Eastern Trade Council.
(802) 505-5496
Nick Grimley
Director of Entrepreneurship & Tech Commercialization
Nick’s work drives entrepreneurship and tech commercialization in Vermont. A co-founder of LaunchVT, Nick brings entrepreneurship and ecosystem building to the table. He was Director of Business Development at Vermont Teddy Bear and has a decade’s experience in risk management and problem-solving. Nick is an avid skier and fly fisherman.
(802) 798-2328
Brittany Nevins
Captive Insurance Economic Development Director
Brittany is responsible for the marketing and business development of Vermont’s captive insurance industry, working to strengthen the state’s reputation as the premier captive insurance domicile. Brittany has supported various industries and received a MA in Sustainable Development from SIT Graduate Institute and an undergraduate from the University of Vermont.
(802) 398-5192
Kristie Farnham
Director of Business Support
Kristie is the Program Manager for the State Brownfields Revitalization Fund. She also serves as the Vermont State Program Manager for the Northern Border Regional Commission. Kristie’s career in state government began in 1999. She joined our team in 2016, and is a lifelong Vermonter.
(802) 398-5268
Joanne Spaulding
Director, Vermont APEX Accelerator (Formerly VT PTAC)
Joanne has been with the Vermont APEX Accelerator (Formerly VT PTAC) since 2004, helping Vermont businesses find government contracting opportunities. Joanne is a member of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers and the Department of Defense Northeast Regional Council. Joanne lives in Central Vermont with her husband and daughters.
(802) 522-9135
Daegan Goodman
Senior Economic Development Specialist & State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Manager
Daegan manages Vermont’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant awarded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. STEP supports Vermont businesses to engage internationally, through trade missions, trade shows and export education. Vermont’s STEP objective is to increase the overall number of small business exporters and increase their export sales with a focus on relationship development, export planning, and job creation.
(802) 622-4193
John Young
Director, Vermont Training Program
John manages the Vermont Training Program, a workforce development grant program that helps businesses address needs, including training for new equipment or process changes. John visits over 100 businesses a year and facilitates 30-50 cross-sector grant applications.
A lifelong Vermonter, John grows giant pumpkins for competitions all over New England.
(802) 355-2725
Sara De Filippi
Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement
Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing
Sara De Filippi overseas the Grants for Relocation Outreach Work (GROW) program and manages the Think Vermont Regional Relocation Network, a group of partners around the state who respond to inquires from people interested in moving to Vermont via our Connect with a Vermonter form.