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Doing Business in Montpelier
Make Montpelier Your Home Base
High-speed broadband, top-rated schools, coffee shops & restaurants serving local craft beer and farm-to-table food, plus world-class entertainment right downtown...
This is Montpelier.
A creative business community with wilderness & outdoor recreation at your fingertips, Montpelier is Vermont’s place for entrepreneurs to grow and develop businesses. There has never been a better time to bring your business, its employees and their families to the capital of Vermont.
Surrounded by green hills, Montpelier's downtown is iconic and vibrant. The Capital City is home to many thriving and independent local, regional and national businesses, wonderful schools and State Government offices. Montpelier is where your next venture will grow. If you are considering a move from out of state, there are currently incentives available for working remotely in Vermont, so the rest of your family can come along too.
Whether by plane, train, or automobile, Montpelier is easily accessible to Boston, Montreal, and NYC. The Port of Boston allows for easy shipments of products and the Burlington International Airport has a variety of direct flights.
As the smallest state capital in the United States, Montpelier's population is just under 8,000. Located in the Central Vermont region, Montpelier contributes over one-third of the 32,000 jobs in this region, pulling workforce from surrounding communities.
Fueling Montpelier’s Future: Small Business Development Grant Program-Fall, 2025
Montpelier Alive, with support from M&T Bank, has launched the Small Business Development Grant Program to help entrepreneurs bring new businesses to downtown Montpelier. Grants ranging from $1,000–$4,500 are available to support startup costs for businesses planning to open within the next two years. In addition to funding, recipients will receive access to mentorship, marketing, and financial guidance.
Grant recipients were selected by a review committee composed of Montpelier Alive board members, downtown business owners, M&T Bank representatives, and small business development professionals. In total, nine applications were submitted, each presenting a strong and creative business concept.
“We are excited to welcome new businesses to Montpelier,” said Katie Trautz, Executive Director of Montpelier Alive. “While our community has faced challenges, we are focused on the opportunities ahead. Supporting new and expanding businesses is a critical part of ensuring a vibrant downtown.”
Each $3,000 grant is intended to assist with startup and early-stage business expenses. 2025’s grant recipients include:
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Shannon Bates, owner of the popular downtown lunch and gelato shop Enna, who plans to open a seafood and meat market on State Street.
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Gavin Boyles, who is preparing to launch a bouldering and fitness gym in Montpelier.
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Eltayeb Awadalla, owner of Mobitec on Main Street, who plans to open a handcrafted leather goods retail shop downtown.
“At M&T Bank, we believe that thriving communities start with strong local businesses,” said Kathy Schirling, Vice President, Senior Regional Program Officer, M&T Charitable Foundation. “This program reflects our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and revitalizing downtown Montpelier. By investing in small businesses, we’re helping create opportunities, strengthen the local economy, and ensure that our communities remain vibrant and resilient for years to come.”
Montpelier Alive plans to offer another round of small business development grants in 2026, with the goal of continuing to support new entrepreneurs, strengthen existing businesses, and retain local enterprises in the downtown district.
“We’re grateful to M&T Bank for their partnership in strengthening Montpelier’s small business ecosystem,” Trautz added. “By working together, we can ensure that our downtown remains a thriving and welcoming place for everyone.”
How We Can Help
- Hosting business planning events and workshops
- Connection to business advisory services and technical assistance
- Assistance with city permitting process and coordination with local officials
- Identification of available real estate and connections to local property owners and brokers
- Provide connections to local financing options
- Promotion of events and business announcements
9,304The number of people who work in Montpelier |
56%The proportion of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher |
$65,668The median household income in Montpelier City. |
Top Industries by Employment
- Finance & Insurance
- Retail Trade
- Health Care & Social Assistance
- Professional & Technical Services
- Other Services, except Public Administration
Top Industries by Proportion of Total Employment
Top Employers
- National Life Group
- State of Vermont
- Vermont Mutual Insurance Group
- Union Mutual of Vermont Companies
- Northfield Savings Bank
- Vermont State Employees Credit Union
- Capitol Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
- Vermont College of Fine Arts