Vermonters already know the benefits of Eating Local and Buying Local. Now Vermont is leading the way to Invest Local as a way to build a strong local economy. Communities thrive when people invest in each other. Entrepreneurs and small businesses gain access to “neighborly” capital to grow their company, while investors work toward their financial goals by investing in businesses they believe in. The whole community benefits as local jobs are created and wealth is recirculated through the local economy. Until recently, investing in start-ups and private companies was the realm of the accredited investor, roughly defined as an individual with more than $1 million in net worth. In June 2014, Vermont’s Department of Financial Regulation passed the Vermont Small Business Offering exemption (VSBO) which allows non-accredited Vermont investors the opportunity to invest in Vermont start-ups and small businesses.