At least 11 new businesses have set up shop in Bennington this year.
The majority of the new businesses are small, family-owned operations that include consignment shops, artisan bagel shops, financial planners, and spas. Some of them are looked at as resurrected versions of businesses that had gone out.
Officials tell the Bennington Banner there are currently 26 businesses involved in the town’s Revolving Loan Fund. Nearly $763,000 has been loaned. Businesses in the loan program added about 10 jobs to the area and retained five to seven others.
Officials also say more tenants are occupying Bennington’s larger buildings, which have been vacant for some time.