Doing Business In The Islands

Grand Isle County's Regional Development Corporation is co-located with the Islands Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Board is comprised of leaders of the region's businesses, local government and the community. The most recent Strategic Plan for Economic Development was completed in 2004. The Plan highlights areas of potential economic growth opportunities, and identifies infrastructure needed for the economy to grow.

Grand Isle County is the home of hundreds of small and micro businesses, as well as a fully permitted Business Park in Alburgh for light manufacturing and a privately owned industrial park, Island Industrial Park. Our economy is centered on tourism and agriculture, but a growing number of people are establishing home-based professional businesses, enjoying a relaxed lifestyle with easy access via the Interstate and Burlington's airport to Canada, New York State and the world, and access to high-speed Internet access.

Many small businesses in the Northwestern part of the state have been able to start and/or expand their business with financing and technical assistance provided by Federal, state and local partners including the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Vermont Economic Development Authority, the state's primary lending resource. The Small Business Development Center offers counseling to businesses at no charge. A USDA Rural Development grant helped to fund a mobile computer lab, which brings workforce training to Island communities.

Alburgh Business Park
Small Business Development Center
Regional Development Corporation of Grand Isle
Strategic Planning for Grand Isle