Addison County Economic Development Corp. offers news bites of interest to our local businesses.

Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grant Program Update
Applications are still being accepted for the Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grants through the Agency of Commerce. Click here to apply. However, the amount set aside for Woman-owned business has run out of funds. Also, the portal for businesses that collect Sales & Use and Rooms & Meals taxes to apply for Vermont Emergency Economic Recovery Grants is temporarily closed. For more detail, click here.
 

CVOEO Launches EMBRACE program to Provide Grants to Microbusinesses
The statewide Micro Business Development Programs (MBDPs), operated by the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) in Addison County, have launched the EMBRACE grant program for micro-businesses. These grants are available to businesses with 0 – 5 employees in which the applicant (owner) makes 80% of state median income or less. The business must have been registered in Vermont on or before 3/1/2020. The business must have been financially affected by Covid-19. Grants cannot be approved for nonprofits. Applicants can request between $2,500 – $5,000 depending on their need. For more detail and to apply, click here. Micro business owners in Addison County can also contact CVOEO for free business coaching and technical assistance, as well as support in budgeting and building/repairing credit. More information can be found here. They are providing all services remotely.
 

Vermont Buy Local Program Launched
Vermont businesses are encouraged to sign up now for the #BuyLocalVermont program. More than 1,000 businesses have registered thus far. Businesses can enroll to take part in the program now, which will launch to consumers September 8, 2020 at 11:00am. Find full details on the process to sign up, as well as an informational slide deck and webinar here.
 

Hospitality and Tourism Industry Survey
The Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing (VDTM) is looking for businesses to help quantify the impact of COVID-19 across the tourism industry – from lodging to retail and restaurants to the arts – through participation in a survey. VDTM hopes businesses will take a moment to help us understand the economic loss and seasonal trends by filling out the survey and sharing it with industry partners or businesses to fill out as well. Responses are requested by Friday, September 11, 2020.