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Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) Business Services Intern

BDCC
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2026 BDCC Business Services Internship 

This position is part of a cohort of 10 UVM summer interns working with organizations that support the Brattleboro community, including resettled New Americans, in partnership with the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp and the School for International Training (SIT). The UVM Leahy Institute for Rural
Partnerships will fund a stipend of $4,000 per intern and provide housing at the SIT campus in Brattleboro,
Vermont.
 

  • This is a 20-hour-per-week internship with the following components:
    • 15 hours per week: Primary internship as described in this posting
    • 2 hours per week: Collaborative work with other cohort members to support the New Vermonter Education Program’s ESL instruction and program activities, providing additional hands-on experience
      working with refugees in an educational setting
    • 3 hours per week: Weekly intern cohort workshops focused on professional development, networking,and reflection, including a community orientation and a final sharing event in August 2026

      Questions about the cohort? Contact UVM Internship Coordinator kristen.andrews@uvm.edu 

a. Overview
i. Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC) is Southeastern Vermont’s private, nonprofit rural Economic Development Organization (EDO). We work to ensure that people, businesses, and communities thrive across our region, which includes Windham County and the towns of Readsboro, Searsburg, Weston, and Winhall.

OUR MISSION: The primary objective of the BDCC is to invest in the drivers of the regional economy so that people, businesses, and communities in Southern Vermont can thrive. 

BDCC is affiliated with the State of Vermont as the certified Regional Development Corporation (RDC) serving the greater Windham County area. BDCC is one of 12 RDCs throughout Vermont.
ii. Depict your company culture, values, and work environment

OUR VISION: People who love Southern Vermont have opportunities to thrive here.

With a can-do mindset and a deep understanding of rural realities, BDCC serves as a catalyst for economic success:

  • We support businesses of all sizes through bold financing, real estate opportunities, technical assistance, and workforce development programs that empower the next generation of workers and leaders.
  • We foster strong partnerships across local, state, and federal levels, driving initiatives like the Southern Vermont Economy Project, the Instig8 business support program, and the Southern Vermont Economy Summit.

Our nationally recognized, data-driven approach strengthens the regional economy and builds lasting prosperity for Southeastern Vermont. BDCC supports a thriving future for Southeastern Vermont, where people live, work, and do business successfully.

The 2026 Business Services Internship will support regional business retention, ecosystem coordination, and program development efforts. This role is ideal for a student or emerging professional interested in economic development, entrepreneurship, and community-based business support.

  • Assist in Business Outreach Support
    Assist with scheduling, preparing for, and following up on calls with local businesses. Research needs that arise from small business engagements that they or other staff members have attended and develop information to send back to businesses that is easy to read, factually accurate and ready to send.
  • Process Documentation for BRE and STRIVE Program 
    Capture notes, organize shared files, and help draft internal process guides or SOPs.
  • Program Development Tasks
    Draft flyers, onboarding materials, slideshows or FAQ documents for business programs that the intern can then use for a work portfolio after the experience.
  • Team Check-ins
    Join regular staff or supervisor meetings to set priorities, share progress, and get feedback as needed.
     


iii. How Interning at Our Organization Can Be a Meaningful Learning Experience

This internship offers hands-on experience in economic development, small business engagement, and program operations.

Interns will work directly on improving how we conduct small business outreach and track engagement. They will learn how Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) and entrepreneurship support programs operate behind the scenes — from initial outreach calls to follow-up resources and internal process documentation.

A core part of this experience is learning how to talk with business owners. Interns will help schedule and prepare for outreach calls, assist with follow-up communications, and research solutions to business challenges. This provides real-world exposure to:

  • How small businesses operate and make decisions
  • Common financial, operational, and workforce challenges businesses face
  • How economic development organizations respond with resources and support
  • Professional communication across sectors
  • Interns will also gain experience in program development by drafting onboarding materials, flyers, FAQs, and internal process guides. They will see how strong systems, documentation, and communication tools strengthen regional business programs.

This is an especially meaningful learning opportunity for students interested in:

  • Economic development
  • Community development
  • Business or entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Public policy
  • Nonprofit or regional planning work

Interns leave with practical skills in outreach, professional communication, research, process design, and program development; all highly transferable across business and public sector careers.

b. Skills We Are Looking For

i. Areas of Interest or Experience

We are looking for interns who are genuinely interested in:

  • Economic development and rural regional growth
  • Small business operations and entrepreneurship
  • Business systems and process improvement
  • Finance or business fundamentals
  • Community-based work
  • Program development and communications

Prior experience in these areas is helpful but not required. A strong interest in learning how to engage directly with business owners is essential.

ii. Abilities That Would Help the Intern Be Successful

The most important quality for this role is a willingness to talk to people, especially business owners and not be afraid of the phone.

Successful interns will demonstrate:

  • Comfort initiating and participating in phone calls and professional conversations
  • Curiosity about how businesses work
  • Ability to listen carefully and summarize key information
  • Strong written communication skills (clear, accurate, easy-to-read follow-up materials)
  • Attention to detail when capturing notes 
  • Ability to research and synthesize information into usable resources
  • Organizational skills and comfort working within shared file systems
  • Reliability and ability to meet deadlines
  • Openness to feedback and regular team check-ins