LEARN | CONNECT | CREATE
CLOSURE
In an abundance of caution and in an effort to do our part in protecting our members and the community, The Lightning Jar will be closed starting on March 19, 2020 at 5pm until further notice. Should you have any questions or concerns please call 802-321-3070 or email us. Please refer to our Covid-19/Virtual Resources page with helpful information about virtual learning opportunities, local, state and federal resources for small businesses, and sites offering free activities to maintain health and well-being.
Be safe and stay well - together we will get through this!
The Lightning Jar Team
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SPECIAL NOTICES
***It is CRUCIAL that ALL impacted businesses notify the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) as soon as possible to establish eligibility for the full suite of assistance services the US Small Business Administration has been authorized to provide to businesses affected by Covid-19.***
ACCD is looking for data on impacts in the following areas:
-Economic Injury
-Supply Chain Workforce (including that caused by lack of childcare)
-Business Travel Visitor Travel and Tourism Activities
-Remote Work Capabilities
Please share these impacts with ACCD via:
Email: commerce.covid19@vermont.gov or
Dedicated Hotline: 802.461.5143 (staffed M-F, 7:45 - 4:30pm).
History & What We Offer
The Lightning Jar is a collaboration of business, non-profit, community, and government leaders from Bennington and across Vermont.
The major sponsor for The Lightning Jar is VSECU, a not for profit banking alternative for all Vermonters offering a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member owners. VSECU is collaborating with The Lightning Jar to host the coworking space within VSECU's Bennington retail branch that will forward our shared principles of membership participation, autonomy, independence, education, cooperation, and community sustainability.
More than coworking, The Lightning Jar is a entrepreneurship community offering connections between entrepreneurs and the support systems he/she/they need to be successful. Whether its connecting to a mentor, finding the right training, hosting a workshop or networking event, The Lightning Jar is here to assist early stage startups in the Bennington region.
The major sponsor for The Lightning Jar is VSECU, a not for profit banking alternative for all Vermonters offering a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member owners. VSECU is collaborating with The Lightning Jar to host the coworking space within VSECU's Bennington retail branch that will forward our shared principles of membership participation, autonomy, independence, education, cooperation, and community sustainability.
More than coworking, The Lightning Jar is a entrepreneurship community offering connections between entrepreneurs and the support systems he/she/they need to be successful. Whether its connecting to a mentor, finding the right training, hosting a workshop or networking event, The Lightning Jar is here to assist early stage startups in the Bennington region.
What's With the Name?
The Lighting jar is located at 194 North St. in Bennington. Historically, this was the home of Henry W. Putnam, one of Vermont’s greatest entrepreneurs. Putnam used his success in business to build up those around him, leaving lasting marks on the Bennington community, including: the local hospital, the public water system, and some of the area’s most iconic buildings.
Much of Putnam’s business success came from manufacturing, particularly one product - a small mason jar with a easy-to-close lid that used a clasp which Putnam had patented early in his career.
He called the product: The Lightning Jar.
Much of Putnam’s business success came from manufacturing, particularly one product - a small mason jar with a easy-to-close lid that used a clasp which Putnam had patented early in his career.
He called the product: The Lightning Jar.
Testimonials
"The Lightning Jar was an incredible resource for me when I began searching for a career working remotely in
software and needed a quiet, reliable space with internet access for interviews. Once I found a full-time position, I was
able to use the space for my daily work, and the other members were there when I needed to talk through a problem
or bounce ideas off of someone. TLJ also offers a lot of social events that helped foster a sense of community and
offered me chances to network and learn that I otherwise would have missed."
- Tosha Hawley
“The Lightning Jar has provided Pool Shark H2O with invaluable access to mentors and classes that would
otherwise be unavailable to local small businesses in the Bennington area. These services have
reduced the learning curve of growing our business in Vermont as we move towards profitability."
- Scott M Trafton, CEO & Co-Founder Pool Shark H2O Inc.
The Lightning Jar is a great place to get work done. When I work in Bennington, it is the first place I think of
when I want to plan out my day and work on my projects.
- Robert Braathe, CareerServiceStation
software and needed a quiet, reliable space with internet access for interviews. Once I found a full-time position, I was
able to use the space for my daily work, and the other members were there when I needed to talk through a problem
or bounce ideas off of someone. TLJ also offers a lot of social events that helped foster a sense of community and
offered me chances to network and learn that I otherwise would have missed."
- Tosha Hawley
“The Lightning Jar has provided Pool Shark H2O with invaluable access to mentors and classes that would
otherwise be unavailable to local small businesses in the Bennington area. These services have
reduced the learning curve of growing our business in Vermont as we move towards profitability."
- Scott M Trafton, CEO & Co-Founder Pool Shark H2O Inc.
The Lightning Jar is a great place to get work done. When I work in Bennington, it is the first place I think of
when I want to plan out my day and work on my projects.
- Robert Braathe, CareerServiceStation
Corporate Sponsors and Supporting Organizations
Benefactors
Sponsors
D.B. McKenna
Bennington Industrial Corporation
Bennington County Regional Commission
Town of Bennington
Bennington Industrial Corporation
Bennington County Regional Commission
Town of Bennington
The Lightning Jar prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital or family status. The Lightning Jar is an equal opportunity employer.