Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

Island Pond Woodworkers Alliance Pre-Feasibility Study and 2005 Plan

Tags: Business Development, Community Economic Development, Feasibility and Pre-Feasibility Studies, Research

Client Name: Vermont Employee Ownership Center

Client Type: Non-profit

Year: 2001, 2002

Location: Vermont

This project consisted of two phases. The first identified a mix of possible products that the former Ethan Allen employee group would be able to produce given their skills, knowledge base, opportunities for additional training, and an array of business/marketing strategies for each product group. Phase two produced a model for a profitable business. The Island Pond Woodworkers were able to break ground on their own factory, having multiple orders in hand. Yellow Wood Associates, Inc. teamed with Zeltsman Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in small business management, and, Kokkinis & Associates, a financial advisory firm based in New York City, whose primary focus is restructuring trouble manufacturing firms