What Greater Burlington Industrial does

Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) is Chittenden County, Vermont's designated nonprofit economic development organization, founded in 1954 by municipal officials and civic leaders to create and retain value-added jobs in the region. The organization operates with a four-person core staff and a board of approximately twenty directors, and reports being incorporated as a Vermont-based private nonprofit. GBIC delivers free professional services to employers in Chittenden County across six core offerings: incentives advisory (VEGI, CHIP), site selection and expansion assistance (permitting and zoning), workforce development connections (VTP, BTC, CTE), financing facilitation (VEDA loans, equity capital), and statehouse advocacy. The organization also coordinates the bi-annual Regional Project Prioritization List in partnership with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, which is submitted to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD).

GBIC has no proprietary technology product; revenue is not derived from software or licensing but from municipal funding, state agency partnerships, and program administration fees. The organization holds real estate operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary Cynosure, which manages industrial property including the Catamount Industrial Park in Milton, VT. GBIC has developed seven industrial parks over its history and counts among its client outcomes BETA Technologies (420 jobs created in Williston), Burton Snowboards (global HQ relocation to Burlington), OnLogic (140,000–150,000 sq ft facility in South Burlington), and Vermont SportsCar's Milton headquarters. Customer engagement is relationship-led and consultative: staff conduct direct outreach to business leaders, on-site visits, and ongoing relationship management, with services delivered at no direct cost to the employer.

GBIC's distribution channels are analog and government-embedded: an active presence in the Vermont Statehouse, partnerships with ACCD, VEDA, VtSBDC, VCET, VMEC, and UVM, and representation on regional boards including UVM Board of Trustees, Vermont Technology Council, and Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies. Marketing surfaces include the gbicvt.org website, a monthly "60 Main Monthly" newsletter, the corporate LinkedIn page, and earned media in Vermont Business Magazine. Notable 2025 transactions include a $1,000,000 funding award from ACCD and the year-end 2025 departure of EVP Sam Andersen following 30+ years of service.

Name

Greater Burlington Industrial

Legal name

Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation

Website

https://gbicvt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) is a nonprofit economic development organization founded in 1954 that provides free services to employers in Chittenden County, Vermont, including site selection, permitting, workforce development, financing facilitation, and legislative advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

akta.pro primary industry

Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Site selection consulting
• Workforce development programs
• Business incentive programs
• Industrial park development

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Economic Development Services: GBIC operates as a nonprofit organization providing free economic development services to employers. Revenue is generated through municipal funding, state agency partnerships, and program administration fees. The organization helps businesses access Vermont incentive programs like VEGI and CHIP, with GBIC staff assisting with application preparation and project facilitation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation (GBIC) is a nonprofit economic development organization that helps employers locate, grow, and scale their businesses in the greater Burlington, Vermont area. It provides incentives advisory (VEGI, CHIP), site selection and permitting assistance, workforce development connections, financing facilitation through VEDA, and government advocacy services. All services are offered at no direct cost to employers, funded through municipal support, state partnerships, and economic development programs.

Product overview

GBIC operates as a nonprofit economic development organization offering a unified suite of services to help employers locate, grow, and scale in Chittenden County, Vermont. The organization provides Incentives Services (helping businesses apply for VEGI and CHIP programs), Site Selection & Expansion Services (permitting and zoning navigation), Workforce Development Services (connecting with VTP, BTC, and CTE programs), Financing & Capital Services (VEDA loans and equity resources), Advocacy Services (government relations), and manages the Regional Project Prioritization List (RPP) for priority economic development projects. Rather than a software product, GBIC offers coordinated professional services aimed at creating economic well-being for Vermonters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Incentives Services
• Site Selection & Expansion Services
• Workforce Development Services
• Financing & Capital Services
• Advocacy Services
• Regional Project Prioritization List (RPP)

