Industrial Recruitment and Finance

CI acts as agent for See It Made, a unique commercial park located in historic Windsor, VT.   See It Made is part industrial park, part theme park, part natural science center, part retail shopping center all located on 85 acres immediately accessible to Interstate 91. Current businesses located in the park are Harpoon Brewery and Simon Pearce Glassblowing.

Breaking ground for Vermont Castings building with former governor, Howard Dean

Simon Pearce Glassblowing is a Vermont success story.  Started in Quechee, VT, it was the first business to locate in what is now known as See It Made in 1992.  In 1995 it was ready to expand.  CI packaged the public sector financing for the project and provided the company with technical assistance in securing additional public and private funding.

Vermont Castings, Bethel, VT: Before forming CI, principal Jill Michaels served as Executive Director for Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation.  During that time, Vermont Castings was looking for a new corporate headquarters and considering locating in New Hampshire.  Ms. Michaels developed a public-private financing package that kept the company in Vermont and has served since then as a model for industrial development recruitment and financing throughout the state.

Other Projects: CI has also developed financing for a wide variety of Vermont companies including Ben and Jerry's Rockingham facility, Vermont Pure Springs, Bread and Chocolate, Concepts ETI, Bradford Veneer Mill, and Blue Mountain Lumber.

Revolving Loan Funds

The Partnership Fund: CI provided the assistance needed by Colchester CDC to develop The Partnership Fund, a small business RLF serving the Vermont Towns of Colchester and Essex and the City of Winooski.  The Fund is capitalized with paybacks from a community developoment block grant-financed loan to a for-profit business.  CI wrote the Fund guidelines and provided organizational development and technical assistance.

Vermont Economic Development Authority RLFs: CI worked for the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) to secure funds from the USDA Intermediary Relending Program for the Vermont Job Start program.  CI also researched and developed a fundraising plan for the Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund.

Connecticut River Valley Revolving Loan Fund (CRV/RLF): CI principal Jill Michaels was co-founder and first president of the Connecticut River Valley Revolving Loan Fund (CRV/RLF).  She secured capital for the RLF, wrote the RLF guidelines, and developed the organizational structure.