COVID-19 money to provide free state college job training

MONTPELIER — Vermonters who have seen COVID-19 affect their employment can access more than 100 free classes and training opportunities this fall through the Vermont State Colleges System, thanks to a $2.3 million allocation of Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) from the Vermont Legislature. Funding provides tuition, supplies and support services to Vermonters who have been laid off, furloughed, had hours cut, or been employed in an industry that has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible Ver … (read more)

MONTPELIER —Vermont’s minimum wage is going up. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, the state’s minimum wage will increase 79 center per hour, from $10.96 to $11.75 per hour, Vermont Department of Labor announced. The calculation for this increase is in accordance wi … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Matthew Robinson and Serena Kim are planning ahead for a big wedding at their new acquisition, Middlebury’s historic Swift House Inn. Their own. It’ll be on July 3, 2021, which will carry symbolism for them for a number of reasons — not the l … (read more)

BRISTOL — Because of the pandemic, Bristol will not be holding its annual Harvest Fest this year, but it will host a Harvest Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participating Bristol businesses will be offering great buys, end-of-s … (read more)

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 … (read more)

Consumer studies consistently show that during the COVID-19 pandemic one factor potential customers consider before doing business with a store, company or service is how safe they feel.  One major July study from global research firm Ipsos reached this c … (read more)

Doug Hoffer, the state auditor, has been criticizing the Vermont Employment Growth Incentive Program, or VEGI, for more than 20 years. Hoffer wrote about the program in 1999, back when it was called Economic Advancement Tax Incentive, or EATI. Back then, … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Addison County’s largest employer on Friday announced a new staff leave policy, with the hope of minimizing the risk sick employees might pose to the campus community and to provide a financial cushion for those who may need to be quarantined … (read more)

The Agency of Commerce and Community Development this week launched the Restart Vermont Regional Marketing and Stimulus Grant Program. The program will provide $500,000 in grants to organizations for efforts and activities related to economic recovery, co … (read more)

SHOREHAM — One of the founders of WhistlePig Rye Whiskey in Shoreham this week was announced as the winning bidder for the former Green Mountain College property in Poultney, an asset he plans to maintain and operate for educational purposes. Raj Peter Bh … (read more)

Of the many business sectors that reported COVID-19 losses to the state this summer as part of grant applications, lodging stands out. Average monthly losses during the height of the pandemic, which were used to calculate the emergency economic recovery g … (read more)

The Addison County Economic Development Corp. next week will host a video chat for business owners and other employers called “Conversation with Child Development Division.” The Child Development Division of the Department for Children and Families would … (read more)

The Vermont office of the Small Business Administration has a lot going on in its efforts to help the business community. Here are some items of interest: 2020 Vt. Employee Ownership Conference Aug. 18 Learn about the unique benefits and challenges of emp … (read more)

ADDISON COUNTY — Lumberyards and building contractors seem to have experienced a surge in business in Addison County since the stay-at-home mandate was loosened in June. And building supply stores can’t seem to keep up with demand for one product in parti … (read more)

MIDDLEBURY — Mackey Auto Group of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has closed on its purchase of Middlebury car and truck dealership Denecker Chevrolet. The business, which as Denecker Chevrolet called itself Vermont’s largest franchised Chevrolet dealership, will … (read more)