Named customers9 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary state agency partner that 'sets the table for opportunity' by enhancing Vermont's business climate, marketing Vermont, and strengthening communities. ACCD's International Trade Division helps Vermont businesses succeed internationally. GBIC coordinates with ACCD on the Regional Project Prioritization List submission and funding decisions.
• Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVEDA provides low-interest loans to Vermont businesses for growth and job creation. GBIC works with VEDA to help employers access debt financing options. Joan Goldstein, GBIC award recipient, became CEO of VEDA in 2025.
• Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVtSBDC provides low-cost training programs and no-cost mentoring to strengthen existing businesses and grow startups. Office space is located in the GBIC building.
• Chittenden County Regional Planning CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBIC and CCRPC jointly recommend projects for the Chittenden County Regional Project Prioritization List. Charlie Baker represents CCRPC on GBIC's Board of Directors.
• Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCET provides expert business mentoring, technology networking, coworking and accelerator spaces, innovation programs, and venture capital investment. Manages $15 million in evergreen venture capital funds. David Bradbury serves as President of VCET and on GBIC's Board.
• SCORE VermontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-volunteer organization providing free mentoring to help start or grow businesses in Vermont.
• Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVermont's expert resource for small and medium-sized manufacturers, assisting with productivity, cost reduction, and new technology adoption. GBIC connects employers to VMEC services.
• Vermont Technology Council (VTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTC supports science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Vermont by connecting academic research, entrepreneurial capacity, and state government. Frank Cioffi serves on VTC's board.
• HULA LakesidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoworking campus, venture capital fund, business incubator, and events venue on the shores of Lake Champlain. HULA occupies the former Blodgett Ovens building in Burlington, a relocation facilitated by GBIC.
• Burlington Electric DepartmentcoreOthersLocal utility providing electricity service. Part of the region's low-cost energy ecosystem with the lowest cost energy in New England.
• Green Mountain PowercoreOthersRegional electricity provider serving Vermont. Contributes to Vermont's low-cost energy portfolio.
• Vermont GascoreOthersNatural gas provider contributing to Vermont's energy infrastructure.
• Patrick Leahy Burlington International AirportcoreOthersVermont's largest airport, located ten minutes from downtown Burlington. Key infrastructure asset for business travel and commerce.
• Amtrak (Vermonter Service)minorOthersAmtrak provides daily service between St. Albans and Washington DC through Burlington, supporting regional transportation connectivity.
• Green Mountain TransitminorOthersRegional bus service serving the Burlington area.
• Downs Rachlin Martin (DRM)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLaw firm providing government affairs support for Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative and Riverflow. GBIC board engaged DRM to assist DDHI Group with legislative advocacy.
• University of VermontcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor regional educational institution. Dr. Rocki-Lee DeWitt serves on GBIC's Board. UVM Medical Center is a priority project partner. UVM provides graduate students for mental health counseling partnerships.
• Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelps Vermont students of all ages save, plan, and pay for college and career training.
• Cherry Street Sewer ProjectminorOthersTop priority infrastructure project on Spring 2026 RPP List to accommodate housing and economic growth in downtown Burlington.
• Walk Bike Bridge ProjectminorOthersTop priority transportation project in South Burlington on Spring 2026 RPP List.
• Haystack Crossing DevelopmentminorOthers245-unit mixed-use housing development in Hinesburg, ranked #6 on Spring 2026 RPP List.
• Vermont Rail ServiceminorOthersRail service provider serving the region.
• Burlington TelecomminorOthersLocal telecommunications provider in the Burlington area.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce: Regional chamber covering the greater Burlington area, providing employer advocacy, networking, and legislative voice — overlapping with GBIC's advocacy services and serving a similar Vermont business community segment.
• Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation: Vermont regional EDO of the same model and mission as GBIC, focused on a different geography within the state. Former GBIC EVP Sam Andersen previously served as its president, illustrating the close functional and personnel overlap with GBIC.
• Greater Portland Inc: Public-private regional economic development corporation serving the Portland, Maine metro. Same structural model as GBIC — a designated regional EDO delivering site selection, incentives, workforce, and advocacy to area employers across multiple municipalities.
• Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation (Vermont): Adjoining Vermont county EDO where Frank Cioffi previously served as executive director. Closest geographic peer, performing the same industrial park development and employer-attraction function for a county adjacent to GBIC's territory.
• Burlington Community & Economic Development Office: City of Burlington's municipal economic development office that issues grants (e.g., $10K to Bia Diagnostics). Operates in the same Chittenden County geography with overlapping functions in incentives, permitting navigation, and small-business support.
• Saratoga County Economic Development Corporation: County-level EDO providing employer attraction, workforce, and incentive navigation services in upstate New York. Same nonprofit, single-county service model as GBIC, including industrial park operations and public-private partnership with regional planning agencies.

Broad incumbents

• Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA): State-level lender providing low-interest loans to Vermont businesses, led by incoming CEO Joan Goldstein (former VT Commissioner of ED). Closely partnered with GBIC on debt financing but operates statewide at a larger scale, making it a direct functional peer in employer capital facilitation.
• Vermont Agency of Commerce & Community Development (ACCD): State agency that 'sets the table for opportunity' by marketing Vermont, enhancing business climate, and disbursing incentives. ACCD and GBIC co-coordinate the Regional Project Prioritization List, making ACCD a direct state-level counterpart performing overlapping economic development functions.

Emerging players

• Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET): Vermont startup accelerator and $15M evergreen venture fund with board overlap (David Bradbury sits on both boards). VCET handles the startup/early-stage segment while GBIC handles site selection and incentives when those startups scale into employers.

Others

• Downs Rachlin Martin (DRM) Government Affairs: Vermont law firm whose government affairs practice GBIC engages for legislative advocacy (e.g., Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative). Adjacent ecosystem participant providing government-relations services that complement GBIC's advocacy pillar.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/greater-burlington-industrial-corp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Greater Burlington Industrial