This project developed from a small Economic Development Commission subgroup that reached out to some super Williams College students in need of a mid-term project. We asked them to identify and then reach out to any small- to medium-sized town in the country that had successfully sought to entice new business—and find out how they did it. Startup funds similar to ours were mentioned by several towns as being effective, so we decided to seek an EDC seed grant to do a similar project. Word got out into the community about what we were trying to accomplish and soon some generous locals doubled the fund to its current size

I do hope that part of the message from this competition is that “Woodstock wants you”… We are open for business and there are people and organizations eager to help financially and otherwise. The important thing is that this competition is part of an effort by Woodstock to make inroads on getting new business, to have expanded housing opportunities, and to have adequate day care available.