SBPA Chair Tod Whitaker, left, with member Frank Thornton at a recent social sponsored by the group.

How many businesses do you think there are in Shelburne? Big businesses and small, one-person home offices and highly visible businesses that employ large numbers, businesses that manufacture a product and businesses that sell services and ideas. You might be surprised to know there are 300 businesses in town. 

When a few members of the Shelburne Business and Professional Association got together last week to send letters to every business in town, they were facing a big job. But they were eager to encourage all the business owners to renew their memberships in the SBPA or sign up for a new membership.

SBPA has been in existence since 1996, but there has never been a better time to become a member. Why? Because many exciting things are happening in Shelburne and SBPA is the organization that speaks on behalf of Shelburne businesses. It will be important to ensure that businesses are represented in upcoming and ongoing conversations focusing on the town Master Plan, a Shelburne "brand," a new vision for Route 7 north of the village, as well as on local food systems and "green" identities, which are a hot topic here and all over the state. While cities and regions have Chambers of Commerce, in Shelburne we have the SBPA, which was established to build beneficial networks, share information on current issues and technologies, and to put our combined energy and expertise to work for the benefit of the town. 

SBPA has had its successes including developing an all-encompassing website, sponsoring the fun and informative Shelburne Day every August, and probably most dynamic, organizing the very popular and successful Shelburne Farmers Market, which brings people to Shelburne every Saturday in the summer to shop and enjoy the ambience of the town.

The foundation of the organization is firm, but more members will make it stronger. Your membership will help SBPA as it represents your interests in fostering economic growth and a brighter future for our town.

The Shelburne Business and Professional Association is a source of information, experience, and counsel for anyone doing business in Shelburne, for anyone seeking a product or service in the town, or for someone contemplating establishing a business or offering a professional service here in 05482.